In the ring he was known as Iron Mike he famously bit a chunk out of an opponent's ear.

He has convictions for rape and assault and was banned from appearing in Brighton, such is the controversy which surrounds him.

But to artist Julie-Anne Gilburt the former world heavy-weight boxing champ Mike Tyson is nothing more than a big, tatooed pussy cat.

Ms Gilburt's portrait of Tyson was signed by the fighter and made almost £3,000 when it was auctioned for charity on Friday.

Ms Gilburt met him twice and said she actually felt sorry for Tyson, who is on a speaking tour of the UK.

She said: "He looked pretty exhausted as he is being dragged all the way round the country on this tour.

"I couldn't really speak to him at the auction because people just crowded round him - he was being treated like a freak show."

The portrait of Tyson was auctioned at a boxing gala at Effingham Park Country Club and the money from the sale will go to Whoopsadaisy children's charity.

Ms Gilburt, from Brighton, said: "If I had any control over the signing I'd have asked him to just sign it in the corner - instead he's signed it right across the forehead! But his signature is worth more than my painting so I wasn't going to argue."

The picture was painted from photographs of the boxer as Ms Gilburt could not meet with him beforehand.

She said she was concerned about how to represent Tyson, who is trying to leave his controversial reputation as boxing's hard man behind.

Convicted of rape in 1992, he was also suspended from boxing for a year after biting a chunk off Evander Holyfield's ear.

Ms Gilburt said: "He was a difficult character to portray. I wanted to have quite a pensive look. I didn't want to do a fighting, aggressive piece."

Although Ms Gilburt is best known for her abstract work she studied figurative art at college and lately seems to have turned into the unofficial portrait artist of the boxing world.

She recently painted Michael Watson, the boxer who suffered brain damage after he was injured in a bout with Chris Eubank. Ms Gilburt painted three portraits of Watson and said he picked as his favourite the one representing him as he was before the accident.

She said: "He is a lovely, lovely guy. He's been to hell and back and he is so kind and perceptive of life.

"The accident has left him with slower responses but he is very astute and very spiritual."

There will be more boxers on display at Ms Gilburt's gallery at arch 283a, Madeira Drive, Brighton this weekend.

Artist and actor Chris Ellison is known for his portrayals of the boxing world. His latest exhibition is on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9pm.

While Ms Gilburt focuses on boxers Mr Ellison has diversified into painting dancers, speed-skaters and characters from Dickens novels.