HEAVYWEIGHT boxing legend 'Iron' Mike Tyson, pictured, is set to come to York on a sightseeing trip, the Evening Press can reveal today.

The controversial former champion plans to take in the city's historic tourist sights, including Clifford's Tower and the Minster, as part of a two-day visit to Yorkshire.

He will be driven to York in a limousine next month by Doncaster-based superfan Andy Booker, who persuaded him to fly to the UK to visit his home.

The pair became good friends after Andy went to see Tyson's first fight in Albany, near New York, in 1984.

Andy, 41, a newsagent, who has arranged a team of eight minders to look after his guest while strolling around York, said they also hoped to go to a pub for lunch.

"Mike asked me if there were any historic castles or buildings close by he could visit during his stay," said Andy, a former miner.

"I told him about York and he's really looking forward to going. Mike is a chilled-out person these days and just wants to enjoy life."

Andy said Tyson, who has been booked into a countryside hotel in South Yorkshire, will go to his house for Sunday lunch and enjoy a few pints at his local pub.

"I met Mike at his first fight when I was on holiday in New York - he was only 18," Andy said.

"He noticed my Union Jack t-shirt. He invited me to his next fight and it just went from there. I've been to all his 56 fights and have paid for just three.

"We talk on the phone at least once a week." Andy said Tyson was a generous man, and once offered to give him a diamond bracelet worth £1 million - but he didn't accept it.

"He is a wonderful person - I've seen him give a tramp £100,000, but these things never get reported," he added.

"Mike will have a great time over here."

Tyson will appear at Doncaster Dome on November 21 for a speaking engagement as part of the visit.

Tyson, now 39, lives in Phoenix, Arizona. His last bout in June led to a surprising defeat by Kevin McBride.

Considered in his prime to be one of the most destructive boxers ever, Tyson won his first heavyweight world title in 1986 at the age of 20.

But his life became increasingly dogged by controversy, both in and out of the ring. He lost to James "Buster" Douglas in 1990, and was imprisoned for rape in 1992, while 1997 saw the hugely controversial incident in which he bit a chunk out of Evander Holyfield's ear during a title fight.

Updated: 13:25 Monday, October 24, 2005