Cooper backing Lennox

Mike Tyson still has knockout power

British boxing legend Henry Cooper is backing Lennox Lewis to beat Mike Tyson should the two ever meet in the ring.

The former British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion was impressed by Lewis' revenge victory over Hasim Rahman in Las Vegas.

And he thinks the world champion would have too many weapons for a diminished Tyson, should their promoters manage to agree terms for a big-money clash.

"Lewis wins on temperament," Cooper told BBC Sport Online.

Cooper likes the Lewis jab

"That's what sets him apart. He is a cold, calculating boxer, while Tyson is one of those impetuous guys."

Cooper praised the Lewis jab, which he called "the best in the business".

And he said the 36-year Briton has good fundamental footwork, providing he comes in at the "right weight" and is not overweight like he was for the first Rahman contest.

Tyson still has the edge in power punching, according to Cooper.

But the dominant heavyweight of the 1980s would struggle to make that count these days.

"Tyson has been a different fighter since he left jail," said Cooper, predicting that Tyson would find it difficult to get close to Lewis.