In need of a win, Tyson downs Etienne in 49 seconds for first-round knockout

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) _ There is still some badness left in Iron Mike after all. <br><br>In desperate need of a devastating win, Mike Tyson got just that Saturday night, flattening Clifford Etienne with

Sunday, February 23rd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) _ There is still some badness left in Iron Mike after all.

In desperate need of a devastating win, Mike Tyson got just that Saturday night, flattening Clifford Etienne with a savage right hand reminiscent of Tyson in his prime.

Etienne was knocked flat on his back in the middle of the ring and lay there as referee Bill Clancy counted him out only 49 seconds into the scheduled 10-round fight.

Tyson then leaned over and helped Etienne to his feet as the crowd at the Pyramid arena erupted in glee at the sudden ending to a fight that seemed like it would never happen.

Fighting in the same ring where Lennox Lewis gave him a beating last June, Tyson went right after Etienne, who cooperated by standing in front of him and throwing punches back.

It proved a mistake when Tyson threw a right hand that landed flush on Etienne's jaw and sent him sprawling to the canvas.

Tyson (50-4, 44 knockouts) was a 4-1 favorite over Etienne (24-2-1, 17 knockouts).

Tyson seemed to hurt his credibility when he pulled out of the fight on Monday. But perhaps realizing further huge paydays with champion Lennox Lewis or Evander Holyfield could disappear, he changed his mind on Tuesday.

He also claimed he received more money for opting to go through with the bout, although his manager, Shelly Finkel said that wasn't so. Still, Tyson got close to $5 million just eight months after he was battered by Lewis in the same ring.

Tyson entered the ring with a tattoo that may have beeen more of a drawing card on Showtime than the bout itself. The tattoo on the left side of the face is supposed to symbolize Tyson the warrior.