Mike Tyson quit his final professional fight after trying to break his opponent’s arm, causing discredit for his fight with Jake Paul

Mike Tyson is set to return to the ring this fall, 19 years after his last professional bout, to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The announcement comes as a surprise to many, considering the dramatic end of Tyson’s professional career.

In 2005, ‘Iron Mike,’ one of the most feared heavyweights in history, bid a sorrowful farewell to boxing when he quit on his stool against the unknown Kevin McBride in Washington, D.C. McBride was chosen as an easy opponent for Tyson, but things did not go as planned. Despite his declining career, the introduction by SHOWTIME commentator Steve Albert on the June 11, 2005, pay-per-view broadcast still highlighted Tyson’s formidable aura from the 1980s when he was known as the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet.’

Albert stated, “Despite the general belief that Mike Tyson is shot, unfocused, and undisciplined, this could be a short and painful night for Kevin McBride.” At the time, Tyson, 38, was coming off a knockout loss to England’s Danny Williams and had been away from the ring for 11 months. Yet, the Tyson phenomenon persisted, with a crowd of 20,000 filling the MCI Arena, hoping to witness another spectacular knockout.

The Irish boxer McBride (32-4-1) was chosen for the event, but his record didn’t tell the whole story. The 32-year-old had amassed wins against many seasoned fighters but had fallen short whenever he stepped up in class. Despite his underdog status, McBride was prepared and unphased, having even employed a hypnotist to help his preparation.

When the fight began, McBride fought with a point to prove, while Tyson did not display his old fire. The underdog landed powerful blows, some of which connected. Tyson initially had some success with body shots but struggled against McBride’s “big man” tactics. In previous bouts, Tyson had nullified his opponents’ size and weight advantages with speed, power, and raw aggression. However, against McBride, this was no longer the case.

The Irishman leaned on Tyson, choked him, hit him, and used every trick to gain the upper hand. This frustrated Tyson, who began using dirty tactics, including headbutting and low blows. By the end of the fifth round, McBride had taken the upper hand, leaving Tyson visibly tired and struggling.

In the sixth and final round of his career, Tyson, in frustration, grabbed McBride’s arm and appeared to try to break it. McBride screamed in pain, and Tyson was warned but not disqualified. Moments later, Tyson headbutted McBride, resulting in a two-point deduction by referee Joe Cortez. Energized by this decision, McBride landed a series of hooks on a visibly exhausted Tyson.

Commentator Albert, who had predicted a short night for McBride, now declared, “Kevin McBride, a journeyman, is making Mike Tyson look like a third-rate heavyweight.” As the round ended, McBride pushed Tyson to the canvas. Though no knockdown was scored, Tyson struggled to get up and returned to his corner. After consulting with his trainer, Jeff Fenech, Tyson decided to end the fight and his career.

McBride celebrated his unexpected victory, while Tyson sat on his stool, accepting his fate. In a brutally honest post-fight interview, Tyson admitted, “I realize I don’t think I have it anymore. I’m just fighting to pay off bills.” He acknowledged he no longer had the courage or ferocity that once defined him. “I’m not that animal anymore,” he said. Concluding, Tyson stated, “I’m sure I’ll find something else to do. Boxing is not the end all of who I am.”

Over the past 19 years, Tyson has proved that statement true. Despite the tragic loss of his four-year-old daughter, Tyson has remarried and found success in various ventures, including acting, advertising, and a lucrative cannabis business. In 2020, at age 54, he returned for an eight-round exhibition with Roy Jones Jr.

Tyson is now scheduled to fight Paul on November 15, following a postponement due to a health issue. Initially set for July 20, Tyson’s bout was delayed when he was deemed unfit due to a stomach ulcer. In the interim, bare-knuckle boxing star Mike Perry will face Paul on the original date, while Tyson awaits his turn to meet ‘The Problem Child.’ Despite their friendly past, Tyson has praised Paul for keeping boxing in the limelight amid the rise of UFC, saying in 2020, “Boxing owes these YouTube boxers some respect.”

As fans eagerly anticipate Tyson’s return, the legacy of ‘Iron Mike’ continues to evolve, adding another chapter to the storied career of one of boxing’s most iconic figures.