Tyson Fury storms ring to demand fight with Deontay Wilder after KO (VIDEO)

In a scene that was more WWE than WBC, Tyson Fury stormed into the ring and demanded a fight with Deontay Wilder after the heavyweight beat Artur Szpilka with a stunning knockout at Barclays Center Saturday night.

Fury, who beat Wladimir Klitschko in November, was in Brooklyn to watch WBC champion Wilder beat the Polish fighter — who was still sprawled out on the canvas — when Fury hopped into the ring.

And after Wilder won Saturday's fight with a devastating ninth round knockout, the British loudmouth jumped through the ropes, slammed down his jacket and stormed around the ring.

With Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis looking on, Wilder and Fury then squared up with the Brit taking the microphone and shouting, "There's only one Tyson Fury. What have you got to say about that Deontay?"

"We all know Fury, you are just a phony, this is just an act," responded Wilder. "You know where I am, you know what time, you know what place, I ain't scared of nobody, I'll come to your back yard."

After getting in the winner's face, Fury crowed, "Any time! Any place! Anywhere. I'll fight you in your back garden.

"Like I did Klitschko, I'll beat you, ya bum, You're a bum."

.@BronzeBomber and @Tyson_Fury exchange words following Wilder's explosive KO in his title defense. #WilderSzpilka https://t.co/FwKrmOJ1zq

— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) January 17, 2016

Security stepped in to separate the two fighters and Wilder hit back at Fury, saying: "You can run around like you're a preacher all you want but you step in the ring, I promise you I will baptize you.

"This is an act. You're not a real fighter. This is an act. I don't play this. You should be an actor. This ain't WWE. 

"I would love to fight him next. Unfortunately I have other mandatories due. Make the date Tyson, I promise you." 

Fury dramatically gestured toward the crowd as he was booed by the fans and then escorted out of the Barclays Center by security.

A fight between Wilder and Fury may not have been signed yet — but you have to admit there is finally some interest being hyped in the heavyweight division.

Mike Tyson goes off on TV host during live interview (VIDEO)

Mike Tyson has been making the rounds in Toronto promoting his one-man show, Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth, at the Air Canada Centre, this week. He even hung around with Rob Ford, calling the admitted crack smoker “the best mayor in Toronto’s history” as they exited City Hall together on Tuesday.

During a Canadian talk show on Wednesday, when Tyson was asked whether his rape conviction from the 90s would hurt Ford’s mayoral candidacy, the former heavyweight champ became very upset.

Tyson started cursing before threatening the host on live TV. (WARNING: Graphic language).

Although it was a fair question, it seemed like the wrong time time to ask it — since Tyson the actor was appearing on the program to promote his solo show.

And it's the former heavyweight champ!

Tyson was convicted of rape in 1992 and assault in 1998. He pleaded guilty in 2007 to cocaine possession and driving under the influence. His ex-wife, Robin Givens, has accused him of domestic violence; he has not been convicted.

Ford was asked earlier in the day whether he has any problems about meeting with someone who has been convicted of rape. He said: “I’m not going to comment on his personal life.”

Many of Tyson’s remarks echoed Ford’s own excuses for his antics in the past. Tyson said “we all make mistakes,” that Ford has “overcome adversity,” and that Ford has a troubled past only because he has been under “24-hour surveillance” by the media.

Yup. It's the media.

Tyson to present Holyfield during induction into Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame: Report

Mike Tyson will get another chance to chew on the ear of Evander Holyfield when he will present Holyfield at his induction into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame next month.

Tyson, who famously took a bite of his opponent's ear during a 1997 title fight and was disqualified, is sure to lay on the shtick when his most famous opponent is inducted at the Tropicana on Aug. 9.

Since then, the two former heavyweight champions have put the whole ear-biting incident behind them and even spoofed the infamous moment in a Foot Locker commercial (below), when Tyson brings the ear back to Holyfield.



Holyfield is going in with George Foreman and Roberto Duran — a couple of other real characters from boxing past.

Mike Tyson posts 'Happy New Ears' on Twitter (PHOTO)

Some of Mike Tyson's relatives found these ear-shaped chocolate goodies in a sweet shop and sent a photo to the former heavyweight champion.

