'Fan' Mike Tyson backs Wolves in survival fight

Wolves were today backed to pack a punch in their survival fight – by 'fan' Mike Tyson.

The former world heavyweight boxing champion was alerted to quotes from boss Dean Saunders likening the club's decline in fortunes to that of 'Iron' Mike.

Now 46, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champ in history at the age of 20, winning his first 19 fights by knockouts and is still the only boxer to unify all four heavyweight divisions.

He lost his titles in 1990 and was convicted of rape in 1992, serving three years in jail.

Tyson struggled to regain his place as No.1 after that, losing a fight for the heavyweight title in 2002 before being declared bankrupt in 2003 despite reportedly earning $300m during his career.

Tyson was shown Saunders' comments by his Birmingham-based former sparring partner 'Big' Joe Egan.

And 'Iron Mike' said: "He's right. I went from the best in the world to a very bad place.

"I don't know that much about football but it sounds like Wolverhampton have a manager who can turn the team around. Joe is going to let me know how they get on.

"When I'm over in England I would like to see them in action."

Saunders said recently: "Mike Tyson was unbeatable at one stage, but three years later everyone was beating him.

"If you're not the same animal that's had the success, you've got to get back to doing what you're good at. Are we playing with the same desire and enthusiasm or do we still want to win as much as we did?

"Some players got promoted from this league previously but that's gone."

Egan, who sparred with Tyson between 1983 and 1985, said the 'Baddest Man on the Planet' has an affiliation with Wolverhampton after kicking off his 'Come back to the fans' tour at the city's Civic Hall in November 2009.

"He did the show in Wolverhampton and took in the city and enjoyed the hospitality of the place and the people," said Egan, who lives in Moseley and keeps in regular contact with Tyson.

"Since then he's taken an interest, and he takes an interest in most places he goes to.

"When he went to Manchester and met Wayne Rooney, he gave him advice about fame, saying: "I've been there, with all the temptations, so just stay strong and focused and you will fulfill your potential. I never did."

Tyson is currently on a chat-show style tour of the United States, and is said to be winning his fanbase back.