Mike Tyson Gutted And Set To Retire After Loss

Mike Tyson indicated he will retire from boxing for good after his unceremonious loss to journeyman Kevin McBride tonight in Washington, DC. Tyson quit on his stool after a bizarre and foul-filled sixth round.

“I most likely won't fight anymore. I'm not going to disrespect the sport by losing to this caliber of fighters,” said Tyson.

Earlier in the week Mike Tyson had threatened to “gut [McBride] like a fish”, but following the fight the bravado was gone: “I'm not going to fight again. I haven't got the fighting guts or the heart anymore.”

“I was just fighting to pay off the bills,” Tyson added.

Despite controlling most of the early action, Mike Tyson appeared to tire after a few rounds and resorted to throwing single punches in a desperate attempt to score a knockout. When McBride weathered a Tyson storm early in the fourth round, it was the beginning of the end for the former baddest man on the planet.

It was the sixth round when controversy inevitably reared its head. Tyson was penalized two points for head butting McBride and opening a gash over the Irishman’s left eye. Tyson also appeared at one point to try to break McBride's arm. At the end of the round, McBride pushed a visibly exhausted Mike Tyson to the canvas and Tyson’s head ended up entangled in the ropes. Tyson did eventually rise and return to his corner, but seemingly for the last time.

“I could have continued but I thought I was getting beat on,” said Tyson. “I'm sorry I let everybody down, I just don't have it in my heart anymore.”

“This win was for the pride of Ireland,” said the victorious McBride. “I proved everyone wrong.”

Two of the judges had Mike Tyson leading 57-55, while the third judge had Kevin McBride ahead by the same margin when referee Joe Cortez called a halt to the bout.

* Read Aaron Tallent's Mike Tyson vs. Kevin McBride Post-Fight Report