The time Mike Tyson came to Scotland and KO’d the referee amid comical 38-second Hampden blow-out

Mike Tyson will step into a professional boxing ring for the first time in nearly 20 years on Friday night when he finally gets it on with YouTube star-turned fighter Jake Paul.

Tyson fought former four weight world champion Roy Jones Jr in a eight round exhibition contest in November 2020 but last laced the gloves up in a professional sphere when he suffered a shock stoppage defeat to Irish heavyweight Kevin McBride in June 2005. At the turn of the 21st century, ex-undisputed heavyweight champion Tyson had launched one final attempt to regain his former glory with a string of fights between 1999 and 2002.

And it was during that time 'Iron Mike' fought in Scotland for the only time in his career. After knocking out Brit Julius Francis a the MEN Arena in Manchester in January 2000, it was announced that Scottish fans would have the chance to see the ageing star in action with Tyson facing off against another fringe level heavyweight in American boxer Lou Saverese at Hampden Park on June 24, 2000.

The bout had initially been stated to take place in Milan in May but was given a new date and venue after Tyson reportedly requested more time to train. The decision to allow Tyson back into the country for a second fight sparked protests due to his prior rape conviction – for which he served only three years of a six year sentence between 1992 and 1995 – but Glasgow City Council ultimately voted 10–1 in favour of the bout going ahead.

In a bid to raise his popularity, Tyson donned a Scotland shirt in the build-up to the fight, but as he made his ring walk at the national stadium on a rainy Saturday in Glasgow, the heavy-hitter was greeted by a half-empty Hampden Park with a lot of supporters simply able to walk up and purchase