Shattered Tyson calls it quits after humbling surrender
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Mike Tyson learned the hard way that he no longer has the heart for boxing, taking a beating from Irishman Kevin McBride before quitting after six rounds in what he called his ring farewell.
"I can't do this no more. I can't lie to myself," Tyson said. "I can't do this. I'm not going to embarrass the sport anymore. This is just my ending.
"That's it. It's finished."
Tyson's controversial 20-year career saw him become the undisputed heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990 and fall into disgrace with rape and assault convictions and a one-year ban for biting Evander Holyfield's ears.
"I just don't have it in me," Tyson said. "I'm just finished with this. I'm no good anymore. I don't think I have the stomach for this anymore. I don't have anything to fight for anymore."
Tyson's final moments in boxing came late in a wild sixth round in which Tyson head-butted McBride and trapped his foe's left arm, arousing fears he might break it the way he nearly once did South African Francois Botha's arm.
"I was desperate to win," Tyson admitted. "Man I would have done anything."
Referee Joe Cortez took two points from Tyson for the head-butt, which opened a gash under McBride's left eye. The Irish journeyman rallied and pinned Tyson on the ropes before shoving him onto his rear as round six ended.
Tyson stayed seated for a few moments, then hesistatingly rose and walked to his corner, nevermore to return, his attempted comeback crushed.
"I didn't want to get up. I was tired," Tyson said. "It wasn't in my heart. I was doing it, but I didn't want to go forward. I just didn't have the desire to continue fighting.
"I felt like I was 120 years old. I feel like Rip Van Winkle right now."
In many ways, Tyson admitted that his boxing career has been over since the night in Tokyo when Buster Douglas knocked him out in the 10th round to take away the undisputed crown. McBride simply finished the job Douglas started.
"My career has been over since 1990," Tyson said. "I'm not interested in fighting anymore. If I can't beat him, I can't beat (anyone). I don't believe I can beat Father Time. I don't believe I have the heart to do this anymore.
"I just don't have this in my gut anymore. I'm not interested in getting beat up. It's difficult to fight when your heart just isn't in it."
Tyson's career ended 50-6 after his third loss in his final four fights. The man who warned McBride he would "gut him like a fish" admitted "I don't have the guts to fight anymore."
McBride rose to 33-4 with one drawn, winning for the eighth time in a row.
"This win was for the pride of Ireland," McBride said. "I proved everyone wrong."
Tyson said he would have fought again had he won, in part because he owes federal tax money that would have been repaid after a few more planned fights.
"When I get some money, I'll pay them," Tyson said. "If I don't, I won't."
Tyson might not have much money anytime soon if he takes up a missionary posting as he indicated is possible.
"I want to do something that helps someone," he said. "I have to be helping. I would like to be contributing to something. If I don't, I feel emotionally dead."
Tyson, who turns 39 on June 30, made his farewell in his first fight since last July's fourth-round knockout loss to Britain's Danny Williams.
Two judges had Tyson leading 57-55 after six rounds while the third had McBride ahead by the same margin.
Tyson began the fourth round with a flurry of damaging punches to McBride's head and body but the stunned Irishman weathered the storm and by late in round five had Tyson pinned against the ropes, hammering him with hard inside blows.
Once McBride escaped the fury, Tyson had little left, a similar situation to the pounding he took before biting Evander Holyfield's ears in a title fight.
McBride, the tallest and heaviest foe Tyson has faced, had superior size and reach but continually clinched to avoid the punishing power punches in Tyson's arsenal and attacked in turn with uppercuts.
BUT BROTHER BLUE-LEO;
THESE SARS HAVE A LIFE TOO.
SO WHAT, IF THE FANS WANT HIM TO PLAY MORE.
HE'S OLD AND TIRED. YALLA, JUST WAVE HIM GOOD BYE, HE NEEDS PEACE TOO.
_________________ PEACE AND BLEESINGS TO ALL THE CREATURES OF THE WORLD.
DOCARABIA
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