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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)  |