Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson worked the slip bag, sparred and shadow boxed before cooling down after a spirited 90-minute training session Thursday at The Central Gym in Phoenix, Arizona.

"I'm feeling good and the hard work is paying off. I can feel it," said Tyson, who makes his eagerly awaited return to the ring against Kevin McBride June 11 on SHOWTIME Pay Per View. "I have been training for almost two months and feel excited about where I am at. It's funny, but I am doing all the little things now in training that I should have done when I was younger. I am working much harder. I am planning to fight a lot in the next 12 months. Now is the time to make my move.''

Head trainer Jeff Fenech said: "I am proud of the effort Mike's putting into the preparation for this fight. On June 11, the world is not going to see a new Mike Tyson, but the old one." Said Tom Patti: "I'm pleased to see Mike working as hard as he is, with such determination and enthusiasm."

5-13-2005