Rock
02-06-2005, 06:10 PM
Washington DC, June 02: On June 11th at Washington DC's MCI Centre, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will take on Kevin McBride in his first fight since he was stopped by Danny Williams last July.
Three years have past since Tyson lost to Lennox Lewis in a bout for the heavyweight title, but "Iron Mike" is arguably still the most recognisable name in the game - perhaps as much for his dramatic lifestyle as for his exploits in the ring.
With a fractured heavyweight division and few, if any, bankable fighters, it is small wonder that Tyson still draws the attention he does, despite not having a victory against an upper tier opponent in nearly 14 years.
Now aged 38, Tyson says he has matured and is ready to move forward with his life and boxing career.
After tearing cartilage in his left knee, Tyson was knocked out in the fourth round by Danny Williams in July last year.
McBride, who's 32-4-1 with 27 knockouts, was originally supposed to be Tyson's opponent for that July bout.
Tyson has been more than 30 million US dollars in debt, and has returned to the ring, in part, to pay off his creditors.
And in today's ruptured heavyweight division, Tyson is no more than one spectacular knockout from being right back in the heavyweight mix.
Not many pundits are giving McBride a chance, but when Tyson enters the ring, anything is possible.
The 6-foot-6 Irishman is confident that the he will be the one pulling off the upset.
McBride does not have great speed, but he's a very hard puncher as proven by his 27 career knockouts.
The imposing Irishman has won his last seven fights by knockout and is gunning to make Tyson number 8.
While many consider him to be a warm-up of sorts for Tyson, McBride is having none of it, saying repeatedly that he is going to shock the world with a knockout on June 11th.
Three years have past since Tyson lost to Lennox Lewis in a bout for the heavyweight title, but "Iron Mike" is arguably still the most recognisable name in the game - perhaps as much for his dramatic lifestyle as for his exploits in the ring.
With a fractured heavyweight division and few, if any, bankable fighters, it is small wonder that Tyson still draws the attention he does, despite not having a victory against an upper tier opponent in nearly 14 years.
Now aged 38, Tyson says he has matured and is ready to move forward with his life and boxing career.
After tearing cartilage in his left knee, Tyson was knocked out in the fourth round by Danny Williams in July last year.
McBride, who's 32-4-1 with 27 knockouts, was originally supposed to be Tyson's opponent for that July bout.
Tyson has been more than 30 million US dollars in debt, and has returned to the ring, in part, to pay off his creditors.
And in today's ruptured heavyweight division, Tyson is no more than one spectacular knockout from being right back in the heavyweight mix.
Not many pundits are giving McBride a chance, but when Tyson enters the ring, anything is possible.
The 6-foot-6 Irishman is confident that the he will be the one pulling off the upset.
McBride does not have great speed, but he's a very hard puncher as proven by his 27 career knockouts.
The imposing Irishman has won his last seven fights by knockout and is gunning to make Tyson number 8.
While many consider him to be a warm-up of sorts for Tyson, McBride is having none of it, saying repeatedly that he is going to shock the world with a knockout on June 11th.