Mike Tyson says he will quit the ring for good after retiring on his stool before the seventh round of his latest comeback attempt against unknown Irishman Kevin McBride.
Tyson, not seen since his shock loss to Britain's Danny Williams 12 months ago, was expected to dismiss McBride in the early rounds as he embarked on another road to the heavyweight title.
But the former champion tired visibly after a bright start and resorted to head-butting his opponent in the sixth round before being bundled to the canvas, after which he staggered to his stool where the cornermen pulled him out.
"I can't do this anymore," said the dejected 38-year-old. "I can't lie to myself. I'm not going to embarrass the sport.
"I just don't have it in me. I'm just finished with this. I'm no good anymore. I don't think I have the stomach for this anymore. I don't have anything to fight for."
Tyson started cautiously while McBride was equally tentative, keen to keep his opponent at the end of his long jab.
Tyson was warned for low blows in the second as he went for the body, but a left hook snapped McBride's head back midway through the third round as Tyson found his range.
McBride, the tallest and heaviest opponent Tyson has fought, spoilt the former champion's work by clinching whenever he could, and by the fifth round his size was beginning to tell as he pinned Tyson on the ropes with hard inside shots.
In the sixth Tyson was becoming desperate, appearing to try snap McBride's arm coming out of a clinch before being deducted two points for an intentional head-butt.
But the Irishman wasn't fazed and shoved the exhausted Tyson to the ground seconds before referee Joe Cortez announced the end of the fight.
"I didn't want to get up. I was tired," Tyson said. "It wasn't in my heart. I was doing it, but I didn't want to go forward. I just didn't have the desire to continue fighting.
"I felt like I was 120 years old. I feel like Rip Van Winkle right now."
Although Tyson picked up a remarkable $5 million for the fight (McBride earned just $150,000), he remains deeply indebted to the Federal Government and must now face life away from the ring
This was on the sky sports website.
i have to say i was shocked when i read this, i thought he would always win as he is rock!!!