WWE to put Mike Tyson in its HOF

Updated: January 30, 2012, 6:16 PM ET

By Dan Rafael | ESPN.com

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June for his serious exploits inside the ring, will be inducted into another hall of fame for his participation in the lighter side of fighting.

“
I was the youngest heavyweight champion of all time, but the most fun I ever had in the ring was with WWE.
” -- Mike Tyson

World Wrestling Entertainment on Monday announced that Tyson will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in ceremonies that will take place at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on March 31 -- the night before WrestleMania XXVIII, which will take place at the Miami Dolphins' stadium.

"I am honored to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame," Tyson said. "I was the youngest heavyweight champion of all time, but the most fun I ever had in the ring was with WWE."

Tyson has a long history with the sports entertainment company.

[+] Enlarge Tyson/Austin

Courtesy World Wresling EntertainmentMike Tyson put aside his "feud" with Stone Cold Steve Austin to declare him the winner of the main event against Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XIV.

In 1998, during his suspension from boxing after the ear-biting incident with Evander Holyfield, Tyson appeared on "Monday Night Raw" and had a staredown with Stone Cold Steve Austin and an ensuing brawl. That led to Tyson being named special enforcer for the main event at WrestleMania XIV between Austin and Shawn Michaels. When Tyson declared Austin the winner and Michaels disputed it, Tyson delivered a knockout punch to Michaels.

Tyson returned to WWE as a guest star on "Monday Night Raw" in January 2010, teaming with Chris Jericho in a tag-team match against Michaels and Triple H. But Tyson turned on Jericho and knocked him out, allowing Michaels to pin Jericho for the victory.

Tyson will be enshrined in the "celebrity wing" of the WWE Hall of Fame along with such WWE guest stars as Drew Carey, Bob Uecker, William "The Refrigerator" Perry and Pete Rose.

Tyson will be inducted along with Edge, The Four Horsemen and Mil Mascaras, among others. More inductees in the 2012 class will be announced by WWE during its television programs in the coming weeks.

Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.