Mike Tyson visits Chechnya to attend boxing tournament

Mike Tyson, former heavyweight boxing champion, arrived to Chechnya to be the honored guest at a boxing tournament in Gudermes, the republic's second largest city.

The national tournament is being held in memory of former Chechen President Ahmad Kadyrov, who was assassinated in a terrorist bomb attack in May of 2004.

The boxer arrived in the republic at the invitation of First Deputy Prime Minister of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov, Reports RIA Novosti.

“As an honoured guest, Tyson together with Ramzan Kadyrov will unveil in Gudermes today the second all-Russia boxing tournament in memory of the first Chechen President, Akhmat Kadyrov,” the press secretary, Muslim Khuchiev, said.

According to him, “Tyson has a lot of fans in Chechnya, particularly among young athletes, who used to admire his boxing skills and learn from him,” he said.

“There will be a full house at the tournament in Gudermes today,” Khuchiev said. Renowned sports celebrities of Tyson’s level have never visited Chechnya, even in the USSR era.

“Mike Tyson is a real athlete and fighter, he immediately accepted the invitation of Ramzan Kadyrov to visit Chechnya and become an honoured guest at the boxing tournament,” the press secretary said. “We shall welcome him as dear guest in accordance with Chechen traditions and will treat him to our ancient meal, zhizhik-galnash (meat with sauce and boulettes),” informs ITAR-TASS.