Tyson, 47, was due in London this week as part of a promotional tour for his new autobiography Undisputed Truth, which included a photocall with journalists and a book signing at Waterstones.
His publishers said recent changes to UK immigration laws meant he was unable to travel to the country and has been re-routed to Paris instead.
Tweets posted on Tyson’s official Twitter account as recently as Friday suggest the boxer was unaware he would be hit by the changes.
He wrote: “So, UK fans, who is brave enough to get in the ring and ask me a question?”
Upon hearing that he had been banned from entering the country, Tyson said: “I was greatly disappointed when I learned of United Kingdom’s immigration law changes that went into effect December 2012.
Tyson was convicted in 1992 of rape and served three years of a six-year sentence. He also has convictions for assault, cocaine possession and driving under the influence.
Under the new immigration rules, any person who has been sentenced to more than four years in prison is barred from entering the country.
Tyson insisted in a film four years ago he had not been guilty of rape.
He was the youngest man to become world champion when he beat Trevor Burbick as a 20-year-old in 1986. He later bit off the ear of Evander Holyfield in a fight.