By Rick Reeno
It's Mike Tyson fever once again in the boxing world. Mike climbs back into the ring to in Washington, DC to face 6'6, 270 pound, Irish fighter named Kevin McBride. Tyson gets his last chance at a championship run Saturday night, his career is on the line in this fight. The BoxingScene staff writers break down the fight, the strategy and more importantly, if McBride stands a chance to upset Iron Mike.
Eric Rineer - I'm going with "Iron" Mike, even though he hasn't been the same fighter for at least six years. If he is healthy then I believe he'll take out McBride within 6 rounds. I think he would have gotten Danny Willams out of there if he hadn't twisted his knee in the first round of their fight. If that knee is not back to normal, McBride has a chance.
Damien Picariello - I can't see even this faded version of Tyson having any trouble with McBride. If Kevin does win, look for frogs to fall from the sky at random intervals. Mike Tyson KO 1 Kevin McBride
Damien Picariello - I can't see even this faded version of Tyson having any trouble with McBride. If Kevin does win, look for frogs to fall from the sky at random intervals. Mike Tyson KO 1 Kevin McBride
David Sauvage - I've seen McBribe fight just once, but that was enough to tell he was a lazy fighter, extremely slow on the inside, and unsteady on his feet. In other words, an amateur. However, I've also seen Mike Tyson several dozen times, and that was enough to tell he was inconsistent, frequently unmotivated, and today he is entirely out of fire. There's only guessing here, because Tyson might still have a punch, but I for one foresee the death blow to his dying career. McBride to stop Tyson in 4.
Ron Gallegos - Mike Tyson is, was and will always be one of favorite fighters. I equate him to the Howard Cosell of boxers in that whenever he fought, it transcended a boxing match, it became an event. From the young boy under the tutelage of Cus D'Amato to the heavyweight icon champion of the world, Mike had charisma. Everything he did, he did in a big way. When he lost, it wasn't just a loss, it was a loss to Buster nobody Douglas. In his prime there was none who could withstand his devastating left hook. His knowledge of the history of boxing was impressive. When he spoke of the early fighters, he knew what he was talking about.
Sadly, Mike's time in the ring has passed. He never achieved the greatness that was his for the taking. Distractions, his entourage, unwise personal decisions, they all took their toll. I felt sadness when he described the rationale behind the real meal bite of the ear. then again, i tried to understand how remarkable it was that he was articulate and thinking to the high degree that he did in view of the background that he had. He wasn't polished in the sense that we perceive formal educational Polish, but Mike was a thinker. He was and is an icon in every way. There will never be another like Mike Tyson.
But he's way past his apex, he will continue to fight the club fighters hoping to pay off the massive debts owed. People will still pay to see him for what he was. Mike is still young outside the ring. Within the confines of the ropes, he lacks the ferocity he once had that struck fear in those who would dare challenge him. Occasionally, he still may call on the feared left hook and perchance it may still find its mark, but at what risk. There is another life there for Tyson. I would love to see him as a commentator for HBO or Showtime. I think people would be genuinely surprised to see the amount of expertise he brings to the ring apron.
As far as a prediction for this fight, my hopes are that he pulls one last victory out and seeks other opportunities. Unfortunately, if he wins, as with so many before him, then there is the thought that the tank is not empty. thus he continues until he loses all. If he loses tonight, perhaps the ego that is tyson cannot withstand the thought of losing to those that he would crush in earlier times and that would bring another two or three year hiatus.
Christopher Cook - Depends on which Tyson shows up, and that is near impossible to tell these days. I would say go with Tyson by early-mid rounds KO, but definitely not a fight to bet on.
Mike Indri - Everyone knows how this one is supposed to end, and if Tyson doesn't beat McBride I don't know what "Team Tyson" can do next. Mountain Rivera (played by Anthony Quinn many years ago in the classic boxing movie: "Requiem for a Heavyweight") is obviously no longer available, so it's now or never for Mr. Tyson. Showing how much his once-potentially unlimited skills have eroded it will still take Tyson four or five rounds before he dispatches of the super-sized, yet super-slow, really nice Irish fellah. Mike Tyson TKO winner over Kevin McBride.
