Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson announced Tuesday that he will return to the boxing ring for the first time in nearly a year, fighting Irish-born journeyman Kevin McBride at the MCI Center in June.
"I just hope these people of Washington, DC, are prepared to handle this," Tyson said. "It's going to be a train wreck."
The 38-year-old Tyson, 50-5 with two no contests and 44 knockouts, lost two of his last three fights. In his most recent outing, in Louisville on July 30, he was stopped in the fourth round by Danny Williams after tearing cartilage in his left knee.
"I know Danny Williams don't think he won that fight," Tyson said.
He had surgery -- the knee is fine, Tyson said Tuesday -- and he's been training in Phoenix for three weeks.
But he spoke about how down he was after having his operation.
"I was in that little square-box room, and I was on crutches, and it was a very depressing atmosphere. I just fell into a deep depression," Tyson said. "Once those painkillers wore off, it was horrific. I didn't know what to do. I was just like a little spoiled brat. I was at my worst self."
Then he paused, and added: "I'm just so happy I'm happy again."
The Williams bout was Tyson's first in 17 months -- and his first loss in a non-title bout. He's entered the ring just once a year since 2001, earning a technical knockout victory over Brian Nielsen in October of that year, getting knocked out by Lennox Lewis in June 2002, and knocking out Clifford Etienne in February 2003.
McBride, 31, defeated Kevin Montiy by technical knockout on March 18 in his last fight. Based in Massachusetts, the 1.98m McBride is 32-4 with one draw and 27 knockouts.
"After I beat Mike, I want to fight for the world title," said McBride, who at least three times vowed: "I'm going to shock the world."
His manager, Rich Cappiello was more succinct.
"Mike Tyson gets knocked out within five rounds," Cappiello said, drawing a laugh from Tyson.
The man once called "the baddest man on the planet," Tyson sat on the stage at the Lincoln Theater with three of his children.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and