Mike Tyson Goes on Pilgrimage to Mecca

The retired boxer, who converted to Islam during his 1990s incarceration, has reportedly arrived in Saudi Arabia on July 2 and planned to visit the sacred spot.

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Retired boxing legend Mike Tyson has reportedly embarked on a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. The sportsman, who converted to Islam during a jail stint in the 1990s, arrived in the Saudi Arabian city of Medina on Friday, July 2 and plans to visit the sacred spot on his tour of the country, according to the AFP.

Mecca is visited by an estimated 13 million Muslims every year as they make pilgrimages to the revered religious landmark.

Tyson, 44, turned to the religion while serving a 10-year prison sentence, later reduced to three years, for sexually assaulting beauty queen Desiree Washington in 1991. He recently admitted that he is "totally destitute and broke" after years of excessive spending, but still has "an awesome life" with his wife and kids.

 

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