“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,” said McBride to Bloody Elbow. “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.”

Tyson built his reputation as one of boxing’s most devastating punchers during the 1980s. At just 20 years old, he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history by knocking out Trevor Berbick in two rounds on November 22, 1986. He later unified the division with victories over James Smith and Tony Tucker, becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion before his 21st birthday.

By the time Tyson faced McBride in 2005, however, his career had dramatically declined. The former champion entered the fight having lost three of his previous five bouts and was no longer the explosive force that had dominated the heavyweight division.

Still, McBride says Tyson’s punching power remained exceptional despite the physical decline that accompanied the final years of his career.

The defeat proved to be Tyson’s last professional contest. After the sixth round, he informed his corner he was finished, effectively bringing the curtain down on one of boxing’s most celebrated and controversial careers.

Tyson later returned for an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020 before making a sanctioned comeback in November 2024, when he lost a unanimous decision to Jake Paul at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Although Tyson’s comeback divided opinion, McBride’s comments reinforce the reputation that followed “Iron Mike” throughout his career: even after his prime had passed, his power remained something