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WASHINGTON, June 12: 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,” I can’t lie to myself. I’m not going to embarrass the sport,” Tyson said.
LAILA ALI WINS
Her dad came to watch, and Laila Ali did him proud.
With Muhammad Ali at ringside Saturday night, Laila Ali pounded Erin Toughill into submission in the third round to remain undefeated and become the first woman to win a World Boxing Council title.
Ali got into the ring, hugged his daughter and gave her tender kisses after she stopped the outclassed Toughill at 1:59 of the third round.—Agencies
