I'm the real deal, says McBride

Kevin McBride insists he is a “legitimate contender” for the world heavyweight title after his sensational defeat of Mike Tyson in Washington DC.

The Ulster journeyman stopped the legendary 38-year-old after the sixth round as Tyson was retired on his stool, prompting the announcement of his intention to retire.

McBride, 32, began the fight well and after standing up to Tyson’s attacks in the third and fourth rounds, began to capitalise on his opponent’s ageing legs by dominating the fight at the MCI Center.

Tyson had been docked two points in the sixth round for headbutting and was earlier warned by referee Joe Cortez for low punching.

“It’s great, it’s great for Ireland. Ireland has been crying out for a heavyweight for a long time and I am a legitimate contender now, not a pretender,” said McBride.

“I told Mike it was going to be fast and it was,” he said after the fight, televised in the United Kingdom by Setanta Sports.

“He (Tyson) is a warrior and I respect him, and I’m a warrior – I came with all the heart from Ireland.

“Tyson is a clever man, he was trying to look for an opening but thank God he didn’t get a punch on.”

“I’d like to thank my father because he was the first man to show me how to make a fist.

“I’m not the fastest man in the world but I’ve got a big heart.”

McBride admitted he would love to take a world title back to Ireland.

“I’m going be the first Irish-born heavyweight champion in the world,” he claimed.

The fight began slowly with Tyson cautious against the towering Ulsterman, who was also reluctant to march forward.

After starting the first two rounds well Tyson enjoyed more success in the third and stepped up a gear in the fourth, 6ft 6in McBride shrugging off a number of power shots as Tyson threw single punches to the head and body, claiming the round despite a suspect clash of heads and two more punches below the waist.

The bout swung back towards the lumbering Irishman’s favour, however, when Tyson, visibly tired in the fifth, was forced to take a number of solid shots.

Desperate Tyson was docked two points for another headbutt in the sixth round which split McBride’s left eyebrow open. At the end of the round Tyson was pushed onto the canvas and, as the bell went, appeared to struggle to his feet.

When his corner signalled to referee Joe Cortez Tyson had had enough with the fight slipping from his grasp, McBride’s corner leapt to their feet in celebration.

Tyson, who lost his last fight against Briton Danny Williams in July last year, confirmed he will retire.

“I’m not going to fight again. I’m not taking anything away from Kevin, I don’t like this (boxing) anymore. I haven’t loved fighting since 1990.

“I’m just fighting to take care of my bills. I don’t have that ferocity. I’m not an animal anymore,” he admitted.