Peter McNeeley is a former American heavyweight boxer who gained worldwide attention for his 1995 fight against Mike Tyson. Nicknamed “Hurricane” for his aggressive fighting style, McNeeley comes from a boxing family and competed professionally for a decade. He is best known as Mike Tyson’s first opponent after the former champion’s release from prison.
Peter McNeeley Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Peter Smith McNeeley |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 6 October 1968 |
| Age | 57 years old (as of 2026) |
| Place of birth | Medfield, Massachusetts, United States |
| Current residence | Massachusetts, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White (Irish descent) |
| Zodiac sign | Libra |
| Religion | Christian |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 220 lbs (100 kg) |
| Hair colour | Brown |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Marital status | Widower |
| Spouse | Annarita Petrosillo-McNeeley (deceased 2023) |
| Children | One daughter (Nadiya) |
| Alma mater | Bridgewater State College |
| Profession | Former professional boxer, boxing mentor |
| Net worth | $2 million (estimated) |
Who is Peter McNeeley?
Peter McNeeley is a retired heavyweight boxer from Medfield, Massachusetts. He earned the nickname “Hurricane” because of his swarming, aggressive fighting style that saw him charge at opponents from the opening bell.
McNeeley became a household name on August 19, 1995, when he faced Mike Tyson at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The fight lasted just 89 seconds and became one of boxing history’s most talked-about bouts.
Born into a boxing family, McNeeley is the son of Tom McNeeley Jr., who fought Floyd Patterson for the heavyweight championship in 1961.
Peter followed in his father’s footsteps and turned professional in 1991 after approximately 21 amateur fights. He fought professionally from 1991 to 2001, finishing with a record of 47 wins and 7 losses, with 36 victories coming by knockout.
How old is Peter McNeeley? Age and birthday
Peter McNeeley is 57 years old as of January 2026. He was born on 6 October 1968 in Medfield, Massachusetts. His zodiac sign is Libra.
Peter McNeeley’s height, weight, and body measurements
Peter McNeeley stands 6 feet 2 inches tall (188 cm) and weighed approximately 220 pounds (100 kg) during his active boxing career.
He has a reach of 77 inches (196 cm), which he used to his advantage in the ring. McNeeley fought exclusively in the heavyweight division and was known for his thick, muscular build.
Career
Early career
McNeeley graduated from Bridgewater State College with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Despite his academic achievements, boxing was in his blood.
He attended Medfield High School, where he initially focused on football before returning to boxing.
He began training at the legendary Petronelli Gym in Brockton, Massachusetts, the same gym that produced Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
McNeeley made his professional debut on August 23, 1991, at Nickerson Field in Boston, where he defeated Van Dorsey by first-round knockout.
Rise to prominence
McNeeley’s early career was marked by an impressive string of knockouts. His first six fights all ended in first-round knockouts, which quickly caught the attention of boxing promoters.
By 1994, he had compiled a record of 27-1 with 21 knockouts and signed with legendary promoter Don King.
Before the Tyson fight, McNeeley held a record of 36-1 and was ranked No. 7 by the World Boxing Association and No. 10 by the World Boxing Council. His aggressive, brawling style made him an entertaining fighter who always came to win.
The Mike Tyson fight
The defining moment of McNeeley’s career came on August 19, 1995. Mike Tyson, fresh out of prison after serving three years, needed an opponent for his comeback fight. McNeeley was selected and earned a purse of $400,000 while Tyson received $25 million.
Before the fight, McNeeley made headlines with his bold trash talk, promising to wrap Tyson in a “cocoon of horror.” He wore his signature green shorts and charged at Tyson from the opening bell.
Tyson knocked McNeeley down twice in the first round before McNeeley’s manager, Vinnie Vecchione, stepped into the ring after 89 seconds, causing a disqualification.
The fight generated 1.52 million pay-per-view buys and became one of the highest-selling boxing events of the 1990s. While McNeeley lost, the fight made him famous worldwide and provided financial security.
Post-Tyson career
McNeeley bounced back quickly from the Tyson defeat. On October 27, 1995, he returned to the ring at TD Garden in Boston and defeated Mike Sams via second-round knockout to win the USBF heavyweight title. He won his next three fights, all by knockout, between December 1995 and June 1996.
