COPENHAGEN, Oct 14: Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson marked his first appearance for a year by stopping Denmark’s Brian Nielsen at the start of the seventh round in their scheduled 10-round non-title fight Saturday.

The official verdict at Parken national stadium was a technical knockout after one second of the seventh round after referee Steve Smoger was called to Nielsen’s corner and informed he could not see out of his left eye.

“I felt rusty,” said 35-year-old Tyson.

Nielsen, cheered on by his home fans, showed clear signs of relief when he survived the first round.

But Tyson had his man on the floor following a left-right combination in the third and then Nielsen, 36, sank to his knees in pain after receiving a low blow just before the bell.

Referee Smoger gave Nielsen five minutes respite before he returned to the action to receive more punishment at the hands of his American opponent.

But, in the fifth round, Nielsen hit back with a couple of hard blows of his own. “In the fifth round I thought this guy came to fight,” Tyson said.

“I am very disappointed but I hope people will now give me some respect,” Nielsen said.

International media had nicknamed the chubby Nielsen “Danish pastry” and said he earned his 62-1 record, including 43 knockouts, against low-grade opponents. His defeat by Tyson was only the second of his career.

Tyson, whose previous four fights lasted a total of six rounds, looked relaxed in his first fight since he stopped Pole Andrew Golota in the second round last October.

His win over Golota was later changed to a “no contest” after the American refused to take a post-fight drug test.

Tyson, who now has a 49-3 record with 43 stoppages, said he would need a couple more bouts before fighting for the world title.—Reuters