Mike Tyson: Lance Armstrong an "awesome human being"

Mike Tyson on WLNY-TV's "The Couch." / WLNY-TV

Since he confessed to doping in an Oprah Winfrey interview two weeks ago, it's safe to say Lance Armstrong lost a lot of his fans.

One fellow athlete, however, came to the disgraced cyclist's defense: Mike Tyson.

The retired heavyweight boxing champion, whose own controversial career included a prison stint, told CBS New York affiliate WLNY-TV that he thinks Armstrong will make it to the other side of the scandal a stronger person.

12 Photos

Lance Armstrong's doping denials through the years

"He is an awesome human being," Tyson said. "We're all human beings, we're all going to make mistakes. We're not perfect, and neither is Lance."

CBS New York reports Tyson was hesitant to label Armstrong a "cheater" and encouraged others to support the cyclist, who was stripped of all seven Tour de France titles.

"I think that people that are his friends, should still be his friends," Tyson said. "He's going to get bashed for awhile, so if you're truly his friend, try to help him absorb the blows."

Tyson appeared on the show to promote his new Broadway show "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth."

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Watch the entire WLNY-TV segment below:

[KPeters_from_UK]

Yeah, Mike and you are such a brilliant role model too.

[Swingmanic]

I can't believe that people over here in Australia paid good money to go and see him on his "Day Of The Champions" tour..Geez!!
With comments like, "I could sell out Madison Square Garden, masturbating!"
Damn it!!..I knew I should have gone!!!! NOT!!!!!
I think too much cocaine scrambled his brain (If he has one),,Poetic, don't you think??
Apparently he's quite open talking about all the controversial parts of his life, including his incarceration, venereal disease, splashing out $100,000 on prostitutes...I think I'll stay at home with my girlfriend of 11 years and play with my train set! ;o))

[erasmus111]

Wow.

[sabniz]

of course, he's better than all obese people in US combined. at least he's fit, which is a good example.

people should just forget about this, and concentrate on their own fitness for a change. people have too much time caring about this, rather they should just go biking and get fit instead!

[venusvegasvada]

So your saying it's better to be a fit, lying POS, than someone who is honest but overweight?

Unbelievable.

Karma's a @#$@@. Just don't be too upset someday bicycle ranger when that overweight soccer mom with the minivan and 3 kids accidentally puts you in the hospital because you were in the road pushing the envelope because it's your world and everyone else is just living in it.

[KPeters_from_UK]

VENUSVEGASVADA

Excellent post.

[hypnotoad72]

May as well get Krusty the Klown(tm) to speak up and defend Sideshow Bob(tm)...

[rwdgs]

with friends like these.....

[jtdev1]

And this endorsement comes from a RAPIST!

I can't stand him.

[lawyertom1]

What a great endorsement. Who is next? AJ?

[mzungu54]

OJ Simpson, of course.

[rwdgs]

argh but he got me to click on this stupid article!
probably using LA to get us to actually pay attn to him.
now i'm going to run out and buy me some of those tickets to his show. not.