AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Mike Tyson won amid a chorus of boos that poured down when Andrew Golota quit before the start of the third round in their heavyweight match Friday night in the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Golota was knocked down by a right hand late in the first round but got through the second round.
Then, just before the start of the third round, Golota left his corner and was told to return by referee Frank Garza. He pushed the referee, and Golota then signaled he was finished.
Tyson cursed at Golota, who left the ring under a shower of beer and popcorn.
It was a very unsatisfactory ending to what had the makings of an interesting fight.
The crowd of 16,228 continued to voice its displeasure when Tyson was declared the winner.
When Golota left his corner at the start of the third round, trainer Al Certo hollered to him, "What are you doing?" He tried to guide Golota back to his corner, and when he tried to insert the mouthpiece, Golota pushed him away.
Golota's purse was $2.2 million, while Tyson made $10 million.
It was another controversial ending to a Tyson fight, but this time the blame did not lie with Iron Mike.
The fight started as all Tyson bouts do with the former undisputed heavyweight champion charging out seeking to end it quickly
He was wild — although he opened a cut over Golota's left eye. Then, with 12 seconds remaining in the round, Tyson crashed a right hand to the head that toppled Golota.
Golota got up immediately and took the mandatory eight count, then the bell saved him from further punishment.
The second round was marked by a lot of clinching, although Tyson got in a couple of hard head shots and one solid left jab to the face.
There were no dirty tactics by either fighter, who have earned reputations for breaking the rules.
"I plan to fight clean as much as possible," Golota said before the fight.
It turned out he didn't have much fight in him — clean or dirty — at all.
The fight wasn't the kind Tyson was looking for, but it was a victory and he fought hard.
The loss has to end Golota's status as a contender or an attraction in the heavyweight division.
The 32-year-old native of Poland living in Chicago also quit against Michael Grant after being knocked down in the 10th round of a fight Golota was winning last Nov. 20.
Golota was twice disqualified for repeatedly hitting Riddick Bowe low. He also bit Samson Pou'ha on the shoulder and head-butted Danell Nicholson.
The victory was the fourth straight for Tyson, excluding a no-contest against Orlin Norris, since he was disqualified in the third round for biting Evander Holyfield's ears June 28, 1997.
Tyson has often talked about fighting heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, but at the weigh-in Thursday, he said this was his last fight. That announcement was greeted by considerable doubt.
The 34-year-old Tyson, who weighed 222 pounds, is 49-3 with 43 knockouts. It was listed as a TKO 3.
Golota, 240, is 36-5 with 29 knockouts.