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It is summed up by Mike Tyson’s phone call to his former opponent after his wife’s death

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Mike Tyson defeated Peter McNeeley in his comeback fight (Photo: Getty Images)

Mike Tyson’s intimidating personality may still be getting ahead of him, but a former opponent has shared a heartwarming story about the boxing legend’s compassionate side.

Peter “The Hurricane” McNeeley, who faced Tyson in the ring in 1995, spoke warmly about how the former heavyweight champion provided emotional support during a particularly tough time in his life.

In an exclusive interview ahead of his upcoming fight with Jake Paul, McNeeley revealed Reflect American sports how Tyson was a pillar of strength following the sudden death of his wife Annarta in June 2023. Despite his turbulent past in the ring, Tyson expressed his condolences and support.

Mike Tyson

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 23: Mike Tyson attends the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix’s “Starting 5” on September 23, 2024 at the Egyptian Hollywood Theater in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) (Photo: Getty Images)

McNeeley’s wife, Annarita, tragically passed away at her home on June 14, 2023 at the age of 53, leaving her 56-year-old husband in a tough situation. But Tyson’s thoughtful gesture helped lift his spirits during shadowy times.

“It was tough when my wife died. It’s still tough to talk about it,” McNeeley admitted. “And she didn’t die for two days and Mike Tyson called me. Now, because he’s a West Coast guy now, when he called me, I didn’t understand because my phone was turned off and I was already in bed and sleeping on the East Coast.”

“But the next day I saw missed calls and didn’t recognize the number he was calling from. Then he texted me to send his condolences and I called him right away. He answered and said, “What’s going on, brother… I’m so sorry for your loss.

Choking up as he said this, McNeeley remarked, “Such class and respect from a two-time champion. It just meant a lot to me.”

McNeeley said he preferred to keep details of their candid conversation private out of respect for their bond, but revealed: “People don’t know this side of Mike Tyson. He does a lot of work for good causes. he looks after his friends. He is very steadfast.”

Peter McNeeley unfortunately lost his wife

Peter McNeeley unfortunately lost his wife (Photo: McNeeley)

He continued to talk about their relationship, saying, “It’s nice to have a friend like Mike. The fact that we don’t talk to each other for a few years doesn’t make any difference. He became like a brother. Mike is not a bad person. Grief is a process. Mike understands what it’s like to grieve the loss of his 8-year-old daughter. This puts the man to a mental test.

Discussing how he is coping with the loss of his wife today, McNeeley said: “I don’t want to say anything about her death other than I loved her very much. And you know what life is like. And she would probably think so. At least that’s what I like to think.”

The famed clash in which Tyson mercilessly defeated McNeeley in less than ninety seconds during his eagerly anticipated comeback fight in 1995 was recalled – it marked Tyson’s return to the professional ring after a three-year prison sentence for rape. McNeeley was completely stunned by Tyson’s agility and precision, resulting in a match that drew the largest pay-per-view television audience at the time.

McNeeley’s brush with fame didn’t end in the ring; his likable personality led to television commercials and speaking engagements. However, he always regretted not thanking Tyson in person until a twist of fate in September 2008 provided him with a chance meeting through his former limo driver, Dave.

Recounting the story, McNeeley said, “This time Mike was in Boston and by accident he was being driven by my ancient limo driver, Dave. Dave called me and said, “Pete, you’ll never believe this, I’m managing Mike Tyson? Should I say something about you? McNeeley, wanting a rematch, told Dave: “I said, ‘Hell yes… you can assist me get a rematch.’ I just got the news Mike was thinking of! was fun and said Mike would like to have dinner sometime if you have time. Some time passed and Dave came and said Mike wanted to take me out to dinner.

Time passed and then Dave informed McNeeley that Tyson wanted to have dinner with him. “I came home and Tyson came on my voicemail on my landline asking if I wanted to call. “The next thing I knew, the limo driver was banging on my door saying Tyson was in his hotel room in Cambridge with his second wife and their kids.”

The meeting was cordial, McNeeley recalled: “Mike shook my hand, hugged me, and talked to me for about 15 minutes. I’m still grateful that I got to spend that time with him because there was so much more going on in his life than meeting Me.”

He appreciated the personal interaction away from the media frenzy that usually surrounds Tyson, noting, “It was nice to be with him without TV, cameras, a press conference or fights. These things come out of proportion around these fights and Mike. People are just people. Everyone puts on their pants the same way.

