Mike Tyson to star as murderer on Law & Order

Controversial former boxing champ Mike Tyson is set to sink his teeth into a grizzly new role on U.S. crime drama Law & Order: Svu.

The ex-fighter will play murderer Reggie Rhodes in his TV acting debut alongside series regulars Mariska Hargitay and Andre Braugher.

The role will be his first major acting part following a string of film and small screen cameos in The Hangover, Entourage and Breaking In.