Tyson is getting a lot of play from his infamous 1997 ear-chomping fight with Evander Holyfield lately and, after a funny Foot Locker commercial and Broadway show poked fun at the incident, he posted a photo of these edible organs on Twitter with the caption, Happy "New Ears"!!!.

Shouldn't they simply be called Holyfield ears?

Happy "New Ears"!!! pic.twitter.com/IxHsgGDGn3
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) January 1, 2014

Mike Tyson barred from entering UK due to prison time served: Report

Mike Tyson can now add another chapter to his new autobiography Undisputed Truth after British authorities banned him from entering their country. Or at least attach a footnote.

The former world heavyweight champion boxer has been forced to cancel his book promotion appearances in London after discovering he is banned from entering the United Kingdom because of time served on rape charges, reports the mirror.com.uk.

Tyson, a convicted rapist, had been scheduled to be in London this week as he continues a promotional tour for his new autobiography, which included a photocall with journalists and a book signing.

His publishers Waterstone said recent changes to British immigration laws meant he was unable to travel to the country and has been re-routed to Paris instead.

Under the new rules, any person who has been sentenced to more than four years in prison is barred from entering the country.

Tyson was released from prison in 1995 after serving three years of a six-year sentence.

Tweets posted on 47-year-old Tyson’s official Twitter account as recently as Friday suggest the boxer was unaware he would be hit by the changes. And Iron Mike offered a challenge.

So, UK fans, who is brave enough to get in the ring and ask me a question?
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) December 6, 2013

Later, the ear-chomping fighter made it easier for the media to go a round with the champ.

Tweet me a question with #UndisputedTruthBook in it. The 5 best get to step in the ring & ask me it in person.
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) December 6, 2013

A spokesman for HarperCollins said: “There was a change in the UK immigration law in December 2012 of which we were unaware. For this reason Mike had to change location to Paris to salvage his press obligations for the UK.”

Tyson is currently booked in for a British tour for his one-man Broadway show, directed by Spike Lee, which is booked for eight nights in March next year in London, Glasgow and Manchester.

He was convicted in 1992 for the rape of a teenage beauty queen, and served his three years in an Indiana prison. He also has convictions for assault, cocaine possession and driving under the influence.

Mike Tyson plays Nintendo classic 'Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!' for first time (VIDEO)

It was a bout 26 years in the making but, former undisputed champion of the world, Mike Tyson was recently given the opportunity to play the 1987 hit game "Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!"

Despite lending his name to the title of the game, 47-year-old Iron Mike had never played the Nintendo classic. When the game was released in 1987, Tyson, then 21, had started a tour fighting the world's best heavyweights, having himself become the youngest heavyweight champion in history after beating Trevor Berbick at the age of 20.

It's understandable, then, that Tyson, who was becoming the biggest boxing sensation of his era, missed out on the gaming trend that was re-emerging in the mid-‘80s.

Tysons's hand at "Punch-Out!!" showed the former champ getting really into the fight with the game's first opponent Glass Joe (a pun on the term glass jaw, which hints at a very easy opponent.)

"Come on, Glass Joe! Take this, Glass, right up your a--!" said a very excited Tyson after being coached by a group of computer geeks in his corner . "Glass Joe, you punk! Up yours, dude!"

Though you don't get to see just how far Tyson makes it in the game, given the difficulty he was having with Glass Joe, it's hard to imagine that he made it all the way to the final title bout against the tough-as-nails 8-bit Mike Tyson.

What 26 years does to a body.

Mike Tyson hits the boards at Tony Awards

Mike Tyson walked down the red carpet at the 2013 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall Sunday night and you can bet it wasn't because someone got the former heavyweight boxer confused with his other Broadway namesake — actress Cicely Tyson — a winner tonight for her role in "The Trip to Bountiful."

Tyson was there to be a presenter and give a little juice to his one-man Broadway show "Mike Tyson: The Undisputed Truth." The former champ told NY1 News that the show will still tour and it'll be making a return engagement to The Great White Way this fall.

