On the eve of today’s homecoming festivities, Mike Tyson turned down an invitation to appear at a candlelight vigil for abused black women and apologize for raping a Miss Black America contestant.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, an organizer of Tyson’s return after three years in prison, said the group that invited Tyson was not truly interested in giving the former heavyweight champion a second chance, and Tyson would hold his own rally.

When asked why Tyson needed to be redeemed if he did not rape beauty contestant Desiree Washington, Sharpton said Tyson had admitted to other wrongdoing and wanted to improve his life in general.