Mike Tyson Admitted To ‘Fighting Like A Coward’ After Trying To Break Rival’s Arm Before Defeat

At the peak of his powers, Mike Tyson was the most ferocious fighter to walk the planet.

‘Iron’ Mike entered the professional ranks when he was just 18-years-old, and very quickly became a rising star within the heavyweight division.

He won his first 19 outings via stoppage, with 12 of those coming inside the very first round. He was just 20-years when he blasted out Trevor Berbick in the two rounds to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history.

Tyson would go on to add the WBA and IBF titles to his collection with victories over James Smith and Tony Tucker respectively, before he was dethroned in a sensational upset victory for James ‘Buster’ Douglas in February 1990.

He got back to winning ways, but a prison stint saw him miss his prime years and, though he regained the heavyweight title against Frank Bruno in 1996, Tyson was hampered by many issues outside of the ring. The infamous ‘bite fight’ with Evander Holyfield came after, and the once feared heavyweight ended his career on back-to-back losses, the last of which came at the hands of Kevin McBride – a man he had referred to ‘a tomato can’ during the build-up.

After a frustrating showing in Washington in which Tyson resorted to dirty tactics, including attempting to twist McBride’s arm, he failed to answer the bell for the seventh round, retiring on his stool and ending a whirlwind campaign in the pro ranks.

In his post-fight interview, ‘Iron’ Mike admitted that he knew he was passed his formidable best.

“I got the ability to stay in shape, but I don’t got the fighting guts I don’t think anymore… I’m just sorry I let everyone down, I don’t have this in my heart anymore.

“I’m more conscious of my children and those guys, I’m looking at my opponents, I just don’t have that ferocity, I’m not an animal anymore. Yeah, most likely I’m not going to fight again, I’m not going to disrespect the sport anymore by losing like a coward in fights.”

“I’m not taking nothing away from Kevin, I don’t love this no more, I just don’t love this no more, I’ve not loved fighting since 1990, but Kevin congratulations on your career and good luck.”

After just shy of two decades away from the ring, Tyson made a return to boxing when he faced Jake Paul in a controversial showdown last November, suffering a unanimous decision defeat after eight underwhelming rounds at the AT&T Stadium in Texas.