Mike Tyson thinks Kanye West is "nuts".

Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson

The 50-year-old former boxing champion admits that the rapper might be a little "misguided", but insists he's not as bad as people think "when you see him smiling".

Speaking on podcast 'Rich Friend', the star said: "Kanye's nuts. There's no doubt about it. "[West is] on the right path. He might be a little bit misguided and offensive, but he has more than belief ... He's really not the bad [expletive] you think he is when you see him smiling."

Iron Mike also described the 'Gold Digger' hitmaker as "a leader", and said that his late mentor Cus D'Amato would have "loved a guy like him".

He said: "Cus D'Amato would love a guy like him . . . A guy that leads.

"I was a quiet guy. Even if it's false confidence, Cus would turn that into reality. To be a leader, you have to have delusional faith that you can do things that are almost impossible."

Kanye, 39, has previously asked the 'Hangover' star to get involved with his clothing line Yeezy, but so far the pair haven't been able to put a plan together.

The 'Famous' rapper wanted the boxer - who recently returned to the sport after battling depression - to take to the runway at his event at the Superdome in New Orleans, where he also wanted to recruit Beyoncé's musical talent.

A source at the time said: "He's [Kanye's] asked Beyoncé to perform, but it's unclear if he'll be performing with her.

"He wanted Tyson to be involved in his Madison Square Garden show, but they couldn't put it together.

"Now he wants to try and get Tyson to come to New Orleans."