LONDON, JANUARY 17: Former World heavyweight champion Mike Tyson flew into Britain on Sunday amid tight security and controversy over his fight against British champion Julius Francis at the end of January.Around 100 security personnel including police, airport officials and Tyson aides, were on hand at Heathrow Airport to control some 400 reporters and fans who had gathered to greet the American, who flew in from New York on Concorde.``I have never known a reception like this at an airport for a boxer,'' fight promoter Frank Warren told reporters. ``I just want to get him back to the hotel safely in one piece.``Mike was concerned about the problems over the fight beforehand but he's obviously delighted that it is now on.''Britain made a late decision on Thursday to allow Tyson into the country despite his conviction for rape. For days, government officials had said Tyson's visit was purely a matter for immigration officials.Tyson touched down at the airport just hours after lawyers acting foranti-rape groups had been poised to launch a High Court bid to overturn the decision.British rules state that anyone convicted of a crime that carries a sentence of 12 months or more in Britain should not be allowed into the country unless they could demonstrate ``strong compassionate reasons'' for the trip.But Home Secretary Jack Straw granted Tyson leave to be in Britain until January 30 - the day after his bout against Francis in Manchester.Speaking in a television interview before Tyson's arrival, Straw said he was ``not particularly looking forward to his arrival''.Straw said in making his decision he had to balance his ``abhorrence'' at Tyson's criminal record and the ``inconvenience'' that would be caused to the public if the fight was called off.But solicitor Pat Wilkins, acting for anti-domestic violence and sexual assault group justice for women, said the decision by Straw to allow Tyson to enter the country was illegal.``Mr Straw has somehow interpreted the law to placate smallbusinesses. It is a blatant contradiction. Government has a strategy to tackle violence against women and then the home secretary lets a rapist into the country.''Wilkins said a final decision to seek a judicial review in the High Court would be made later in consultation with barristers.If successful, the legal move could lead to the fight in Manchester on January 29 being cancelled - spelling disappointment for 21,000 people who have bought tickets and financial disaster for the organisers.Tyson will head for the salubrious Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, near Hyde Park, where he is expected to stay until he travels to Manchester a week on Wednesday - although rumours that he had reserved under the name of Snow White were denied.
