WASHINGTON, 13 June 2005 — Little known Irishman Kevin McBride scored a stunning upset victory over Mike Tyson on Saturday after the former world heavyweight champion quit on his stool before the seventh round of their non-title bout.
Following his third loss in four fights, the man who burst onto the heavyweight scene in such explosive style two decades ago declared that his career in the ring was over.
“This is it. I’m finished. It’s just not in my heart,” the 38-year-old Tyson told a post-fight news conference.
“I’m just not interested in fighting anymore.”
Similar to his recent knockout defeats to Britons Lennox Lewis and Danny Williams, the end of the bout came swiftly and surprisingly. After starting brightly, a clearly exhausted Tyson head-butted McBride in the first minute of the sixth round, delivering a nasty cut over the Irishman’s left eye.
With blood gushing down his face, McBride continued to work inside, pushing the flagging Tyson to the canvas as the round ended. Appearing unhurt but short of energy, Tyson staggered to his corner and slumped on his stool where his cornermen requested referee Joe Cortez to stop what could be his last fight.
“I can’t do this anymore,” said Tyson, who was dejected yet very calm at his news conference.
“I can’t lie to myself. I’m not going to embarrass the sport.”
At 6ft-6ins and weighing in at 271 pounds, McBride was seven inches taller and 38 pounds heavier than Tyson and the size advantage took its toll as the bout progressed. McBride’s record improved to 33-4-1 with 28 knockouts but Tyson is clearly the most impressive scalp on the Clones native’s record. McBride, whom few people gave a chance heading into the fight, said Tyson was “still brilliant” as a fighter.
“He’s a tough warrior,” the 32-year-old McBride said. “He’s perhaps one of the greatest warriors of all time. I just got him at the right time.”
