TalkingBoxing Articles
Tyson Calls it a Career, McBride Forces Tyson to Quit
MON June 13, LUKE CALLAHAN, Ringside - The former baddest man on the planet got up at the end of the fifth round from a push to the canvas and headed to his stool for a final time. A rather sad ending to a storied twenty-year career for the man who terrorized the heavyweight division some fifteen years ago.
As Mike Tyson sat on his stool after five rounds of fouling Ireland's Kevin McBride, the game was clearly gone from Tyson. Fight fans and media alike were not sure if it was from the beating McBride dished out or simply from age. Post-fight comments from Tyson answered that question.
"I felt like I was 120 years old," Tyson said at the post-fight press conference. "I could have gone on but I thought I was getting beaten. I don't have it anymore."
The 15,000 in attendance at the MCI Center in downtown Washington, D.C. on Saturday night were not pleased about Tyson's lackluster performance, as he lost for a third time in his last four bouts.
Tyson faded badly after the third round and it was apparent to the keen boxing observer, it was a matter of time before the fight was stopped in McBride's favor.
Sadly, the 39-year old Tyson no longer has anything left for the sport, having openly admitted that his love and passion for the sport that once consumed him are no longer there. With his wealth of knowledge, Tyson even shot down the chance to persue broadcasting. Instead, Tyson wants to give back with his time, which will no longer involve boxing. Tyson was at ease with himself speaking with reporters and seems in control of his life and current situation.
"I'm not going to disrespect the sport by losing to this caliber of fighter," Tyson said referring to McBride, who had never beat a heavyweight in the top fifty. Besides if he can't beat McBride, there is no sense in continuing.
McBride showed true sportsmanship after his career best win, giving Tyson all the credit in the world, also showing a understanding that he beat a shell of a former great. McBride could parlay this win into another big fight much like Dany Williams did last year when he beat Tyson in August and fought for the WBC title in December.
"I'm sorry I let everybody down because I just don't have it in my heart anymore," Tyson stated. "I won't be fighting again."
PHOTO CREDIT: BILL EMES
Cotto Forces Abdullaev to Quit
MON June 13 - Saturday night at Madison Square Garden on HBO, Miguel Cotto defended his WBO junior welterweight title against a game Muhammad Abdullaev of Uzbekistan, forcing the 2000 Olympic gold medallist to quit seconds into the ninth round.
The 24-year-old Cotto, from Caguas, Puerto Rico, was in control of the fight at the time of stoppage and was ahead by scores of 79-73 [twice] and 78-74.
Abdullaev, 15-2, had his right eye swollen shut as Cotto targeted the area as the swelling became apparent after about the fourth round. Cotto, 24-0, had lost to Abdullaev in the 2000 Olympics, but exacts revenge in potentially his last fight at 140-lbs.
Afterwards, Cotto called out Oscar De la Hoya to a welterweight bout, a division Cotto can make, but De la Hoya will have trouble with as he recently lost to Bernard Hopkins at middleweight.