“He seemed to me a nice, down-to-earth and humble guy. It was something special. I didn’t hear the news until nine years later, in 2007, when someone gave me my landline number, called me, and we ended the conversation. talk for several months.”

Tyson called McNeeley to comfort him

Tyson called McNeeley to comfort him (Photo: McNeeley)

“We called each other and every time he kept asking, ‘Peter, how is your father?’ This is respect. He knew that my dad fought Floyd Patterson and Jose Torres who were two of his mentors Cus D” Amato fighters and of course Mike knows his boxing history.

“It’s nice to talk to him on a normal level. I’m not one of his best friends, but it was great to have the connection we had. Mike talked about me publicly and always said nice things about me. he’s a great guy – I love him, I’m glad he’s doing so well, and when Mike does well and our names are linked from there.”

McNeeley predicts Tyson will triumph in his last fight. The fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will be broadcast on Netflix from ATandT Stadium in Arlington, Texas on November 15.

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UK Boxing

Jake Paul could fight Anthony Joshua next if the YouTuber’s stance on the British boxer is clear

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Jake Paul has decided to fight the sport’s established elites after defeating Mike Tyson, his promotional partner has revealed.

Paul won last week’s big-money fight in Texas by unanimous decision, but the YouTuber-turned-boxer was criticized for taking on the 58-year-old.

However, after the fight, it is believed that Paul will be looking to take his boxing career to the next level and will want to “test the limits of what is possible” in the ring.

I’m talking to Heavenly sportspromoter Nakisa Bidarian said: “He has a lot of options. He will take a few days off and next week we will meet with him, his advisors and coaches to determine next steps.

“It was an opportunity to capture the world’s attention and remind them why it is such a stunning sport. Jake was instrumental in this during the Mike Tyson match and we strategically placed Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano right in front of them.

“As for Jake’s future – honestly, whatever he wants.”

Speculation is rife as to who Paul might face next, with Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua among his potential opponents.

Dubois even called out the 27-year-old after the Tyson fight, posting on social media: “Hi Jake, good business this weekend, but how would you feel about fighting for the legitimate world heavyweight championship, Daniel Dubois calling you out Let’s get into it.

Bidarian revealed that this is something his client would like to get involved with.

He continued: “Jake gave me the word that I wanted to do this fight [against Dubois]. Not now. But I want to fight this fight.

“I want to do this by wanting to become the world cruiserweight champion. The second is to test the boundaries of expectations. Testing the limits of what is possible.

“That event with Mike Tyson, which tested the limits of what the world could see, and his fight with Anthony Joshua or Daniel Dubois, are in a way the same thing.

“Jake weighed 227 pounds, but he actually weighs 215 pounds. But he will do it under the right conditions and within the right framework.”

According to reports, Paul earned £32 million for the fight with Tyson, but Bidarian would like to emphasize that the American is not involved in the sport for the money.

When asked about Paul’s motives, Bidarian stated: “It’s not about the money. He has made a lot of money since he was 18. It’s really about disruption.

“It’s really about doing things that make you say, ‘Wow, that really happened.’ That excites us.”

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UK Boxing

Amir Khan is yet to support Mike Tyson’s pledge as Jake Paul “accepts” a modern fight offer

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Amir Khan has promised to “slap” Jake Paul if he beats Mike Tyson, although it’s unclear whether he intends to do so. Last weekend, Paul secured a unanimous points victory over Tyson in front of 72,000 fans at AT&T Stadium in Texas, with tens of millions more watching on Netflix.

The controversial fight did not live up to expectations, with “Iron Mike” physically weakening after just two rounds due to the overall lack of drama. Nevertheless, it captured the world’s attention as Tyson, 58, faced a man 31 years his junior in his first professional fight in almost two decades.

In a pre-competition speech, British boxing icon Khan said she would like to “give it to him”. [Paul] a little slap and I’ll get him done’ should he triumph over ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’. “Mike is a friend of mine, I FaceTime him and we talk, but when you have a 58-year-old man fighting a teenage fighter in his prime, you really feel bad for him,” Khan, 37, said.

“But you can’t feel too sorry for Mike Tyson because he took that opportunity. It’s arduous, but I wouldn’t want to jump into the ring.

“Ultimately, it was Mike’s decision to go into the ring and fight. If he gets beat, you want to protect your friend and step in and say I’m going to beat him, so if he beats Mike Tyson, yeah, I’d definitely like to slap him a little bit and put an end to it.”

