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Toronto - Former boxing champion Mike Tyson directed an expletive-filled rant at a Canadian television anchor in a live interview on Wednesday after the host brought up the former heavyweight champion's conviction for sexual assault.
VIDEO: Mike Tyson goes crazy on live TV
CP24 news anchor Nathan Downer asked Tyson about his meeting with Toronto's scandal-plagued Mayor Rob Ford, who recently returned to work after a rehab stint. Ford is seeking re-election.
Downer asked: "Some of your critics would say, 'There's a race for mayor. We know you're a convicted rapist. This could hurt his campaign.' How would respond to that?"
Tyson called Downer negative before saying, "It's so interesting, you come off like a nice guy," then insulting the anchor with a string of profanity.
Downer then put up his hands and said: "Hey, come on. We're doing live TV now."
Tyson responded with: "I don't care. What are you going to do about it?"
Downer then asked Tyson about his one-man show "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth." Tyson appeared on CP24 with the Canadian promoter of the show.
Tyson then told Downer the show "speaks for itself" before the promoter talked about it.
Downer then asked Tyson if it was more nerve-wracking appearing on stage than boxing.
Tyson responded that it was more nerve-wracking appearing on the news show before he insulted Downer again.
"Come on, Mike," Downer responded.
Tyson insulted him again before Downer wrapped up the interview and thanked Tyson for coming as Tyson swore at him.
Tyson served three years of a six-year sentence in the 1990s for raping a teenage beauty-pageant contestant.
In a tweet after the incident, Downer said it was unfortunate his question hurt Tyson's feelings and that it wasn't his intention.
"I'm okay everybody," Downer tweeted.
Downer apologised for the language and followed that up with another tweet.
"No ill will toward Mike Tyson. He lashed out at me and that's okay. Not taking it personally."
