MIKE TYSON w dq 1 PETER McNEELEY
August 19, 1995; MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV
NOBODY gave Peter McNeeley a sniff of a chance against Mike Tyson. No matter. This was all about the return of a superstar after imprisonment kept him out of the ring for four years. Fans all over the world combined to make this mismatch the biggest pay-per-view event in boxing history at the time. And to be fair, it was fun while it lasted. Upon hearing the opening bell, the underdog swung at Tyson like a drunk trying to dissuade a wasp from landing in his beer. Down within seconds after walking into a counter, McNeeley continued his insane approach before being clattered to the deck twice more. Mills Lane struggled to keep control before McNeeley’s manager, Vinnie Vecchione, entered the ring to rescue his man and trigger a disqualification in Tyson’s favour.
DID YOU KNOW? Marc Ratner, executive director of Nevada’s boxing commission, said afterwards: “We are going to keep the manager’s share of the purse. The fighter will get his full share. He was here to fight.”
WATCH OUT FOR: The pre and post-fight interviews with McNeeley have to be seen to be believed.
