On This Day: ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson Quit Professional Boxing for Good

Published 06/11/2022, 9:30 AM EDT

Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is one of the living legends in the sport of boxing. In fact, June 11, 2005, marks the date when ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ ended his professional career.

End of the road – former heavyweight king Mike Tyson's professional career came to a close #OnThisDay in 2005 when he retired after six rounds of his bout with Kevin McBride at the MCI Center in Washington DC. pic.twitter.com/9rqTm0zvVV
— Historic Boxing (@BoxerJoeGrim) June 11, 2022

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Tyson faced Kevin McBride at the MCI Center in Washington DC. Notably, the fight was Tyson’s comeback after a year-long hiatus following his loss against Danny Williams.

However, the fight was a disappointment for boxing fans. In fact, fans were distraught to see the once formidable ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson laboring himself against McBride.

Moreover, McBride used his height advantage to deliver devastating blows at the former champ. A battered Tyson called it quits after the 6th round, bringing a rather lackluster ending to his illustrious professional career.

Even though Tyson was leading on the judges’ scorecards, his quitting made McBride the winner by technical knockout.

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The formidable Mike Tyson

A prime Mike Tyson was indeed a force to reckon with. In fact, many boxers once shuddered at the thought of facing the formidable heavyweight in the ring.

A 19-year-old Tyson faced Michael Johnson at the Atlantis Hotel and Casino on September 5, 1985. Fans were curious as to how the young gun would perform. Tyson surprised boxing fans by delivering a jaw-dropping knockout barely 39 seconds into the bout.

Notably, this was the first knockout in Tyson’s professional career.

Tyson faced the intimidating Henry Tillman after suffering the first loss in his professional career. From the very start, it was apparent that the former champ was out for blood. In fact, Tyson ended the bout with a devastating right blow 2:47 mins into the first round.

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One of Tyson’s most sensational victories was against Larry Holmes at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City On January 22, 1988. Tyson and his trainer Cus D’Amato had wished to avenge Muhammad Ali’s loss at the hands of Holmes.

‘The baddest man on the planet’ knocked Holmes out in the 4th round, which was in fact the first KO Holmes suffered in his career.

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What do you think of Tyson’s professional career? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer for EssentiallySports. He started his career as an editorial cartoonist and holds a BFA degree with a specialization in Animated Filmmaking and Screenwriting from AISFM, Hyderabad. An avid lover of boxing history, Joshua believes his writing extends his lifelong adoration for combat sports.

Edited by:

Ajinkya Aswale

On This Day: ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson Quit Professional Boxing for Good

The formidable Mike Tyson

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