Sadly, Mike's time in the ring has passed. He never achieved the greatness that was his for the taking. Distractions, his entourage, unwise personal decisions, they all took their toll. I felt sadness when he described the rationale behind the real meal bite of the ear. then again, i tried to understand how remarkable it was that he was articulate and thinking to the high degree that he did in view of the background that he had. He wasn't polished in the sense that we perceive formal educational Polish, but Mike was a thinker. He was and is an icon in every way. There will never be another like Mike Tyson.
But he's way past his apex, he will continue to fight the club fighters hoping to pay off the massive debts owed. People will still pay to see him for what he was. Mike is still young outside the ring. Within the confines of the ropes, he lacks the ferocity he once had that struck fear in those who would dare challenge him. Occasionally, he still may call on the feared left hook and perchance it may still find its mark, but at what risk. There is another life there for Tyson. I would love to see him as a commentator for HBO or Showtime. I think people would be genuinely surprised to see the amount of expertise he brings to the ring apron.
As far as a prediction for this fight, my hopes are that he pulls one last victory out and seeks other opportunities. Unfortunately, if he wins, as with so many before him, then there is the thought that the tank is not empty. thus he continues until he loses all. If he loses tonight, perhaps the ego that is tyson cannot withstand the thought of losing to those that he would crush in earlier times and that would bring another two or three year hiatus.
Christopher Cook - Depends on which Tyson shows up, and that is near impossible to tell these days. I would say go with Tyson by early-mid rounds KO, but definitely not a fight to bet on.
Mike Indri - Everyone knows how this one is supposed to end, and if Tyson doesn't beat McBride I don't know what "Team Tyson" can do next. Mountain Rivera (played by Anthony Quinn many years ago in the classic boxing movie: "Requiem for a Heavyweight") is obviously no longer available, so it's now or never for Mr. Tyson. Showing how much his once-potentially unlimited skills have eroded it will still take Tyson four or five rounds before he dispatches of the super-sized, yet super-slow, really nice Irish fellah. Mike Tyson TKO winner over Kevin McBride.
Rusty Rubin - Tyson vs. McBride is no contest. McBride is very slow and predictable. Kevin's only chance would be if he survives the first half of the fight, and Tyson tires. Not likely to happen, although at Mike's age and lack of rounds in recent years it can. Tyson by KO within six.
Robert Padilla - Going past four rounds for Tyson has seemed to make Tyson ordinary as a fighter. His once attraction has died as has the Heavyweight Division in the eyes of many fans. Sure Tyson will win but with a punching bag in front of him what else can we expect. Not a Pay per View worthy fight for sure.
Lucian Parfitt - I say it goes past round 1 simply because I know Tyson needs rounds and he might take it a little easier. Tyson KO2 Mcbride.
Tom Donelson - Team Tyson picked Kevin McBride because he is big and easy to hit. McBride is slow and ponderous, which makes him a delicious target for Tyson haymakers. This fight is being made because Tyson is one punch from being a contender and Team Tyson view McBride as a perfect patsy. But then they thought that about Danny Williams. Only Williams did not read the script and survived Tyson's onslaught in the first round. Williams knocked Tyson out in the fourth after the one legged Tyson ran out of steam from throwing one haymaker after another. With one bad knee and no more gas left in the tank, Tyson could no longer defend himself.
Tyson, as a fighter, will continue to get one more chance to fight as long as he can rake in the PPV numbers and it doesn't matter who he fights. If he loses to McBride, a set up fighter, then we will know that Tyson is finished as a serious fighter. But then Danny Williams should have told us that. Somehow, I don't think that Team Tyson will miscalculate twice in a row when searching for the right opponent. Look for an exciting short fight in which Tyson wins by KO and once again, the world will hear about Tyson the Heavyweight contender.
Pedro Fernandez - This is a "work" night for Mike Tyson. At least that is the feeling of almost everyone you might ask. I just don't think he'll be any better by blowing McBride out early. Mike needs rounds folks. Even if it means carrying his foe, Mike needs rounds. As for McBride, he says he's not scared. Most people thought have said that about Mike were disingenuous. Tough night for Kevin, but Tyson as well as he is here to reestablish himself with winning and going some rounds.
T.K. Stewart - Tyson looked slow to me in training for this bout and his timing and reflexes appear to be totally non-existent. Mike's legs are shot. He scaled 233 at the weigh-in, which is too heavy for him. To be supremely effective, Tyson should be under 225. Having said all of that, Tyson wins by KO 1.
