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FIGHT legend Mike Tyson has told David Haye to develop a mean streak if he wants to save the heavyweight division.
Boxing's big boys have failed to fill the void since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003 and Tyson called time on his career two years later.
A number of pretenders to the throne have come and gone but no one has managed to dominate in the way Lewis and Tyson did.
Haye is the latest fighter to claim he can revitalise the weight class and the undisputed cruiserweight champion has drummed up plenty of interest — despite only having two heavyweight fights under his belt.
But Tyson, 42, insists the Hayemaker and Co must start delivering hard-hitting action on a regular basis to grab the attention of fight fans.
He said: "There are good fighters in the heavyweight division, just no superstars.
"There's nobody that stands out, who's dynamic and exciting and putting up breathtaking knockouts.
"They don't like to say it but the brutal knockouts are what bring people to fights.
"You need excitement. You can win as many fights as you want but to get the money and the big paydays, you have to be exciting.
"People have to want to spend their money to come and see you.
"But once you get another star in the division, it'll be back to where it was before."
Boxing's big boys have failed to fill the void since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003 and Tyson called time on his career two years later.
A number of pretenders to the throne have come and gone but no one has managed to dominate in the way Lewis and Tyson did.
Haye is the latest fighter to claim he can revitalise the weight class and the undisputed cruiserweight champion has drummed up plenty of interest — despite only having two heavyweight fights under his belt.
But Tyson, 42, insists the Hayemaker and Co must start delivering hard-hitting action on a regular basis to grab the attention of fight fans.
He said: "There are good fighters in the heavyweight division, just no superstars.
"There's nobody that stands out, who's dynamic and exciting and putting up breathtaking knockouts.
"They don't like to say it but the brutal knockouts are what bring people to fights.
"You need excitement. You can win as many fights as you want but to get the money and the big paydays, you have to be exciting.
"People have to want to spend their money to come and see you.
"But once you get another star in the division, it'll be back to where it was before."
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