KEVIN MCBRIDE will forever be remembered as the man who retired boxing icon Mike Tyson.
Tyson was a shell of the man who struck fear into heavyweights in the late 80s and 90s when he laced up his gloves for his Washington war with McBride – who was somewhat of a journeyman at the time – in June 2005.
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Kevin McBride locked horns with Mike Tyson in June 2005Credit: REUTERS
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The Irishman put a beating on the former undisputed heavyweight championCredit: AP
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Tyson was unable to continue after the end of the sixth roundCredit: REUTERS
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McBride now spends his days working with a tree surgeonCredit: GETTY
Most thought Tyson would get back to winning ways, despite his lacklustre display in his defeat to Brit Danny Williams 11 months earlier.
But the Baddest Man on The Planet was chopped down by the Irishman – who was responsible for perhaps one of the most iconic pictures of Tyson’s career – and suffered a fifth-round TKO defeat.
And chopping down things is something McBride is now all too familiar with in his post-fight career as he’s now a tree surgeon.
In an interview with the Daily Mail ahead of Tyson’s ring return in 2020, the 50-year-old revealed: “I work with a tree surgeon now.
“He has me dropping trees, clearing snow, shouting ‘timber’ and all that.”
McBride never envisaged chopping down trees in his post-fight career but is happy with his new gig.
He said: “It is good. It keeps me busy. My job is I pick things up and I put things down.”
Having the title of being the last man to beat Tyson is something most would sing and shout about.
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Kevin McBride seldom reflects back on his historic win over Iron MikeCredit: AFP
But not McBride, who seldom watches back the biggest moment of his career.
He said: “It is coming up more often at the moment because every time they say about him making a comeback.
“They say I was the last guy to beat him. I like that.
“I don’t sit around re-watching the fight but someone put a clip on Facebook recently and I saw it – dream come true, isn’t it?”
Tyson returned to the ring in November 2020 for an exhibition bout with fellow great Roy Jones Jr, which ended in a draw.
The former undisputed heavyweight champion has flirted with the prospect of lacing up his gloves again but has yet to do so.
Iron Mike was recently linked to a shock showdown with MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko in Saudi Arabia later this year.
But SunSport exclusively revealed he’s NOT in negotiations to box the Russian.
A source said: “This is false. Mr. Tyson has not spoken to anyone in his camp.
“He is not interested in doing a fight with him now or in the future.”
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Mike Tyson returned to the ring in November 2020 for a clash with Roy Jones Jr
