By Rob Gillies

Mike Tyson has directed an expletive-filled rant at a Canadian television anchor in a live interview after the host brought up the former heavyweight champion's conviction for sexual assault.

Nathan Downer asked Tyson about his meeting with Toronto's scandal-plagued Mayor Rob Ford, who recently returned to work after a rehab stint. Ford is seeking re-election.

Downer asked: "Some of your critics would say, 'There's a race for mayor. We know you're a convicted rapist. This could hurt his campaign.' How would respond to that?"