Mike Tyson is coming to Sussex after all.

The controversial former world heavyweight champion will appear at an amateur boxing show to be staged at the Effingham Park Hotel, Copthorne, on Friday, March 24.

Tyson, a convicted rapist, was due to appear at the Brighton Centre later this month but the council pulled the plug on the show under pressure from women protest groups.

But co-promoters Scott Welch and Lee Greenwood have revived the show, claiming there is a big demand to see Tyson.

Welch, a former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion, said: "I would love to have brought him to Brighton and it is a real shame that we have not been able to do that.

"A lot of people in Brighton would like to have seen him.

"People have to forget the controversy and everyone deserves a second chance in life.

"He has served his time and should be left alone.

"People should enjoy the man who was one of the best boxers ever.

"He had an aura about him. People see him as the baddest man on the planet and he wanted to live up to his name.

"Everyone knows he messed it up and youngsters can learn from the mistakes he made.

"This might be the last time he is seen in this country for a few years.

"People should come and see him and make up their own minds."

Former world heavyweight champion Frank Bruno and middleweight king Steve Collins are also appearing at the six-bout dinner show.

Tickets are priced from £100 to £300 (champagne reception). For details call 01273 775503.