Animal Planet launches Mike Tyson pigeon-racing reality series

US cable network Animal Planet is to launch a reality show Taking on Tyson that follows boxing champion Mike Tyson and his involvement in the world of pigeon racing.

The Discovery-owned factual broadcaster has commissioned UK indie Touch Productions, which is run by Malcom Brinkworth and has produced series including Dallas DNA for Discovery, Love in Numbers for TLC and Virgin Memories for BBC2.

Taking on Tyson, which will be coproduced by Tyson’s Tyrannic Productions, looks at the former world boxing champion’s love for pigeons and sees him compete against a number of other pigeon trainers to become pigeon champion.

The show will start filming in the next few months and will launch at the start of 2011.

Discovery International is expected to distribute the series around the world.