Tyson takes to red carpet in Cannes

A SYMPATHETIC portrayal of heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson brought one of the most fearsome and controversial fighters in the sport's history to the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival.

Selecting from hours of documentary footage and mixing fight sequences with interviews and photographs, director James Toback tells the story of 'Iron Mike''s climb from his impoverished childhood to the pinnacle of his sport, and his subsequent dramatic fall.

Tyson paints the picture of a charismatic but troubled champion whose image transcended his own sport.

Tyson himself took to the red carpet in a grey suit, prompting loud applause from onlookers and festival-goers.

The former boxer, whose face is tattooed, looks significantly heavier than he did in his younger days as a 'heavyweight' champion.