It is unclear whether Paul, 27, would be ready to fight Khan, although the Bolton-born former pro may have to wait in line. The likes of Carl Froch and Tony Bellew have challenged ‘The Problem Child’, as has IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, who defeated Anthony Joshua in a thrilling clash at Wembley Stadium in September.

On X, Paul shared a message from Dubois that read: “Hi Jake. Good business on the weekend, but how would you feel about fighting for the legitimate heavyweight championship of the world? Daniel Dubois is calling. Let’s do it. “

In response, Paul sent back a photo of the scoop along with the message: “Get in line.” He then added: “The guy has been boxing for 12 years, had over 100 fights between amateurs and professionals, and fought on my card… hahaha. But fuck it… I’ll ask Nakisa to talk to Frank Warren and you’ll be put in line for the throne, unlike Arthur, you have at least a few thousand fans.”

Time will tell if Paul will actually step into the ring with 27-year-old Dubois, especially considering the YouTuber’s history of choosing opponents who are not professional boxers. That said, last year he insisted he had dreams of becoming world champion and a fight with Dubois would give him the chance to achieve that.

“I’m going to be a world champion, and these fights are just a stepping stone to achieve that goal,” Paul said in 2023. “I’m slowly making progress. I have sparred with world champions and performed phenomenally against them, so who knows what might happen in two or three years when I reach the peak of my sport? I’m starting to really understand this sport and all of its aspects.

“It’s really scary what could happen. “Not only do I think I’m going to be a world champion, but I think I’m going to be a dominant world champion and I’m going to knock someone out for the belt.”

So far, 11 of Paul’s 12 professional fights have been against other content creators, MMA stars or, in Tyson’s case, retired boxers. The only established professional boxer the Ohio native has faced is Tommy Fury, who defeated him by split decision in February 2023.

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UK Boxing

Nigel Benn wants to aid restore Anthony Joshua’s hunger

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Dubois destroyed Joshua in five rounds Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Nigel Benn wants to help Anthony Joshua on his comeback journey Photo: @nigelbennofficial
Nigel Benn wants to aid Anthony Joshua on his comeback journey Photo: @nigelbennofficial

Nigel Benn admits he would love to aid Anthony Joshua recover from his defeat to Daniel Dubois.

Joshua fell four times on his way to his devastating goal defeat in the fifth round with IBF heavyweight champion Dubois at Wembley Stadium in September.

“AJ” was ruled out of an immediate rematch with the 27-year-old because he needed more time to recover from injuries suffered in the fight.

Former two-weight world champion Benn believes that the Watford player is able to recover from the fourth defeat in his career and will be cheerful to give him some advice.

“I still believe Anthony can come out of this,” Benn said In front.

Dubois defeated Joshua in five rounds. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Dubois defeated Joshua in five rounds. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

– But we need to put some mutt on him.

“I know he has it in him.

“I would love to be in the gym with him.

“I’m not saying he lacks encouragement, but you need to awaken that mutt inside you that I know is in you and I still think he can turn this around.”

Joshua with Nigel Benn (right) and Conor Benn (left)
Joshua with Nigel Benn (right) and Conor Benn (left)

Promoter of the 35-year-old, Eddie Hearn does not rule out a second fight with Dubois, but admits that his player will wait for the result of the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, which will take place on December 21, before deciding on his next move.

“AJ” has already lost twice to Usyk, but the long-awaited, all-British clash with Fury has not yet taken place.

Despite the lure of a potential meeting with the ‘Gypsy King’, Benn insists Joshua will take revenge on Usyk, looking to avenge his loss to Dubois before moving on to another opponent.

Fury and Usyk will face each other again on December 21. Photo: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry Promotions
Fury and Usyk will face each other again on December 21. Photo: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry Promotions

“I’m not going to throw away training or anything, but you have to bring that hunger with you,” the 60-year-old added.

“But I don’t think he should go anywhere else but to fight Dubois.”

Dubois is scheduled to defend his title on February 22, but remains without an opponent, although he has been heavily linked to both Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.

The Londoner offered Jake Paul the shocking opportunity to meet him following his victory over Mike Tyson last Friday in Texas, after which Paul posted a DM from the heavyweight champion.

“Hi Jake, good business this weekend,” Dubois said to Paul.

“But how would you feel fighting for the legitimate heavyweight championship of the world.

“This is Daniel Dubois calling you.

“Let’s get on with it.”

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