Chile police block US boxer Mike Tyson from entering country

Former boxer Mike Tyson attends the super welterweight boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor on Aug 26, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. PHOTO: AFP

SANTIAGO (REUTERS) - Chilean police prevented US boxer Mike Tyson from entering the country citing non-compliance with immigration laws and were putting him on a flight home, the Investigative Police (PDI) said on Thursday (Nov 9).

Local media reported that the former world heavyweight champion was planning to attend an awards ceremony for action films taking place in Santiago, Chile's capital.

"Detectives from the International Police are re-boarding Mike Tyson for not complying with immigration law," the PDI said on its verified Twitter account on Thursday, alongside a photograph of Tyson walking in an airport with two individuals wearing PDI jackets.

The PDI did not specify which part of the law Tyson did not comply with, and did not immediately respond to an e-mail and a phone call seeking additional information.

Tyson served three years of a six-year US jail sentence for rape in 1992.

In 2012, New Zealand revoked an entry visa for Tyson after a charity that was going to benefit from his visit dropped its support due to his rape conviction.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.