USA: BOXING - MIKE TYSON KNOCKS OUT CLIFFORD ETIENNE IN OPENING SECONDS OF FIRST ROUND OF HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT

Record ID: 648059

  • Title: USA: BOXING - MIKE TYSON KNOCKS OUT CLIFFORD ETIENNE IN OPENING SECONDS OF FIRST ROUND OF HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
  • Date: 25th February 2003
  • Summary: MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA. (FEBRUARY 22, 2003)(REUTERS) 1. STILL PICTURE MIKE TYSON GLARES AT CLIFFORD ETIENNE BEFORE FIGHT 2. STILL PICTURE MIKE TYSON AND CLIFFORD ETIENNE BOTH MISS AT START OF FIGHT 3. STILL PICTURE TYSON CONNECTS ON A RIGHT HOOK EARLY IN FIGHT 4. STILL PICTURE TYSON LANDS THE KNOCK OUT PUNCH 5. STILL PICTURE TYSON HEADS TO A NEUTRAL CORNER AFTER KNOCKING ETIENNE TO CANVAS 6. STILL PICTURE ETIENNE LIES ON THE CANVAS AS THE REFEREE COUNTS TO TEN 7. STILL PICTURE TYSON TRIES TO HELP ETIENNE BACK TO HIS FEET AFTER THE FIGHT 8. STILL PICTURE TYSON RAISES HIS ARMS AS HE LEAVES THE RING Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 12th March 2003 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MEMPHIS, UNITED STATES
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA1I9H5IG6HZPHDYW0IE3DZ5C7X
  • Story Text: Mike Tyson has scored the emphatic victory he needed,
    knocking out Clifford Etienne in the opening seconds of the
    first round of their scheduled 10-round heavyweight bout on
    his way to a possible rematch against undisputed world
    champion Lennox Lewis of Great Britain.

    Following a string of less than impressive efforts,
    culminating with his humiliation at the hands of Lennox Lewis,
    Tyson stepped into the ring in Memphis on Saturday (February 22)
    needing an impressive victory in order to re-establish his
    credentials as a contender.

    Tyson, who did not train for a week threatening to call
    off the fight claiming he had the flu, looked sharp and
    focused needing just 49 seconds to finish the "Black Rhino"
    with a ferocious right to remain unbeaten in non-title bouts.

    As Etienne (24-2-1) lay crumpled on the canvas, Tyson
    (50-4-2) raised his hands in victory then helped his opponent
    to his feet.

    It was a far different outcome for Tyson than his last
    appearance at the Pyramid Arena last June, when he suffered
    the worst beating of his professional career pummelled and
    humbled in eight rounds by Lewis in what was the richest bout
    in boxing history.

    Tyson earned a reported $5 US million dollars for his work
    but now appears on course for an even bigger payday with Lewis
    promising him a rematch.

    Wearing his familiar black trunks and a simple white towel
    draped over his shoulders, Tyson, his much talked about tattoo
    in full view, was greeted by a thunderous ovation from the
    near sell-out crowd.

    Showing glimpses of the brutal power and menacing mystique
    that made him the most feared fighter of his generation, the
    36-year-old former-undisputed champion charged across the ring
    with urgency at the opening bell clearly searching for the
    early knockout.

    After a flurry of action from both fighters, Tyson stung
    Etienne with a short, devastating right that sent him to
    floor.


  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register