Looking dapper in a white tux, the soft-spoken Tyson said he still has dreams of doing a musical on the big stage. At least he got to do an opening number dance with host Neil Patrick Harris. Tyson appears at about 3:15 into the video and looks like he tries to take a chomp at NPH's ear.

Mike Tyson puts the 'Scary' in 'Fifty Shades' movie spoof

If women were tantalized by the erotic S&M book, "Fifty Shades of Grey," Mike Tyson just might scare them right out of their new found affection for sensual whippings, delicate handcuffing and soft porn love after they see him in the comedy "Scary Movie 5."

Even before the film adaption of the gazillion-selling romance gets a director, the book is being spoofed on the big screen in a scene featuring former ear-biting, heavyweight champ Mike Tyson, reports The New York Post.

The footage will air tonight on "ET."

From Page Six of the Post:

The "Fifty Shades" sendup in the next chapter of the "Scary Movie" franchise, opening April 12, features Jerry O’Connell as kinky Lothario Christian Grey, who tries to seduce Ashley Tisdale but winds up in a mess of whips, chains, hot wax, goats—and Tyson.

"Prepare for a night of unparalleled passion," O’Connell tells Tisdale after blindfolding her with a red mask. "Your safe word is . . . deeper."

Tyson appears from another room, grimacing in pain and telling Grey, "Golly . . . thanks for working on my prostrate like it was a speed bag." The deviant tycoon shoots back: "I was surprised by your performance as well. Not bad for a washed up, overweight, facially tattooed . . ." Tyson then decks O’Connell, who laughs, saying, “Do it again!” before ending up hanging in chains.

After that, O'Connell whips Tisdale who trips into a cabinet revealing a couple of goats in leather gear.

Oh for the days of Tyson bursting into song in The Hangover.

The actual "Fifty Shades" movie timetable is basically cuffed to a bedpost.  Author E.L. James recently told Page Six: "We don't even have a filmmaker."

Tisdale told Page Six she was initially "nervous" being around the the "intimidating Tyson, but admitted "it turned out hilarious."

Mike Tyson shoots down Chef Roble Ali's texting hoax

Chef Roble Ali  may learn the hard way not to mess with Mike Tyson's pigeons, his lisp OR his texts.

Bravo's baby-faced star chef almost opened up a can of whoop-ass when he posted a photo of the former boxing champ holding two of his prized racing pigeons face-to-face with the caption "Now Kith," taking a jab at Tyson's well-pronounced lisp.

The fighter — who once dined on Evander Holyfield's ear in the ring — reportedly didn't take lightly to the kitchen star's joke and allegedly sent a threatening text ( the exchange was posted on Roble's Instagram).

The boxer started, “How you do there Mr. funny man? You think that [bleep’s] funny making fun of my speech impediment? You know we always been cool when I see you in Brooklyn right? Well that [bleep] is over.

“I don’t know if you’re old enough to remember that game ‘Mike Tyson’s Punch Out’ but either way I’m gonna [bleep] you up when I see you like I did that little white boy in the game. You hear me you ostrich looking skinny cheffin’ punk? Laugh now, cry later.”

Too bad it was all a hoax.

Both parties say it wasn't Tyson sending any of the threatening messages and the Bravo star had fashioned the fake threats against himself.

Tyson's reps shot down the story that he had texted the scrawny cook and claim the fighter "never heard of the chef nor would he write anything like that."

In the next phony text, the supposed "Tyson" pulls his punches a bit.

Tyson and Holyfield have friendly reunion in supermarket

Former nemeses Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield met up in a Chicago supermarket and went toe-to-toe — almost 16 years since the last time they last met in a grisly boxing match in which Tyson bit off a piece of Holyfield's ear — but this time the two former boxing champs only chewed the fat.

The reunited pair were at Jewel-Osco on Chicago's South Side where Holyfield was signing autographs and promoting his new Real Deal barbecue sauce. This time the two foes were all hugs and smiles as they posed for photos together.

It brought back memories of a bygone era (ear-a?) when a Tyson or Holyfield fight was a must-see sporting event.

"I just wanted to see Evander, man," said a beaming Tyson.  "I love Evander.  I'm forever linked with him for the rest of my life."

