Tyson Tonight?

Tyson Tonight?

graphic courtesy of Showtime - America's #1 Boxing network

The "on" again, "off" again, "on" again fight between "Iron" Mike Tyson (49-4-2, 43 KO's) and Clifford

Etienne (24-1-1, 17 KO's) seems to be "on" again for tonight. The fight will be televised from Memphis,

Tennessee by Showtime at 10 pm eastern/pacific.

Much media attention has surrounded the bout due to Tyson's ramblings of possibly not wanting to fight, his

manager saying Tyson will probably not fight and Etienne going on record stating that he wouldn't fight

because of what Tyson was doing only to change his mind and say he's going to fight.

Following me?

No, that's okay - I'm lost too.But with a million dollar pay day for Etienne and millions for Tyson, you know

both are showing up. The question is - which Tyson will show up? "Iron" Mike or "Aluminum" Mike.

It's been 18 years since Tyson turned Pro. Does he really have anything left to give? Will the new tattoo on

the side of his face reinvigorate his career? The answer, at least in my opinion, to the latter two is NO. Tyson

left his career in the ring the day he left his former trainer Kevin Rooney.

I say "Aluminum" Mike shows up.

I expect a Tyson that will go head hunting. Maybe he'll put some pressure on Etienne in a couple of rounds

but otherwise, the same song and dance routine we've seen a hundred times over from fighters who have lost

the fighting spirit. The way Cus D'mato and Rooney trained Tyson at the beginning of his career was

awesome - A well rounded boxer with skill, movement, and power. But when D'mato passed away and Tyson

separated from Rooney, Tyson entire boxing game changed. He became a head hunter. Relying totally on

his power. In the world of boxing, that spells disaster. When Tyson was confronted with somebody who

wasn't intimidated by him and who had boxing skills to avoid his power, "Iron" Mike just didn't know what to

do. That's why Buster Douglas beat him. That's why Evander Holyfield beat him. That's why Lennox

Lewis beat him. If he can't knock you out, he doesn't want to fight. He just seems to curl up inside of

himself. And with the chaos in Tyson's life, there is no way I can see him regain his old form in the ring on

Saturday night. Etienne just has to survive any early barrage that Tyson might offer. If he does that, he

should win the fight easily.

It's no secret how to beat Tyson now - just BOX him.

He has forgotten all that was taught to him early on in his career. I think Etienne will simply box Tyson from

the outside until he feels Tyson is tiring. Then maybe Etienne will try for a knock out. But remember, there's

always the lucky punch. I say Etienne gets careless and gets knocked out in the seventh round.

Didn't see that one coming did ya?

It'll be an ugly victory but hey, if Michael Waltrip doesn't care about winning the Daytona 272.5...ah 500, why

should Tyson care how he wins?

That's my two cents,

(2/22/03)