He continued fighting until 2001, facing opponents like Louis Monaco, Butterbean, and Mike Bernardo. His final fight was on June 7, 2001, in Cape Town, South Africa, where he lost to kickboxer Mike Bernardo by first-round knockout. McNeeley retired with a professional record of 47 wins, 7 losses, and 36 knockouts.
What is Peter McNeeley’s net worth?
As of 2026, Peter McNeeley’s net worth is estimated at $2 million. He earned the bulk of his fortune from his boxing career, with the $400,000 purse from the Mike Tyson fight representing his biggest payday.
His lifetime earnings from boxing and subsequent appearances at boxing events contributed to his wealth.
While some sources estimate his net worth between $500,000 and $10 million, the most reliable estimates place it around $2 million.
McNeeley also earned income from public appearances, interviews, and his involvement in the local Massachusetts boxing scene.
Is Peter McNeeley married? Wife and relationship status
Peter McNeeley was married to Annarita Petrosillo-McNeeley, who was born in Revere, Massachusetts.
The couple shared a strong bond and had one daughter together named Nadiya. Annarita was known in their community as a loving wife and mother with a big heart.
Tragedy struck on June 14, 2023, when Annarita passed away suddenly at her home in Everett, Massachusetts, at the age of 53. Her death left Peter and their daughter heartbroken.
Mike Tyson reportedly called McNeeley after hearing about his wife’s passing, showing the respect and friendship that had developed between the former opponents over the years.
As of 2026, McNeeley is a widower focused on honoring his late wife’s memory while staying involved with the boxing community in Massachusetts.
Social media presence
Peter McNeeley maintains an active presence on social media platforms. He has over 7,200 followers on Instagram (@peter.mcneeley as of January 2026), where he shares photos from his boxing career, family memories, and updates about the boxing world.
He describes himself as “The hard-hitting kid from BOSTON” and “Former WBC & WBA World Rated Heavyweight Contender.”
He also has a Facebook page called “Hurricane Peter McNeeley” with over 7,500 likes, where he interacts with fans and discusses boxing.
His official website, hurricanepetermcneeley.com, features his biography, fight records, and photo galleries from his career.
Fast facts about Peter McNeeley
- Peter McNeeley comes from a boxing family. His father, Tom McNeeley Jr., fought Floyd Patterson for the heavyweight title in 1961.
- He earned his “Hurricane” nickname due to his aggressive, swarming fighting style.
- McNeeley’s fight with Mike Tyson lasted only 89 seconds but generated 1.52 million pay-per-view buys.
- He wore signature green shorts throughout his boxing career, which became part of his identity.
- McNeeley holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Bridgewater State College.
- He won the USBF heavyweight title just two months after losing to Mike Tyson.
- Peter’s brother Shawn McNeeley and other family members have been involved in his boxing journey.
- He trained at the legendary Petronelli Gym in Brockton, Massachusetts, where Marvin Hagler also trained.
- McNeeley has been open about his struggles with substance abuse and has been sober since 2014.
- He still resides in Massachusetts and remains active in the local boxing scene as a mentor.
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Wrapping up
Peter McNeeley remains one of boxing’s most memorable characters despite his brief moment in the spotlight. His courageous performance against Mike Tyson, combined with his colorful personality and fighting spirit, earned him a permanent place in boxing history.
Today, he lives quietly in Massachusetts, cherishing the memory of his late wife Annarita while contributing to the sport that defined his life. His story serves as a reminder that sometimes the journey matters more than the destination.
References
- Wikipedia – Peter McNeeley
- BoxRec – Peter McNeeley Professional Boxing Record
- Hurricane Peter McNeeley Official Website
- Wikipedia – Mike Tyson vs. Peter McNeeley
- Daily Voice – Obituary: Annarita Petrosillo-McNeeley
- The Guardian – Mike Tyson comeback fight 30 years on
- Express UK – Mike Tyson’s call to former opponent after wife’s death
- Boxing Scene – Mike Tyson-Peter McNeeley turns 30
- MartialBot – Peter McNeeley Boxing Record & Stats
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