"I think he was letting people know that he was wrong and what happened, happened," said Holyfield. "He appreciates that I forgave him.  He's forgiven himself. That's how you make adjustments in life."

Friendly words from 46-year-old Tyson — a fighter who once called himself "The Baddest Man On The Planet" — and a once-bitter Holyfield, 50, who didn't reconcile until 2009 on Oprah Winfrey's show — 12 years after the gory 1997 fight.

Tyson was already baring his soul on a two-day stop in Chicago during a tour of his one-man show after a run on Broadway.  In it, Tyson documents his rise and fall throughout his life and boxing career.

"The show is good," said Holyfield, who saw it in Las Vegas.  "The show is his way of coming back."

It was good to see the pair together letting bygones be bygones. You can bet Holyfield was careful not to drip any of his BBQ sauce on any body parts.

Tyson does credible job in 'Law & Order: SVU' role

In an ingenious — but at the same time sort of creepy — bit of stunt-casting, Mike Tyson went a few rounds with his first real dramatic role on NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" and, suffice it to say, ended up with split decision.

It was a nice departure for Tyson. who was used to parodying himself in the "Hangover" movies or reliving the dark side of his life in an autobiographical stage show that had a short run on Broadway.

On L&O: SVU, Tyson, playing a death-row inmate convicted of rape and murder himself, capably handled the role as the soft-spoken con who was framed. Tyson looked the same except for the real-life tribal tattoos on the left side of his face that were neatly hidden by makeup, soft lighting and right camera angles.

Tyson even live-tweeted during the show.




This particular role hit a nerve with rape victim groups after some complained that playing the part of a rapist was too close to the former heavyweight champion's own conviction for rape in 1992.  Tyson spent three years in prison for the crime.

The convoluted plot of Wednesday night's L&O featured actor Ed Asner — who got to chew the heaviest scenes as a child molester —but Tyson held his own with the L&O cast including scenes with always amazing Andre Braugher.

The only Emmy award I see going to this episode is for the superb makeup and lighting cover-up, but I'm sure NBC pulled in plenty of viewers curious about seeing Tyson — the actor.

Bradley Cooper segment banned from NFL Network show

Bradley Cooper has been banned from the NFL Network in a move that Hollywood honcho Harvey Weinstein is calling "censorship."

The star of the Weinstein Company's "Silver Lining Playbook" was set to headline Friday night's "Rich Eisen's Thanksgiving Special" with co-star Chris Tucker.  But after the segment was already taped and approved, the network was told on Wednesday by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's office to sack it.

The league's reason?  Because Robert De Niro's Eagles-obsessed character in the film is a part-time bookie.

 What's next?   Banning movies with concussions?

The awkward attempt by the NFL to bury its head in the sand has left host Eisen and his producers doing a last minute Hail Mary in the editing room.

An NFL Media rep confirmed, "The segment was pulled because the movie included content related to gambling on NFL games."

"The interview was planned for weeks," said a source. "The  network requested the interview."

Until Thursday, the segment from the Oscar-buzzing film was promoted online as the show's big interview.  There was even a photo of Eisen posing with Cooper and Tucker.  It was later replaced by a shot of Eisen and another guest, actor John Slattery.

Weinstein, never one to pass up a promotional opportunity, said, "We are deeply disappointed in the NFL's decision, and we are quite frankly surprised .  Pulling a pretaped interview with our stars is nothing short of censorship . . . [Silver Linings'] is not a film about gambling in the NFL.  It's a film about fathers and sons and football bonding a family together."

It looks like we'll just have to wait for next year's special to see the heartthrob Cooper promoting "Hangover III."  That movie will probably only have drugs, guns and Mike Tyson singing but, hopefully, no bookies.

Mike Tyson: I want to sing and dance in musicals like 'Billy Madison'

Mike Tyson faced reporters at an investor's forum in Hong Kong Wednesday and told the audience his next goal in life is to be like Billy Elliot.

"I want to dance and sing," said the former heavyweight champ.  "I want to do some dancing and singing musicals."

"I want to be like Billy Madison," said Tyson, apparently confusing the last name of Adam Sandler's man-child character for the boy dancer from the movie and play.  "Remember that show? Anybody see that? Remember he's a boxer.  He turns into a ballet dancer."

