Fight promoter Frank Warren accused politicians of manufacturing the controversy over Mike Tyson's entry into the UK for their own gain.

Warren, who is organising Tyson's January 29 bout against Julius Francis in Manchester, denied the two-day furore had handed him welcome publicity.

"I am pleased it has been sorted out. I said from day one that we acted correctly. All our applications went through the right channels and I was proved right," said Warren, who submitted a 67-page document to immigration officials pleading Tyson's case.

"This was all caused by people trying to get political gain. The bottom line is Mike Tyson has now been treated the same as a lot of other people who have come into this country who have previous convictions."

Warren appeared to suggest that there had never been any official block put on Tyson's entry to the UK.

"Not once have I had anybody telling me Mike Tyson could not come into the the country.

"The first communication I had was on Tuesday from the UK Immigration Office.

"They told me their position and sent me a letter outlining it and I responded and as a result of that permission has been granted."

Warren said he had since received a letter from Labour press secretary Alastair Campbell denying he had informed the media at a political briefing that Tyson would not be allowed into the country.

In the letter, Warren said Campbell blamed the confusion on a news agency report which quoted him as saying Tyson had 'very little chance of entering the UK' when in fact he was simply outlining the legal hurdles.

"Everybody picked up on what was a totally inaccurate report," said Warren.

Warren denied he would benefit from the publicity surrounding the fight.

"Of course the cynics will say that but it's not something I asked for.

"I announced the fight back in December and we sold out within 48 hours so it's not going to help me sell tickets."

Francis' promoter Frank Maloney, speaking from his fighter's training camp in Aldershot army barracks, told BBC News Online:

"I'm pleased it's all been sorted out and we can get on with the fight itself.

"It could all have been avoided but for politicians trying to score brownie points.

"In the end common sense has prevailed and a lot of politicians have been left with egg on their faces."

Francis: faced financial ruin

35-year-old Francis had stood to lose his £350,000 purse, plus thousands in training expenses, which would have left him bankrupt.

"I felt disgusted at the politics of the decision to not let Mike Tyson in because this is my chance to make a good living for myself, earn a little bit of money and put myself on the world stage of boxing," said Francis.

"I couldn't see why Mike Tyson was not being allowed in the country. I would have gone broke if this fight hadn't gone ahead and I made it clear to Frank (Warren) that I would have sued the Government.

After Francis' spell in prison, this fight has been seen as an opportunity for him to complete his public rehabilitation, just as Tyson has attempted to do since his conviction for rape.

"People make mistakes and people change and that's what I've done.

"I don't see why Mike Tyson should be punished every time he steps forwards, sideways or backwards."