Former undisputed champion in both the Cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, Evander Holyfield has named a stronger mindset as the factor which puts Deontay Wilder above close rivals, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.

Holyfield, who announced his retirement back in 2014, three years after his last fight, boasts a professional record of 44 wins in 57 fights across a 27-year career.

Speaking to iFL TV, Holyfield gave his opinion on the current state of the heavyweight scene and who he considers to be the best out of the two Brits, Joshua and Fury, and his fellow American, Wilder.

"Confidence is the key. The mindset is what sets you above people," Holyfield said.

"I think Deontay (Wilder), the way that he thinks, he can get himself to do things that normally he's not supposed to be able to get himself to do.

"If you look at him stature-wise, he's a tall guy, basketball build, but the things that he do he do it well. He is very confident.

"Sometimes he gets off-balance but he makes adjustments.

"The mind is the strongest thing that you can have to be the very best."

Despite early indications that Anthony Joshua was set to meet Wilder in a heavyweight showdown later this year, Joshua instead fought and defeated Alexander Povetkin and now looks set for a rematch with Dillian Whyte, rather than the much-anticipated showdown with the American - unless an agreement can be reached.

Becoming a prominent figure within the heavyweight division once again, Tyson Fury now looks set to challenge Wilder on December 1.

Like many other boxing fans, Holyfield was disappointed with the collapse in negotiations between Joshua and Wilder, believing the fight would elevate boxing to the level it was at during his heyday in the 1990's.

“It would be a great fight,” the American continued.

“When it’s all said and done you’re talking about what’s fair. Deontay was the heavyweight champion first, but with Joshua, he’s got all these people.

"I went to Saturday's fight and there were 100,000 people coming to see him. It’s my first time seeing that ever in my life, to see a man, a boxer, draw that many people.

“I still think as a balance, both of them champions, somebody’s going to win and somebody’s going to lose. But when both people are that good, that’s when the promoter comes in, brings up the big money and gives everybody even money.

"If you think you’re the champ, you feel that you’re going to win. The whole big thing is what the fight would mean to the individual."