The former world heavyweight champion went public with his aspirations while addressing the CLSA Forum.

Tyson has sung in movies, commercials and variety shows all over the world.  Check out YouTube — it's full of them.  He just completed a short run on Broadway with his one-man confessional "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth" directed by fellow Brooklynite Spike Lee to some good reviews.

The fighter — who once called himself "the most brutal and vicious, the most ruthless champion there has ever been" — has apparently turned over a new leaf.

"I don't have the desire to be that guy anymore," Tyson told the audience. He said "that guy" couldn't have the loving relationship he currently has with his family.

The 46-year old Tyson sounded like he believes Billy Elliot — the title character from the musical about a boy who swaps boxing gloves for ballet slippers — could be his alter-ego.

Tyson — who won 44 of his 50 ring victories by knockout and bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear — just wants to put his brutal past behind him.

"I don't want to spread no more of that violence in the air," he said.

Kanye and 50 Cent check out Mike Tyson's Broadway debut

Mike Tyson's first show on Broadway may be getting lukewarm reviews but it is bringing out rap music's hottest stars— even though the star of the show got a couple of them mixed up during a shoutout during the show "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth."

On Tuesday, Kanye West and 50 Cent were among those who came out to the Longacre Theatre to see Tyson bring his life story to the stage.

Even though play is about the former heavyweight boxer's own life, it sounds like he flubbed a few of his lines.

According to the New York Daily News' Gatecrasher, Tyson ad libbed a couple of shoutouts to Fitty and "Puffy"— not Kanye— despite the fact that Diddy was nowhere in the house.

Tyson also took a shot at Fitty— a former drug dealer from the streets of New York— and worked it into the show.  As he talked about his past bouts with substance abuse, Tyson yelled out to the rapper," You know cocaine, right 50?"

After the Spike Lee-directed one-man show was over, Kanye and Fitty went backstage to congratulate Tyson and the director.

Mike Tyson's Broadway debut will be a Spike Lee joint

Spike Lee will be in Mike Tyson's corner when the former heavyweight champ makes his Broadway debut with his one-man show "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth."

TMZ reports that Lee is in final talks to direct Tyson's show which had a  week-long April run in Las Vegas.  Call it a Spike Lee Joint.

"Lee is gonna be involved," Tyson told the site.  "Oh yeah, it's awesome."

Lee was behind the recently cancelled HBO drama "Da Brick" which was loosely based on Tyson's rise in the boxing world and the people surrounding him.  It was like an urban version of "Entourage" and had that show's creator Doug Ellin involved as well. The title is the slang nickname for Newark, N.J. where the show was set.

Lee reportedly got the chance to see Tyson's show— which tells almost the same story of the boxer's triumphs and failures as a fighter and his tumultuous upbringing as the son of a pimp and a prostitute in Brooklyn.

The show was an up close and personal look at Tyson's life inside and outside the ring featuring images, music and videos.

The two men have reportedly talked with theater mogul Jimmy Nederlander Jr. to bring the show to the Great White Way— possibly by the end of this summer.

The show was originally performed at the MGM Grand where Tyson notoriously bit off  part of the ear of fighter Evander Holyfield during a championship fight.  Lee and Tyson are already making changes to the show to get it ready for Broadway.

Lee is no stranger to Broadway and made his debut with "Stalag 17" on 2007.  He also recorded the critically-acclaimed "Passing Strange" for a limited release film last year.

Mike Tyson might take his Vegas one-man show to Broadway

Famous ear-biting ex-boxer Mike Tyson's one-man show hasn't even opened in Las Vegas and the former heavyweight champion is already looking to take it to The Great White Way, according to TMZ.

Tyson's Vegas show "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth— Live on Stage" opens in less than a month at MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre in Las Vegas from April 13-18 and there is already a buzz about taking it on the road.  Tyson is waiting to see how ticket sales do before planning a tour.

If the show does well and a tour is planned, New York would be one of the first stops.

According to the report, Tyson has "always wanted to do a show on Broadway, and he feels this could be his chance."

