TalkingBoxing Interviews
Talking Boxing with KEVIN McBRIDE
WED May 18, JULIUS STECKER - "I am going knock out Mike Tyson" :: Heavyweight veteran Kevin “The Clone Colossus” McBride is an imposing figure at 6’6” and 265 pounds. Without a doubt, McBride's size could give his June 11th opponent, Mike Tyson, some troubles, especially after Tyson's knee injury and his nearly year away from the ring.
Tyson-McBride, scheduled for 10-rounds distributed by Showtime PPV, has all the makings of a return victory for 'Iron Mike', but McBride doesn't want to hear any of it. Besides, McBride is the one who hasn't lost in his last seven fights, right?
Coming off a knockout win on ESPN2 over Kevin Montiy in March, McBride was ready to touch em' up last July, when Tyson took on Danny Williams. Instead of McBride, who priced himself out of the fight, Team Tyson went with Williams, who stopped Tyson via a fourth round knockout. Why couldn't it happen again?
"I'm gonna take the fight to him, I'm gonna knock Mike Tyson out and prove that I'm a legitimate heavyweight," said a confident McBride, who has nothing to lose going into their fight. McBride's been ready and waiting for a year for this chance, even a bit longer.
“I am dedicating this fight to my father," said McBride, who calls Brockton, Massachusetts home. "I remember a long time ago I told him I was going fight and beat Mike Tyson one day, and now it is going to happen."
Be fair for a moment to McBride. Talk about an opportunity of a lifetime, Kevin meets boxing’s most notorious figure in Tyson at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. and will be try to end Tyson’s career in the process. This win will do a lot more for McBride, than vice versa, so why wouldn't McBride bring his best come fight night?
Recently, McBride spard in spirited fashion with veteran Terrance Lewis at Petronelli's Gym (MA), where he's been preparing for his bout. McBride has put in the hours and is getting in a full 8-week training camp.
“I am going to knock out Mike Tyson. I am 7-years younger, I am the harder puncher and I am the bigger man. I am going to shock the world,” stated McBride, who wants every fan to know he is coming for the win.
While pundits and fans alike may think McBride stands no shot, McBride would adamantly disagree with you. Currently on a 7-fight win streak, scoring a knockout in each of those fights, Kevin wants add Tyson’s name to number eight on the list.
McBride is not the fastest fighter in the world, but he is a very hard puncher as indicated by his 27-wins via the knockout. McBride also has a shaky chin; having been stopped in all of his four losses.
For as long as it lasts, this promises to be a very interesting and exciting encounter. Lets not forget, Tyson has been stopped in all of his losses as well and in two of his last three fights.
The 32-year old McBride believes that if he gets past Tyson there is another guy he will be looking to fight. So what if he doesn't have a title anymore.
“After I beat Mike Tyson, I want to fight James Toney. He doesn’t scare me, talk is cheap, and you have to put it together in the ring.”
McBride has a few other things going in his favor for this fight, besides size and power and is none other than respected Goody Petronelli, who earned fame for his work with the great 'Marvelous' Marvin Hagler. McBride is hoping that that will be an X-factor against a fading Tyson as his trainer brings with him intangibles that will only help.
McBride is considered by some a trial horse for Tyson, but Team McBride is hoping for a Sea Biscuit type ending and isn't giving in.
McBride simply closed with this, “I am going to knockout Mike Tyson.” Stranger things have happened.
Photos by:Tom Casino/SHOWTIME PPV
