• Boxing

Haye was right to duck Klitschkos - Tyson

David Haye is ready to rumble © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: 'I'll bleed if I have to' - Harrison
  
• News: Froch predicts Haye v Harrison loser could retire
  
• News: Haye feels Harrison will freeze
  
• News: I feel like Mother Teresa ahead of Haye fight - Harrison
  
• News: Tyson warns Haye over Harrison's power
  
• News: Haye is looking scary - Booth
  
• News: Harrison can shock Haye - Lewis
  
• News: Klitschkos don't excite - Tyson
  
• Profile: Audley Harrison | David Haye

Mike Tyson believes that David Haye was right to avoid fighting the Klitschkos this year, because he is "not ready" to take on the fearsome Ukrainian brothers.

WBA heavyweight champion Haye has been heavily criticised for plumping for a bout against Audley Harrison instead of looking to unify the division by battling one of the Klitschkos.

But Tyson is adamant that Haye must bide his time - and get a few more defences under his belt - before going to war against Wladimir or Vitali. "Yeah [it's the right decision]. Don't fight [the Klitschkos] right away, get a couple more fights under your belt," Tyson told Sky Sports News.

"He's not ready right this second. You have to analyse your situation and say 'right, I'm not ready for them now' - but that's not to say you won't be ready for them at some time down the road."

Although Haye has already defended his belt once - against the veteran John Ruiz in April - Tyson believes that the Londoner will only truly announce his arrival on the heavyweight scene if he can overcome Harrison. "If he knocks out Harrison he has the opportunity to be a borderline star," he said.

"He has great looks - he's young, he's vibrant - if he takes his time and fights the right guys, the guys the Klitschkos fought, then let's compare the outcomes of those fights. I think he'd do better than he anticipated if he fought those guys."

But Tyson has warned Haye that the fight against Harrison may be more difficult than it would appear on paper, because the two have faced off against each other already during sparring sessions.

Despite Harrison's failure to translate amateur success - he won an Olympic gold medal in 2000 - into professional glory, Tyson insists that his familiarity with Haye will significantly level the playing field when the two meet on November 6.

"These guys know each other, so Harrison's not going to get intimidated - ever," he said. "All that success he had as an amateur can come into play right now because he has a lot more belief in himself. "

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.