McBride's victory over Tyson marked the end of Iron Mike's professional career. It was a significant upset, considering Tyson's fearsome reputation and impressive record. Before facing McBride, Tyson had amassed 50 wins, with a staggering 44 of those coming by knockout.
Tyson's career was filled with highlight-reel moments. He stormed through the heavyweight division early on, winning his first 19 professional fights by knockout. Twelve of those knockouts came in the first round. In 1986, at just 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days old, Tyson became the youngest world heavyweight champion by knocking out Trevor Berbick in two rounds.
Tyson's rise to the top was meteoric. He unified the heavyweight titles and scored notable wins over boxing legends like Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks. His combination of ferociousness, speed, and power made him one of the most feared fighters in boxing history.
Recently, McBride spoke about the lingering effects of Tyson's power. In an interview with FightHype, he said:
"Mike Tyson's power is unbelievable. I still feel it to this day, more than 19 years later. He hits so hard and power is the last thing to go. George Foreman proved that against Michael Moorer. Sure he was a bit younger than Mike is now but power-wise it is one of the biggest punches in history."
McBride's comments highlight a well-known boxing adage: a fighter's power is often the last attribute to fade. George Foreman famously demonstrated this when he knocked out Michael Moorer to regain the heavyweight title at 45 years old.
Tyson recently returned to the ring at 58 years old for a controversial bout against Jake Paul. Despite losing the fight, there's no doubt that Tyson's power remains a topic of fascination for boxing fans and former opponents alike.
As for Tyson's future in the ring, he has made comments about whether he plans to fight again after the Paul bout. Regardless of what comes next, his impact on the sport and the lasting impression of his punching power continue to be felt long after his prime years in the ring.