Tyson to become missionary to earn kids' respect

Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has said that he now wants to forget his hard-man image earned in the ring, and help people to restore pride in himself and win the respect of his children.

According to the Daily Express, "Iron Mike" wants to become a missionary and live in a hut in Burma.

The boxer was convicted and jailed for three years in 1992 for raping beauty queen Desiree Washington. In 1997, he caused a furore when he bit off part of boxer Evander Holyfield's right ear during a bout. His fortune disappeared as quickly as his reputation and he was declared bankrupt in 2003 after earning more than 260-million-dollars during his prestigious but infamous career.

 "I want to count for something. Not in the name of God or any religion but in the name of self-dignity. I feel I'm a clown, I'm a joke. I just want to do nice things so my kids can respect me," the 44-year-old now says.

Tyson credits third wife Kiki with making him a better person and a decent husband, saying: "I realised that if I wanted to have a healthy life and if someone was willing to love me, then she deserved the best I had to offer, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

"In order to make this work all the other stuff has to die."