Ireland’s Kevin McBride, who famously sent Mike Tyson into retirement in 2005, has expressed his interest in a rematch, saying: “Let’s get it on!”
Tyson, 54, has captivated the boxing and wider world with his physical transformation and return in an eight-round exhibition bout with a 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr. in California on September 12.
Should that journey continue, McBride would love the opportunity to face Tyson again, having originally shocked ‘Iron Mike’ with a sixth-round retirement win at the MCI Center in Washington in June 2005.
“Let’s get it on! Definitely would love to fight him again,” McBride, 47, told TMZ Sports. “Nobody can rule out anything in this world because that’s life.
“It would be explosive to fight Mike Tyson again and I’m sure Mike would love to rectify his loss and I would just love to jump in the ring again with him.”
The 6ft 6ins McBride now works as a labourer for a tree company in Brighton, Massachusetts, utilising his strength for heavy lifting among other duties.
Should the Tyson rematch transpire (and, let’s face it, stranger things have happened in 2020), the Irishman would use the payday to help put his children through the US college system.
McBride’s boss at Brendan Hoarty Tree Services has already promised the Irishman time off so he could train for any rematch.
“Being in the same ring as [Tyson] was like a dream one true for me,” recalled the affable McBride. “I got to meet Muhammad Ali the same night because his daughter [Laila] fought on the undercard so I met two legends in one night.”
Main image: Chris Greenberg/Zuma Press/PA Images.