Former champion Mike Tyson has paid the biggest compliment there is to Tyson Fury

They're both controversial figures in boxing.

Mike Tyson for his criminal conviction for rape and his namesake Tyson Fury for his outspoken comments on homosexuality and women. But now former heavyweight champion Tyson, who was once the most feared man in the heavyweight division, has come out in support of new champ Fury. And his comments really couldn't be more flattering on the man who dethroned Wladimir Klitschko from his decade-long domination of the division.

“I’m just happy he was the champ,” Tyson said. “You can say what you want about Tyson Fury, make fun of him, but there’s one guy in the US named Michael Gerard Tyson who’s so proud he has my name.

“We’re all laughing at him, laughing about him, but I’m on an ego trip. I’m sky high.

“The heavyweight champion of the world got my name. He is the best heavyweight champion of the world since myself.

“He is the man, I don’t care what anybody says.”

Fury was the subject of protests for his inclusion in the running for BBC's Sports Personality of the Year over comments he made about homosexuals - but denied being a homophobe.

But Tyson (Mike) was pretty blunt in his view on Fury's outspoken nature.

“I know this is going to sound ignorant, he can say what he wants to say,” he said.

“You know who are going to look up to him? The people who never thought they had a chance in their life.

“Are you nuts? Are you out of your mind? People who want to be junkies, they’re going to look up to him. I’m so proud of him, man."

Mike Tyson stars in Ip Man 3 which releases in UK cinemas this Friday January 15.