Mike Tyson’s final professional opponent has warned of a few little things before he makes his return to the ring on Friday night.
It’s been almost 20 years since Kevin McBride stunned the boxing world and forced one of the greatest heavyweights of all time to retire on his stool in Washington, DC. The Irishman was a little-known former Olympian, but lasted out six rounds before ‘Iron Mike’ decided enough was enough
he has some words of wisdom for Jake Paul as the YouTuber-turned-boxer prepares to face Tyson in his comeback fight this weekend. The pair’s meeting will be the former champion’s first outing in the professional ranks since that fateful night, while Paul has been actively competing since 2020.
Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson: How to watch, live stream, start time, full card and rules
Kevin McBride’s win over Mike Tyson was greatest night of his career
On June 11, 2005 Kevin McBride made the walk to the ring in front of a packed house at the MCI Center [now Capital One Arena] in the United States capital. He had previously struggled to gain traction in his professional career, but was offered the chance of a lifetime against Mike Tyson.
And with Muhammad Ali watching from the front row, he put in an impressive, gritty performance that saw him weather the storm for six rounds. And after flooring Tyson with what was not ruled an official knockdown, the all-time great opted to quit not just the fight, but boxing as a whole, on his stool.
“It was a dream for me coming true,” McBride explained in an exclusive chat with Bloody Elbow. “To actually be in the ring with the most feared man in the world, I remember growing up and hoping to one day just meet Mike Tyson.
“I also wanted to meet Muhammad Ali and I got to meet the two of them in the one night. I beat one of them as well, that was Tyson, and it’s my wee claim to fame in America, but my big claim is that I have two beautiful kids and a lovely wife, thank God we’re all healthy.”
Mike Tyson’s final opponent offers Jake Paul advice ahead of Netflix showdown
McBride’s game plan against Tyson saw him utilize his massive size advantage to weigh down the smaller heavyweight in order to tire him out. The Monaghan native was eight inches taller and almost 40lb heavier, which is not an advantage that 6’1 career-cruiserweight Paul will have.
Instead, McBride jokes that he should look out for when Tyson loses his mouthpiece, as a bite may be imminent. “If Jake called me I’d say ‘watch out if he spits out his mouthpiece’!” McBride joked. “That’s the only advice I’d have.
“Tyson must be like 230 or 240lb, what I would say to Jake Paul and his coaches is ride the storm too. But with two minute rounds, he’ll have to do a bit of holding on and I don’t know if he has the strength to hold Tyson.
“Tyson is an animal, a legend, and he is a trained professional fighter. He’s so much more experienced than a lot of people, it’s very dangerous for Jake Paul.”
Kevin McBride believes Mike Tyson will KO Jake Paul – and reckons he would too
It appears that McBride is joining the growing contingent of fight fans who believe that Tyson will reel in the years this weekend and stop Paul. He will be watching on Netflix to see his old opponent, and reckons that he could still do it again if the YouTuber wanted to face another aged heavyweight.
“Mike is very old, but power-wise he has such a punch that when he hits Jake Paul he will probably knock him out,” McBride theorised. “I think so, but it depends on the size gloves, 14oz, I’m not sure about that.
“But still Tyson generates a lot of power. I remember he’d hit you on one side, say he hits the left side of your body, you’ll feel it on the right. He is so powerful, it’s unreal. I fought a lot of heavyweight, sparred the likes of Riddick Bowe, Ray Mercer and he was far and away the hardest puncher.
“I’m 51 years old myself and if Tyson pulled out again and in the morning time they flew me down I would actually jump in the ring with Jake Paul. And you know what? I have the power to put him away too, my power hasn’t left me.
“I work with this guy Mathias paving now and I must have lost 50lb this summer, I’m in great shape, around fight weight again. So if Tyson beats Jake Paul