Before Broadway snobs yell 'Mamma Mia,' remember former-boxer Tony Danza tap-danced his way into a part as Max Bialystock in the "The Producers" and is set to appear in a musical version of "Honeymoon in Vegas" next year.

Tyson's show is expected to feature the brutish ex-fighter telling stories about his troubled personal life and boxing career, accompanied by live music and video clips of him in the ring.

His dancing in the ring made him the world's most famous athlete for years and Tyson has already shown he can warble a tune in the two Hangover movies.

Tickets have been selling reasonably well,  but have not sold out.

While nobody will ever cast Tyson as the lead in "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" — well... you never know— his one-man show might be more aptly titled "War Horse."

Mike Tyson drops air bomb during halftime interview

It's not exactly the most shocking slip of the tongue in the history of celebrity interviews, but you might call Mike Tyson's on-air s---bomb during the New York Knicks halftime show a case of temporary Linsanity.

The former heavyweight champion was being interviewed by MSG Network's Jill Martin at the Knicks-Kings game when he let the four-letter word fly.

Asked by Martin what was the "dumbest money ever spent in his life," Tyson replied:  "Anything I ever had.  Anything I ever had was dumb," before laughing and blurting out "There was some dumb s---."

Tyson, who seemed to catch his verbal gaffe, sheepishly put his hand to the side of his head and moved on.

Other tidbits we found out about Tyson were that he is the proud owner of between 2,500-3,000 pigeons and thinks his hidden talent is singing but will only warble a tune for money.

One of the last questions Martin asked Iron Mike is if he had one life do-over what would it be?

"That ear thing was pretty heavy," he said referring to taking a bite out of Evander Holyfield's ear during their 1997 fight.  "I wish I could do that one over."

""You'd take that back?" asked Martin.

"Yeah," Tyson said.  "At least not his ear."

HBO Developing Dramatic Boxing Series Based On Mike Tyson

HBO has ordered a pilot from Doug Ellin, the writer and producer of "Entourage," for a dramatic series based on the rise of a fictional Newark, N.J. boxer.  Ellin has enlisted Spike Lee and Mike Tyson to co-produce.

"Da Brick" is the title of the series about the up and coming fighter loosely-based on Tyson's own rise to fame as a boxer. 

The idea for the project stemmed from a conversation Tyson had with Ellin while the former heavyweight champion was doing a guest spot on "Entourage" in 2010.

"Why don't you do with my life what you did with Mark's [Wahlberg] life on 'Entourage?' Ellin said Tyson asked him while on the set.

Simple as that, a gritty new series was born.

The title "Da Brick" is a reference to Newark being know as "The Brickyard City" or "Brick City."

Ellin will act only as producer of the series with co-producer Jim Lefkowitz while "Entourage" ends it's eight year run on HBO.  The head writer will be John Ridley, Lee's co-writer in a film-in-development about the Los Angeles riots.

It is not known if Tyson will hone his "Hangover 2" acting chops and appear in a  role or guest spot on the series but, his wife, Lakiha Tyson will co-executive produce with Azim Spicer.

Lee's people have been scouring local New York City area boxing gyms for locations and actors.  The casting directors are looking for actors who "have chops" and fight experience.

By basing a series on the dwindling fight game, does HBO have a Pacquiao or a patsie on it's hands?

Wahlberg produced "The Fighter," last year's Academy Award nominated and winning film about boxer 'Irish' Mickey Ward and his brother Dicky, which successfully brought the world of boxing to the masses.

On the other hand, FX's "Lights Out," a fine series about a fighter coming out of retirement, was cancelled after a single critically-acclaimed season. 

Even if Tyson doesn't appear in the series, it will probably not be too difficult to separate the fiction from the facts regarding the one-man demolition crew.  There is too much of his life that was public domain.

Both inside and outside of the ring, Tyson's recollections alone bring a solid foundation of incidents for the writers to incorporate into the scripts.  The out-of-control fighter has endured both the glory, the scandals and the shame behind the sport.

I wonder if there will be pigeons and facial tattoos?

