Former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson is desperate to marry his model-turned-actress girlfriend LUZ WHITNEY - but "she's not interested" at the moment.

Badboy boxer Tyson, 37, has fallen in love with the 26-year-old BAMBOOZLED beauty, and although he's eager to commit to his belle for life, he wants to devote time to other important things - like self-discovery and religion.

He says, "I love Luz. I would marry her, big-time. But she's not interested in marrying me right now.

"I'll do anything to contribute to her career. I'm so proud of her - she's a consummate professional.

"But I'm not no manager. I'm not no bodyguard. I'm just a man, here to support her.

"She did this on her own. She doesn't want to be known as Mike Tyson's girlfriend. She doesn't use me, and she doesn't want to get exploited as using me. She's a little too proud.

"But I just want to love her and be kind to her and care about her, and to work on my purpose in life and worship and be appreciative to God."

"Hey, I'm just happy she's really willing to give me companionship and keep me company. I've had my ups and downs in life, but Luz is a very positive person, always on an up-note."

04/02/2004 00:04