Mike Tyson has responded to Deontay Wilder’s confident claim of being able to beat a young 'Iron Mike'.

Wilder showed no hesitation when he boldly said he would defeat Tyson in his prime, but his fellow boxer was far more reserved with his returning comments.

Responding to Wilder’s suggestion that he would knock out Tyson if they were able to have fought in their prime, Iron Mike praised Wilder’s confidence.

The comments come ahead of Wilder’s rematch with Tyson Fury on Saturday.

Speaking to TMZ, Wilder once said: "Me vs. Tyson in '86, I'd kick the hell outta that guy.

"Listen, I've got to keep it real. I know people always go back to the old school or look at the new school and there's no school where I'm not No. 1 on earth."

Tyson’s undefeated start to his career - winning 37 professional fights - has given him legendary status in the heavyweight status.

But when he was asked about Wilder’s comments, he provided a collected response.

The 53-year-old praised the current heavyweight champion’s mindset, because it would have been a similar one to when he himself was fighting at his prime.

He said: "I don't know (whether I'd beat him). I love the fact that he thinks that, because that's the way I would think as well.

“He's supposed to think that way, he is the heavyweight champion of the world and that's something very special."

Tyson was knocked out by Lennox Lewis in Iron Mike’s penultimate fight of his career 18 years ago, but the Brit chose to back his compatriot over Wilder.

He explained how easy it is to comment until you make first eye-contact inside the ring.

Lewis said: "I just heard Deontay Wilder said he would destroy a young Mike Tyson. My thoughts are that it's easy to talk until you actually get in the ring.

"I like Wilder but he's never been in there with someone that ferocious who truly wants to break his ribs with every punch. I don't see it!"