(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Mike Tyson says his pet pigeons are like "brothers and sisters" to him.

The retired boxing champion, who is currently promoting his new movie The Hangover 2, revealed his love for his feathered pets and described them as family.

Mike, who stars as himself in the sequel alongside Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms, talked about his quiet lifestyle in retirement.

"These birds over here, I've had since I was 14 years old," he told CBS News' Bill Withaker. "They're like my brothers and sisters. My friends. 'Cause I don't have to worry about them asking me for any money or try and get over me or do anything or try to hurt me for any reason."

Tyson, who earned a reported $400 million at the height of his career, also said that his sporting achievements mean nothing to him in hindsight.

The controversial former heavyweight, who served three years in prison for alleged rape a charge he has always denied - and infamously bit off a part of his opponent Evander Holyfield's ear during a fight, says that his family is all he cares about now.

"I can say I bled for garbage," he said. "At one time it meant a lot - when you're just a young kid, this is everything to you. But then you realize your priorities change. And you just want your children to be happy and do nice things and that makes you happy. This stuff is nothing. This is just nothing, man." (C) Cover Media