Mike Tyson returned to boxing in 1995 following a spell in prison as the world anticipated the comeback of a heavyweight wrecking ball.
“The Baddest Man on the Planet” had been out for over four years, defeating Donovan Ruddock in a summer 1991 rematch. Tyson was convicted of a heinous crime by a jury of his peers and lost many of his prime years locked behind bars.
A Pay Per View run worth millions of dollars opened up when he emerged from the cage. Medfield, Massachusetts native Peter McNeeley would be Tyson’s first victim in a headliner tagged ‘He’s Back!’
However, Tyson was robbed of a stoppage in the fight despite annihilating McNeeley for the 89 seconds the fight lasted. McNeeley’s manager, Vinnie Vecchion, made the cardinal sin of stopping the fight for McNeeley, leading to referee Mills Lane having no choice but to hand down a disqualification. An uppercut from Tyson had McNeeley wobbling all over the place, stemming from his decision to fight fire with fire against the former world champion from the first bell.
Vecchion took it upon himself to intervene as he knew McNeeley wouldn’t give up and would be staring at a potential wipeout knockout later in the round. Ultimately, McNeeley was saved from that inevitable eventuality.
Due to Vecchion’s actions, McNeeley could continue his career for another six years. He never reached the heights he hoped for, but at least he garnered the opportunity to share the ring with a bonafide boxing legend.
Mike Tyson lost his prime years
The victory for Tyson still counts on his KO record, but as a TKO rather than the undoubted KO he’d have garnered if he had been allowed to continue. Despite his timing being off, Tyson was once again a factor in the top division, even with the knowledge of many that he was only fighting for the money.
At 30 years of age, those four years out were cruel to Tyson. He was never the same, even after the loss to Buster Douglas. However, at least those around Tyson had enough mindfulness to keep him away from Evander Holyfield for fifteen months. Even four knockover stoppages couldn’t prepare Tyson for an inevitable defeat to Holyfield in 1996.
The latter decade of Mike Tyson’s career was merely a money-making exercise, from his release to the final nail against Kevin McBride. Sadly for ‘Iron’ Mike, his career at the top of the sport ended when Douglas landed those fateful blows in Tokyo.
In truth, forces outside the ring were to blame for the softening of one of boxing’s most ferocious champions.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.