Iron Mike Tyson en route

Legendary American boxer Mike Tyson will visit Prague for the first time in late October. The youngest-ever heavyweight champion of the world will appear at a celebrity party and fundraiser at the Žofín Palace Oct. 22. The evening will feature live Cuban music, a classical music concert and also a charity auction, with the yield going to the children's ward at Prague's Motol hospital and the charity fund run by President Václav Klaus and his wife, Livia. During the gala night, the 44-year-old Tyson will speak about his stunning career and controversial life.

Apart from knocking out his opponents in the ring, "Iron Mike" became known for controversy in his private life. In 1992, he was convicted of raping Desiree Washington, a contestant in the Miss Black America contest. He was released early for good behavior after serving three years in prison.

Upon his release, he returned to the ring, eventually taking on Evander Holyfield in the still infamous 1997 world championship fight in which a frustrated Tyson bit off part of Holyfield's ear. As a result, Tyson lost his boxing license for one year.

Petr Havrda, the promoter for Tyson's Prague visit, said the controversial boxer has changed his ways and is "a very fine companion."

"He's changed his philosophy," said Havrda, who has personally met with the boxer three times in recent years.

"Kid Dynamite" may also lead a boxing training session during his one-week stay in Prague, Havrda said. But Tyson is retired and will not step into the ring himself. In order to avoid possible controversies, Tyson will travel with a team of bodyguards.

"But it'll rather be protection for people around him than for Mike himself," Havrda said. "However, I believe his trip to Prague will be smooth."

Tyson will kick off a European Tour in Prague and will continue on to Belgrade, Moscow, Vienna and Monaco.

"We hope to stage a glamorous start of his tour," Havrda said.

Apart from the gala night, Tyson will also appear on a TV show and take part in a VIP lunch and dinner. He will also visit the children's ward at Motol hospital. On top of that, the boxer asked to take a horse ride "somewhere on the outskirts" of town, a cruise on the Vltava River and a tour of Prague Castle.

"I was truly impressed how well-informed Tyson is about Prague," Havrda said.

Hockey fears bankruptcy

The new government's effort to slash the state budget deficit and the related spending cuts to sports could undermine the position of Czech hockey, Czech Ice Hockey Association Chairman Tomáš Král has warned.

"The situation is critical," Král said in response to the 2011 state budget blueprint, which lowers state subsidies to sports by some 160 million Kč ($8.5 million).

"Should such cuts materialize, our teams would not be competitive on the international circuit any more," he added.

The Czech national hockey team unexpectedly won the gold medal at the 2010 World Championship. Prior to the victory, many noted an overall decline in Czech hockey, based on results from recent years in major international tournaments. Král says that lower state subsidies will cost Czech hockey any future chance of success.

"Given the current fragile economic situation, it's quite difficult to find new sponsors for hockey," Král said. "Professional hockey - and, to an extent, amateur teams too - are being financed through corporate sponsorship. We only receive 50 million Kč annually, and that goes mostly to youth teams."

Král said representatives of political parties had promised before parliamentary elections in June that they would increase state subsidies for sports.

"Instead, they are making dramatic cuts," Král lamented.

František Bouc can be reached at
fbouc@praguepost.com