Mike Tyson Returns to the Ring - and Back to Basics - to Face Kevin McBride June 11, 2005 at MCI Center

Mike Tyson Returns to the Ring - and Back to Basics - to Face Kevin McBride June 11, 2005 at MCI Center

Female Sensation Laila Ali Featured as Co-Main Event; DC's Own Sharmba Mitchell to Make Return MCI Appearance

Mike Tyson vs. Kevin McBride Laila Ali vs. Erin Toughill Sharmba Mitchell vs. TBA

Capital Explosion Saturday, June 11, 2005 MCI Center, Washington, DC Live on Pay Per View (9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT)

WASHINGTON, May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Former two-time heavyweight champion "IRON" MIKE TYSON (50-5, 44 KOs) will face Irish/American heavyweight KEVIN "THE CLONES COLOSSUS" McBRIDE (32-4, 27 KOs) on Saturday, June 11, 2005 at MCI Center in Washington, D.C. The fight -- CAPITAL EXPLOSION -- is promoted by Raging Promotions, Inc., The Stuckey Group LLC and PMG, Inc.

In talking about his highly-anticipated return to the ring, Tyson said, "DC is one of my favorite cities in the world. I am so excited about performing before these people who have embraced me like this is my hometown. I plan to give them a show that they will never forget."

Joining Tyson on this sure to be exciting card will be women's boxing champion LAILA "SHE BEE STINGIN" ALI (20-0, 17 KOs). The daughter of Muhammad Ali will defend her WIBA Light Heavyweight Championship in the co-main event against mixed martial arts veteran ERIN TOUGHILL (6-1-1; 1 NC). "I'm really excited to fight once again on a Marty Wynn, Raging Promotions show. In the co-main event, the heir to the greatest and now the latest, Laila Ali is making her second area appearance in less than one year. Ali fought in Bowie, Maryland last July before more than 10,000 fans in the midst of a rain storm. Though the opponents respect each other, there appears to be plenty of bad blood. Bad enough that Ali and Toughill had to be physically separated in the lobby of a radio station before a recent interview.

Further bolstering the already strong card will be one of greatest fighters to emerge from the nation's capital, former Lightweight and Junior Welterweight Champion SHARMBA "LITTLE BIG MAN" MITCHELL (55-4, 30 KOs). Mitchell will fight on the live broadcast against an opponent to be announced. Mitchell headlined the MCI Center's first-ever boxing event on April 24, 1999, scoring a 12-round majority decision over Reggie Green to retain his WBA Junior Welterweight Championship title. The southpaw from Takoma Park, Maryland suffered a 3rd Round TKO in a rematch with IBF Light Welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu in his last fight on November 6, 2004. "To come back and fight at the MCI Center in front of my hometown fans is a great honor and should be a tremendous experience," said Mitchell who has never lost a bout in Washington.

The bouts will be shown and distributed on Showtime Pay Per View (9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT)

"This was no easy venture to put together," said Marty Wynn, CEO of Raging Promotions, Inc, a Washington, D.C.-based promotional company that has dominated the local boxing scene since early last year. "We worked so hard to make this deal happen so all the fans in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area would have a chance to see the great Mike Tyson fight in a city where he is loved," said Wynn. "The MCI Center on June 11 is going to be sold out and I am anticipating one of the greatest, most raucous crowds in boxing history that night."

Tyson's opponent will be the accomplished and sturdy 6'6" Kevin McBride who hails from Ireland, but now resides in Brockton, Massachusetts. McBride is coming off an impressive TKO win over Kevin Montiy at Foxwoods Casinos in Connecticut on St. Patrick's Day. The powerful Irishman is no stranger to the list of possible Tyson opponents; his name was mentioned last year as possible opponent for Tyson before Danny Williams was selected. McBride is particularly anxious to get in the ring with Tyson after having to wait almost a year. "This is an opportunity I have waited for, and Mike is going to pay for making me wait," said McBride. "I feel strong; I just fought on March 18th, and am already in fighting shape and ready to go."

Tickets, priced at $700, $450, $250, $100 and $50 (plus applicable service charges and a $3 facility fee) are on sale through all Ticketmaster locations, including the MCI Center box office, via Phonecharge at 202-397-SEAT, 703-573-SEAT and 410-547-SEAT, online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ and out-of-town fans can call toll-free at 800-551-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 202-628-3200 ext. 5065. For more information please visit http://www.mcicenter.com/.

The Tyson-McBride telecast begins at 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT and carries a suggested retail price of $44.95. Tyson - McBride will be produced and distributed by Showtime Pay Per View and is promoted by Raging Promotions, in association with The Stuckey Group and PMG. Tyson - McBride will be available to over 50 million pay per view homes.

Source: Showtime Sports & Events

CONTACT: Ivy Moon-Furia, +1-212-708-7319, ivy.moon@showtime.net, Minerva
Martinez, +1-212-708-3276, minerva.martinez@showtime.net, both of Showtime
Sports & Events; or Mike Schaffer, +1-703-534-4600, ext. 202, mike@bwfcom.com,
Brian Bishop, +1-703-534-4600, ext. 210, brian@bwfcom.com, both of Brotman
Winter Fried Communications; or Sheila Francis of MCI Center, +1-202-628-3200
ext. 6042, sfrancis@washsports.com, all for Showtime

Web site: http://www.ticketmaster.com/
http://www.mcicenter.com/

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