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Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson sinks to
the canvas after being pushed by Kevin McBride of Ireland in the
sixth round. Tyson plans to leave the US and seek happiness with missionary work after
ending a controversial 20-year boxing career that saw him win and
lose a fortune but seldom find joy.
(AFP) |
Mike Tyson plans to leave the United States and
seek happiness with missionary work after ending a controversial 20-year
boxing career that saw him win and lose a fortune but seldom find joy.
Tyson retired here Saturday after losing for the third time in his
past four fights, quitting after six rounds against Irish journeyman Kevin
McBride, a humbling end for a once-mighty undisputed world heavyweight
champion.
"I'm basically finished doing this stuff. I'm not going to make a fool
out of myself and embarrass myself anymore," Tyson said. "It's difficult
to fight when your heart isn't in it."
Tyson was pushed against the ropes by McBride and dropped to the canvas
on his rear as the sixth round ended. Tyson sat dazed for 15 seconds
before rising and walking slowly to his corner, the final act of his
fighting career.
"It took him an eternity to get up," said Australian Jeff Fenech,
Tyson's trainer. "I could see in his eyes that he didn't want to be there.
I never saw him really get hurt by McBride's punches, but he was
exhausted."
Having burned through 300 million dollars, and with most of his five
million dollars from the McBride fight being used to pay off debts, Tyson
found he had no reason to take the punishment any longer.
"I don't have anything to fight for anymore," Tyson said. "When I first
started I had nothing. I wanted something. I don't want anything anymore."
Tyson was hungry when he became the youngest
champion in heavyweight history in 1986 at age 20, but he lost to 42-1
underdog
Buster Douglas in
1990 at Tokyo and a 1992 rape conviction led to three years in prison.
Tyson briefly returned to the top in 1996 but bit Evander Holyfield's
ears in the ring during a 1997 title fight and was banned for a year. With
no major triumph since, the twice-divorced father of three became bankrupt
and beaten.
"At one point I thought life was about acquiring things. But as life
goes on we lose more things than we gain," Tyson said. "I have wealthy
children. I don't have any money but they have a great life.
"I'm not trying to screw the prettiest girl... I'm just trying to stay
balanced."
Tyson, who turns 39 on June 30, doubts he can ever escape his past
while living in America.
"I'll never be successful in this country. I have
to go somewhere abroad," Tyson said. "I don't think I'm going to do too
well in this country because I'm stigmatized
.
"You have to deal in the real. I may be bizarre sometimes but I'm a
natural. I understand my situation. I don't want to lose to myself. I just
want to be a man who is fully aware of his situations and who is happy in
life."
Tyson said that would come from missionary work, although he gave no
clue about his destination once he leaves his homeland,
"I just want to do something that helps someone. I just want to help
somebody," Tyson said. "I have to be helping. I have to be contributing to
something. If I don't I feel emotionally dead."
Asked about going to Sudan, Tyson said: "The reason African-Americans
are slaves in this country is because the Arabs sold us to the
Christians".
"It's a pretty horrific situation," Tyson said. "I don't know if I'm
capable of doing any missionary work without being killed."
Tyson rejected such ideas as television commentary and helping
inner-city youth.
"I'm not interested in these swan songs," Tyson said. "I'm not too
media friendly."
As Tyson delivered a self-effacing farewell, fans cried and touched him
harder than any ring rival could have.
"Save your tears. I don't know how to handle people crying," Tyson
said. "I am a cold, cruel and hard person. You must not be sensitive when
it comes to me."
When a promoter prompted a standing ovation, it was too much for Tyson.
"No. No. No. Sit down. Sit down. Listen, all that is bull...," Tyson
said. "I'm just a man handling all my situations. I don't need anybody
applauding me. Please. People have given me enough applause in my life.
Don't applaud me.
"I've been abused every way a man can be. I'm as hard and cold as they
get."
(Agencies) |