Mike Tyson Not First Athlete Involved In Tattoo Copyright Case

All of the drama being played out the past few weeks regarding a copyright infringement case against  the replicated Mike Tyson tribal tattoo the new film "The Hangover 2" by the tattoo artist has a couple of precedents involving sports stars and their tattoos to base the case on.

In 2005, Rasheed Wallace and Nike were sued by tattoo artist Matthew Reed for featuring Reed's ink work in a commercial.  The artist claimed the Egyptian-style tattoo on the basketball star's right shoulder was his artwork and sued the shoe company for copyright infringement.

"If you are going to make money from it [a tattoo], you should get the artist's permission," Reed claimed.

The case was later settled.

London-based tattoo artist Louis Malloy, and former friend of David Beckham, sued the soccer star for exploiting his needle work in an advertising campaign.  The artist, who inked nine of Beckham's tats, wanted a percentage the ad campaign which featured Beckham's body and his tattoos prominently.  Malloy claimed the artwork was his creation and said copyright royalties were due his way.

The Daily Mirror in London even ran a tabloid headline which quoted Malloy, "I own Beck's Tattoo...and I'll Sue." He's still suing.

Tyson isn't being held responsible by Victor Whitmill--the former Las Vegas tattoo artist who did the tribal markings on the former-boxer's face.  Whitmill has gone before a judge in St. Louis to block Warner Brothers Entertainment from releasing HO2.  It doesn't look like Whitmill's frivolous suit has much merit and he should be thankful for the free publicity he is receiving get back to labeling women with tramp stamps.

The whole episode raises a lot of copyright questions like what if somebody gets a copy of a hanging Andy Warhol painting or the Rolling Stones' iconic "lips and tongue" logo (must be a million of those out there) tattooed on their body, is it stealing or copyright infringement?  Who does own the body art?

In layman's terms, the U.S. Copyright Law: Title 17 says unless there is a written contract otherwise, the person who paid for the tattoo is the owner of said tattoo.

So expect HO2 to be in theaters this weekend and Beckham to continue his quest to cover his body with more tats than Michael Scofield (his hero), the tattooed character from the cancelled TV series "Prison Break."

Mike Tyson To Join "The Hangover 2" Cast in Thailand

By Tony Mangia

IRON MIKE SAYS HE'S FINE WITH MEL GIBSON

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will fly to Thailand next month to film "The Hangover 2."  The sequel to last year's monster hit comedy has been making headlines for recently firing Oscar-winning movie star Mel Gibson.  Cast members of TH2 refused to work with the troubled Gibson because of his well-publicized drunken and bigoted outbursts and a custody and cash battle with ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva. Tyson, a convicted rapist and admitted wife-beater, did a deadpan portrayal of himself in the first movie and is being readily accepted by his cast mates.

Director Todd Phillips vowed to find a role for Tyson in the sequel.  "He's (Tyson) been texting me,"  said Phillips in the past, "We're going to find something for him."

In deference to his cast mates, Tyson said he 'd "One hundred  percent" work with Gibson.  "I'm not ever in my life point my finger at anyone," Tyson said, "I don't live in a glass house.  None of us do.  I work with anybody, as long as they're respectful," the ear-biting ex-fighter added.


While Tyson passed  the morals board at TH2,  Gibson  was released from his role as a tattoo artist.  Gibson was locked into the role until stars Zack Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper  and  Justin Bartha complained about Gibson's past incidents and alleged assault and threats to his ex. Phillips finally relented and fired the "Lethal Weapon" franchise.  Liam Neeson has reportedly replaced the ousted Gibson.

The Thailand backdrop with it's sex-slaves, AIDS epidemic and 12 year-old prostitutes should be a comedy goldmine for the remaining TH2 cast.

Tyson wants no part of the controversy.  "We all have that guy--a Mel Gibson--in us," he explained, "We just don't want people exposed to it.  Maybe he needs to get help.  I am not against him, but I'm not for him."

After he finishes filming in Thailand, Tyson will head perform the duties as the Chinese "Boxing Ambassador to the World" in December.  "I didn't even know what an ambassador was," confessed the Mao-tattooed Tyson, "When I think of ambassador, I think of living off the government and jet-setting with girlfriends."  Sounds like a good premise for "The Hangover 3."