Bradford boxing fan John Burton could well be Britain's bravest man.

The factory worker said he has turned down a string of pleas from Iron Mike Tyson to part with one of his most treasured possessions.

Tyson had waged a week-long campaign to wrestle an oil painting of himself from John's grasp.

John said Tyson asked him to name his price for the painting of the former undisputed world heavyweight champ as a young fighter after they met in Tyson's sumptuous hotel suite.

But John stood firm and delivered a knockout blow to Tyson and his camp by refusing to sell the picture - despite the prospect of gaining big bucks.

He said a Tyson aide bandied about a five-figure sum for the painting, which John's wife Pauline bought for just £75.

The boxing giant - in Manchester for tonight's battle with Julius Francis - even suggested he send a limousine to collect John from his Bradford home.

John said Tyson wanted to whisk him in luxury to a London hotel to negotiate a deal over the painting, the work of

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