Bradford boxing fanatic John Walsh has travelled the world watching the top heavyweights and he is predicting a quick finish to Mike Tyson's British debut fight tomorrow.

For the past 26 years he has crossed the Atlantic to see all the top fighters from Muhammad Ali through to current world champion Lennox Lewis.

Tomorrow the president of Bradford's Yorkshire Executive Sporting Club simply has to cross the Pennines to see one of his all-time favourites in action at Manchester's MEN Arena.

And, like his journey, he expects the fight with British champion Julius Francis to be brief.

Walsh, 57, said: "It will be short and explosive. Tyson still has awesome power and wants to register a convincing win. I'd never be surprised if it was over in the first round.

"This is his chance to re-establish his reputation and show to everybody that he is far from a spent force.

"I won't complain if the fight finishes rapidly. It is all about the occasion and the atmosphere. There's certainly plenty of that when Tyson is fighting."

Walsh has seen a number of Tyson's fights including his savage destruction of Michael Spinks at Atlantic City in 1988 and the infamous second clash with Evander Holyfield in 1997 when he was disqualified for biting the ear of the defending world champion.

He believes that the 90-second knockout of Spinks was the most chilling exhibition he has ever witnessed.

"On that night he could have beaten anybody in the world," he said. "His speed, power and angles were awesome.

"I have never seen a fighter knocked out by a right hook to the right side of his face. Obviously he is not as good now.

"All of the problems he has had outside the ring have affected him but he is still a fighter with magnificent power."

Walsh, who has been responsible for bringing many top sporting celebrities to the Yorkshire Executive Sporting Club, has been fortunate to meet Tyson on a number of occasions on his visits to the United States.

He added: "Despite all the headlines about his imprisonment for rape and other problems, there is another side to Tyson which people do not always acknowledge.

"Away from the ring he has considerable charisma and also does a great deal of charity work which goes unnoticed.

"Tomorrow I expect him to give a powerful display and delight a British audience."

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