Former world heavyweight champion and boxing icon Mike Tyson is set to visit China to promote the sport on May 23, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) has announced.

According to Xinhua, the American former professional boxer was elected as the IBF's most-favorite boxing star on the federation's official Weibo account. Prior to his arrival, Tyson, 49, will be posting a video to say hello to his avid Chinese followers.

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The International Boxing Hall of Famer will attending the weighing ceremony of the upcoming 2016 IBF World Championship Bout on the 24^th of May, which will be staged on the world famous Chinese Great Wall.

Tyson is also scheduled to give a speech on the 33^rd Annual IBF/USBA Convention about boxing promotion in Chins. After his speaking engagement the Brooklyn, New York native will be attending the Bout on the 25^th of May.

Former WBC minimumweight champion Xiong 'X-Man' Chaozhong of China will be facing the Colombian fighter Jose A. Jimenez. Female boxer Cai Zongju will have the opportunity to become the first Chinese IBF female world champion when she faces Thai boxer Samson Tor Buamas for the mini-flyweight title.

The ruling IBF world flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand will also defend his flyweight title against Filipino challenger John Riel Casimero. Ruengroeng prevented China's boxing sensation Zou Shiming from claiming his first world title by defeating him.

Tyson is considered to be one of the greatest boxers ever. Among the many awards and honors the famous fighter has received are the Sugar Ray Robinson Award (1987 and 189), Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year (1986 and 1988), BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality (1989), and International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 2011).

Tyson is a two-time WBC and WBA heavyweight champion and also held the IBF heavyweight title.

TagsMike Tyson, IBF, Zou Shiming, xiong chaozhong, cai zongju