You've got that mixed-up. Tyson was on a speaking tour in Britain around the time Haye fought Valuev and was asked numerous times about the fight, giving Haye advice on beating a giant and stuff.
However, I too remember Tyson saying he doesn't know who Haye was at one time. Which is perfectly understandable. The cruiser division has never been a glamour divison. So why would any non-hardcore American fan know a Britsh cruiserweight operating in Europe? Or a young British heavyweight?
Same thing as Donaire/Montiel. It doesn't matter how highly regarded you are as a boxer, If you are not in multi-million dollar matches, packing out Vegas casinos with famous celebs littered all over ringside, you wont be known outside the American hardcore. And just because Tyson is a former fighter it doesn't mean he still follows the sport.
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