Tyson - Size doesn't matter

Iron Mike rules out a return to the ring at the age of 43

Last updated: 3rd November 2009

Tyson: Ruled out a return to the ring

It's not necessarily the size of the guy; it is basically the spirit, the competitiveness in his heart

Mike Tyson
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DAVID AND GOLIATH
WBA Heavyweight title
David Haye v Nikolai Valuev
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Mike Tyson insists size doesn't matter in the ring ahead of David Haye's showdown with giant Russian Nikolai Valuev.

The British heavyweight is hoping to come away from Nuremburg with the WBA belt despite conceding almost 10 inches in height to his opponent.

However, during an interview with Sky News, Tyson feels the outcome would come down to each fighter's state of mind, rather than any physiological advantage.

And the former champion, who has arrived in the United Kingdom ahead of a promotional tour, feels Haye can be victorious - provided he believes that Valuev is beatable.

Psychological opinion

"It's not necessarily the size of the guy; it is basically the spirit, the competitiveness in his heart," he said.

"If the guy wants to fight he can be 4ft 2 and still fight a guy at 6ft 9. If you want to fight you're going to fight and you're going do well. It's just the average of the law in the sport of boxing.

"It depends on Haye's psychological opinion of the other fighter. It's all about the fighters' psychological opinions. If this guy feels this guy is beatable, he's beatable."

In an extended chat with Sky News' Dermot Murnaghan, Tyson also dismissed any chance of him making a return to the ring at the age of 43.

Indeed the man known as Iron Mike is not even interested in where he stands on the list of all-time great heavyweights, with his main focus now being his duties as a father.

"It's a matter of opinion over who you like. I like Larry Holmes, I like a lot of guys," the American added.

"To me being the best is not that important any more. When you're a little kid being the best is important.

"I'm now at the stage that I want to feed my kids, take care of my kids."