In 2005, “Iron Mike” Tyson, one of the most feared heavyweight boxers in history, ended his career in a heartbreaking fashion by quitting on his stool during a fight against the unremarkable Kevin McBride in Washington D.C. Even as his boxing career was drawing to a close, Tyson’s reputation as a fierce fighter still lingered, evident in the introduction by SHOWTIME commentator Steve Albert for the June 11, 2005, pay-per-view event. Albert noted that despite opinions about Tyson being washed up and unfocused, there remained the possibility that Tyson could deliver a devastating knockout, just as he had done during his dominant reign in the 1980s.

At 38 years old and coming off a knockout loss to Britain’s Danny Williams in his previous fight, Tyson had spent 11 months away from the ring, but his aura of invincibility still had an effect on the fans. A crowd of 20,000 gathered at the MCI Arena, hoping to see Tyson regain his former glory with another explosive finish. Tyson’s opponent, McBride (32-4-1), seemed like an easy target for Tyson, but his record didn’t tell the whole story. McBride had mostly fought journeymen and had struggled when facing better competition.

The fight was a spectacle, but Tyson wasn’t the only legendary figure present. After arriving at the venue, Tyson was greeted by none other than Muhammad Ali, who, despite suffering from Parkinson’s disease, still commanded attention when the cameras focused on him. Ali’s daughter, Laila Ali, fought on the undercard, so he took the time to visit his old friend Tyson in the locker room before the match.

When both fighters made their entrance, Tyson walked out to the ring without music, a throwback to his peak performances, like his famous bout against Michael Spinks in 1988. However, the intimidating aura that once accompanied his entrance was no longer as strong. McBride, who had incorporated a hypnotist into his pre-fight preparations, was unfazed and taunted the crowd with his Irish flag as he made his way to the ring.

Once the fight started, McBride was aggressive and threw powerful shots at Tyson. Tyson managed some early success with body shots, but struggled with McBride’s strategy of using his size and strength to smother him. In his prime, Tyson had been able to neutralize his opponents’ physical advantages with speed and ferocity, but against McBride, these qualities were largely absent. McBride leaned on Tyson, held him in clinches, and fought a rough, physical fight that frustrated the former champion.

By the fourth round, Tyson started using some dirty tactics, including headbutts and low blows, as he tried to gain an advantage. However, McBride showed resilience and continued to wear Tyson down. In the sixth round, Tyson became desperate, grabbing McBride’s arm in an attempt to twist it. He was penalized with a two-point deduction for an intentional headbutt, and McBride sensed victory. He landed several uppercuts on a tired Tyson and dominated the remainder of the round. As the round ended, McBride leaned on Tyson and smothered him to the canvas. Tyson struggled to get back up, and after consulting with his trainer, Jeff Fenech, Tyson made the decision to retire from the fight and the sport.

McBride celebrated his unexpected victory, while Tyson sat defeated on his stool, acknowledging his career had come to an end. In a candid post-fight interview, Tyson explained that he no longer had the drive to continue boxing, admitting he had lost the “fighting guts” and was now focused on his family and taking care of his finances. He also acknowledged that he was no longer the ferocious fighter he once was and expressed that he didn’t want to disrespect the sport by continuing to fight lower-tier opponents.

Over the next 19 years, Tyson proved that boxing no longer defined him. He went on to find stability in his personal life, marrying Lakiha “Kiki” Spicer after overcoming personal tragedies, including the loss of his young daughter. Tyson dabbled in various ventures, including endorsement deals, acting cameos, and launching a successful cannabis business. In 2020, at 54 years old, Tyson returned to the ring for an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr., and later announced plans to fight YouTube star Jake Paul, a relationship that seemed cordial. Tyson praised the rise of YouTube boxers, acknowledging how they helped revive the sport of boxing, which had been losing popularity to the UFC.

The fight between Tyson and Paul was initially scheduled for July 2023 but was postponed due to Tyson’s health issues, including an ulcer flare-up. Instead, Mike Perry was brought in to face Paul. Tyson and Paul are now set to meet in the ring in November, continuing the spectacle of a boxing legend facing off against a YouTube personality.