NEW YORK -- Just like Mike Tyson, Andrew Golota has developed a reputation as a dirty fighter. But he doesn't want to be compared with the former heavyweight champion.

"I don't know him, I don't want to know him," Golota said. "We're nothing like each other ... not at all, absolutely not."

Golota was speaking on a conference call to promote his Oct. 20 fight with Tyson at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Both fighters have had their reputations tarnished by bizarre events in the ring.

Tyson was disqualified for biting Evander Holyfield's ears in 1997. He also knocked down Orlin Norris after the bell ended the first round last Oct. 23 and the fight was declared a no-contest when Norris hurt his knee in falling and couldn't continue. On June 24 at Glasgow, Scotland, Tyson knocked down the referee as he tried to attack Lou Savarese after stopping him in 38 seconds.

Golota's dirty reputation came mostly from a pair of bouts with Riddick Bowe in 1996. He was disqualified for low blows in both fights, even though each time he appeared on his way to winning.

Golota also bit Samson Pou'ha on the shoulder in 1995 and head butted Danell Nicholson in 1996, but won both fights.

The 32-year-old Golota says he has changed.

"I'm a little smarter now," he said. "Smarter, older and more experienced."

Golota has a 36-4 record, with one of the defeats coming to current champion Lennox Lewis. The other defeat was against Michael Grant last November, a fight which was stopped in the 10th round with Golota ahead on the scorecards.

Golota joked that his training for the fight should include "more biting." But he said he will be ready for whatever Tyson tries in the ring.

"Whatever he starts, I'll finish," Golota said. "It's going to be a tough fight anyway, so it doesn't make a difference."