Chris Eubank believes champion Lennox Lewis can beat Mike Tyson tonight in their heavyweight title fight but only if he does not get drawn into a war.

Eubank flew out yesterday to take his seat at ringside to witness one of the most eagerly-awaited contests in memory.

Hove's former world middleweight champion has given his considered opinion after meeting with Tyson at his training camp in Hawaii last month.

Eubank said: "If Lennox Lewis fights like he should, he can beat Mike Tyson.

"Lewis must box Tyson, stay away from him and use his jab. If at any time in the first five or six rounds he is pulled or cajoled into a close-quarters contest where he stands his ground as Tyson puts him under pressure, then I believe Tyson will knock him out.

"If Lewis is able to keep his distance he will win, if Tyson pressures him so much he feels he has to stand his ground, he could win.

"It is easy for a fighter to be pulled in to that situation as they feel frustrated with the constant attack and pressure they are put under and all they want to do is fight back and make their opponent respect them.

"It could be at that moment that the fight is over."

Eubank has remained friends with Tyson despite the New York fighter's well publicised problems in and out of the ring and was a guest at his training camp in May.

Eubank said: "I spent nine hours with him over two days. I support him as an individual and as a human being who has rights. I am always impressed by the emotional intelligence of the man.

"He is happy, boisterous and the impression I got of him was he is a child in the body of a beast.

"He told me he has trained for four months and that he cannot wait for this fight. He was ready for this fight three weeks ago."

Eubank knows both boxers but does care who wins, a surprising statement when you consider he has a great deal of sympathy for the man dubbed Mad Mike.

Eubank added: "I am friendly with both men but I have no preference over who wins.

"This is not about personalities, it is about ability. That is the honourable view to take. On the face of things, Lewis is the more acceptable but if you are talking about personalities, you will have a difficult choice if you were to meet Tyson. He will endear you to him within a few minutes of meeting him.

"However, it is not about personalities but about who gives the most in the heat of battle.

"The one who does not give way to using the wrong tactic. Tyson's worst tactic would be to try and box Lewis, while Lewis's worst tactic would be to try and fight Mike Tyson."