Tyson promised hostile reception

Demand for tickets is reported to be high

Trades unions have announced plans for a series of protests against Mike Tyson's fight in Glasgow next month.

They have promised to "make their feelings known" following the home secretary's decision to allow the former heavyweight champion and convicted rapist to enter the United Kingdom for the second time in a year.

Organisers of the fight against Lou Savarese at Hampden Park on 24 June said they have been inundated with requests for tickets for the bout.

However, the Scottish Trades Union Congress said it had also received a flood of calls from people protesting at the Tyson decision.

Rozeanna Foyer: "Make our feelings known"

Spokeswoman Rozeanna Foyer said: "We may not be able to change the home secretary's decision on this but I think we should certainly be making our feelings known.

"We will be organising, we will be writing to people, we will be out on the streets and we will be in the faces of the Home Office and the Scottish Football Association on this issue.

Following Jack Straw's announcement that Tyson could enter the UK, the SFA confirmed that the national stadium at Hampden would be the venue for the fight.

The SFA said its decision was based on purely commercial considerations, provoking further anger from MSPs and women's groups.

Chief executive David Taylor said he had acknowledged the views of those against the fight but promised that it would be "a showpiece" for the newly rebuilt stadium and the city of Glasgow.

Tyson: Second visit this year

Tyson was the focus for protests when he arrived in Manchester to fight Julius Francis in February but opponents of the latest fight have promised a more hostile reception on this occasion.

But one man delighted to hear of Tyson's imminent arrival was bantamweight Brian Carr, who has been confirmed as one of the fighters on the bill that night.

The Moodiesburn fighter announced his retirement immediately after his fourth title defeat when Nadel Hussein beat him on points at Kelvin Hall earlier this year.

But the 30-year-old had a rethink after receiving dozens of messages of support.

He said: "I am really looking forward to it. I have never boxed outside before so to do so on the same bill as Tyson will be a great experience.

"It is all the sweeter because I was definitely finished in the fight game just a couple of months ago."

Carr's opponent has yet to be confirmed but he will be fighting alongside fellow Scot Barry Hughes on the Tyson bill.