Tyson, as a fighter, will continue to get one more chance to fight as long as he can rake in the PPV numbers and it doesn't matter who he fights. If he loses to McBride, a set up fighter, then we will know that Tyson is finished as a serious fighter. But then Danny Williams should have told us that. Somehow, I don't think that Team Tyson will miscalculate twice in a row when searching for the right opponent. Look for an exciting short fight in which Tyson wins by KO and once again, the world will hear about Tyson the Heavyweight contender.
Pedro Fernandez - This is a "work" night for Mike Tyson. At least that is the feeling of almost everyone you might ask. I just don't think he'll be any better by blowing McBride out early. Mike needs rounds folks. Even if it means carrying his foe, Mike needs rounds. As for McBride, he says he's not scared. Most people thought have said that about Mike were disingenuous. Tough night for Kevin, but Tyson as well as he is here to reestablish himself with winning and going some rounds.
T.K. Stewart - Tyson looked slow to me in training for this bout and his timing and reflexes appear to be totally non-existent. Mike's legs are shot. He scaled 233 at the weigh-in, which is too heavy for him. To be supremely effective, Tyson should be under 225. Having said all of that, Tyson wins by KO 1.
James Blears - Having been ringside and seen Mike Tyson in the flesh training at Burr gym in Howard University for the last couple of days, to me, he looks in magnificent shape, sharp and yes, relaxed. Yet, Jeff Fenech was thoroughly tightening up Mike's defence to protect his body from a retalitory strike, once he's thrown all those uppercuts bombs and hooks. His stamina looks good, he's motivated to be peckish, because he's hungry again.
A quick finish against a brave but strictly limited opponent looks on the cards, athough Kevin will try his best. Don't blink or answer the doorbell. A win will catapult Mike and his bandwagon back on to the road, but they need more opponents, and more often.
Steve Cummings - The fact that Mike Tyson is a Pay-Per-View attraction is unbelievable at this point. But for him to be on PPV against a no-namer? Wow. I just can't believe people are forking over money for this. If this sells well, then give Bush a third term because the economy is in great shape.
It comes down to whether or not McBride can withstand the early assault. If he can, without Mike getting injured like he did against Williams, then the plot could thicken as Tyson doesn't generally condition himself that well anymore, and gets discouraged. But I see Mike salvaging one last shred of credibility (in the public's eyes, not mine) by flattening this guy early on. It almost hurts to say that because Mike is so much shorter and hasn't shown anything worth getting excited about in years. But, as they say, the punch is the last thing to go and McBride just hasn't distinguished himself to the point to where I can see him taking Mike's shots and pulling it off. Tyson by KO in one.
Steve Cummings - The fact that Mike Tyson is a Pay-Per-View attraction is unbelievable at this point. But for him to be on PPV against a no-namer? Wow. I just can't believe people are forking over money for this. If this sells well, then give Bush a third term because the economy is in great shape.
It comes down to whether or not McBride can withstand the early assault. If he can, without Mike getting injured like he did against Williams, then the plot could thicken as Tyson doesn't generally condition himself that well anymore, and gets discouraged. But I see Mike salvaging one last shred of credibility (in the public's eyes, not mine) by flattening this guy early on. It almost hurts to say that because Mike is so much shorter and hasn't shown anything worth getting excited about in years. But, as they say, the punch is the last thing to go and McBride just hasn't distinguished himself to the point to where I can see him taking Mike's shots and pulling it off. Tyson by KO in one.
Jim Amato - The fight between Mike Tyson and Kevin McBride is just too hard to take serious. If Mike can't win this one, he should retire. Tyson by an early KO.
Matteo Alderson - I like Tyson within four rounds, he still hits hard enough to beat decent journeymen, but it's over for Mike especially when his own brain trust, men like Shelly Finkel make comments like, "Mike can still win a title". None the less, I'm a Mike Tyson fan to the core, he's a legend in the tradition of Liston and Dempsey. Sometimes I finding myself thinking, "I know he probably wouldn't beat Klitschko, but maybe he can land that one big shot early?" And as long as Iron Mike can still knock guys out; a lot of us are going to think the same way.
Rick Reeno - Team Tyson searched the entire boxing planet to find the biggest stiff they could get in the ring with Tyson and make Mike look like the Tyson of old. I do not see this fight going past three rounds. It just goes to show people that everything that Mike touches turns to gold. Every opponent that fights Tyson, turns into a household name within a few weeks. No other fighter has been able to accomplish this in many years.
