 |
| People In The News / Where Are They Now? - PETER McNEELEY |
Original broadcast date: Saturday June 1, 2002 at 11:30 AM EST |
|
The 1995 Tyson-McNeeley fight, which broke all existing sales records at the time, remains one of the highest grossing pay-per-view events ever. The son of a former heavyweight contender, Peter McNeeley made a name for himself that night by becoming the first fighter to charge right at Tyson, aggressively attacking from the opening bell. He even managed to land some shots and back Tyson up in the brief but action-packed fight. Although McNeeley's gutsy style won over some fans, the controversial stoppage that occurred when his manager entered the ring after a knockdown still rankles many boxing enthusiasts to this day. It was a humiliating ending, one that could have wrecked most careers - but not McNeeley's. |
  |
|
So where is Peter McNeeley now? McNeeley played up his new-found stardom, going toe-to-toe with a slice from Pizza Hut and hawking the then-new America Online in popular commercials. The Hurricane still lives in Medfield, Massachusetts, where he is active in many local charities. He trains and continues to fight, including a recent headlining bout in Las Vegas against Eric "Butterbean" Esch. |
|
|
If you're looking for an attraction, McNeeley is always on call to box. According to the Hurricane, "Have gloves, will travel." |
Click here for more photos:  |
This profile aired as a segment of CNN's "People In The News" series. The show, a collaborative effort of CNN and People magazine, was broadcast approximately a dozen times during the week of June 1 - 7, 2002. |
While "Hurricane" Peter McNeeley didn't exactly wrap Iron Mike in a coccoon of horror like he predicted before the bout, he will always be remembered as Mike Tyson's first opponent after being released from prison.
