Jose Torres, former light-heavyweight boxing champion and...

Jose Torres, former light-heavyweight boxing champion and a longtime friend of heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, told the New York Daily News that Tyson has been “absolutely brainwashed,” and that Tyson’s wife and mother-in-law are engaged in a “diabolical plot” to control the boxer’s $42-million fortune.

Torres made his comments in the wake of Robin Givens’ statement on ABC-TV’s “20/20” program that Tyson, her husband, was a manic-depressive.

“He’s no manic-depressive,” Torres told the newspaper. “He’s being manipulated. I’m not accusing his wife, but Ruth Roper (Tyson’s mother-in-law) is a dangerous woman. She now has complete control over Tyson. It’s outrageous that he allows himself to go on television and say he’s manic-depressive.”