Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson believes that David Haye has the charisma and talent to become the best heavyweight boxer around, but he still has to prove himself against the Klitschko brothers.

Haye made the first defence of his WBA title in stopping John Ruiz earlier this year, but has not agreed a date with the Ukrainian-born Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko.

Instead, he has been strongly linked with an all-British showdown against Audley Harrison on November 13.

Tyson, who became the youngest heavyweight champion in 24 years ago, said: "I cannot see Haye versus Harrison being anything other than a warm-up fight and David does not need warm-ups at this stage of his career."

"He won the title fair and square in beating Nikolai Valuev and defended it well against Ruiz, so now it has to be time for the Klitschkos. They are the opponents he should be facing," The Daily Express quoted Tyson, as saying.

"I'm a big David Haye fan as he has the charisma and smarts to be the best heavyweight out there, but he is not going to prove that by beating Harrison. Haye needs to lighten up the heavyweight division and he can become its saviour by fighting and beating the best. That is the only way to do it in boxing," he said.

Tyson won the WBC title in November 1986 aged just 20 years and four months and unified the division within a year. (ANI)