Iron Mike Tyson took just 49 seconds to knock out opponent Clifford Etienne in their non-title fight at the Pyramid Arena, Memphis on Saturday night. However, despite that easy victory, the American has admitted he doesn't feel ready for another crack at WBC and IBF Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis just yet.
The former undisputed world champion caught Etienne, known as the Black Rhino, with a right hand with less than a minute on the clock in the first round. Etienne's legs buckled under him and he never looked likely to beat the count, taking out his gumshield just moments after hitting the canvas.
The question on everyone's lips after that bout was Tyson's willingness for a rematch with Lewis, who beat him convincingly last time out in June 2002.
When asked if he felt ready to face Lewis once more, Tyson replied: "Well, I'll be more confident this time." But then he hesitated before he went on. "But to be honest, I don't believe I'm ready to fight him at this moment. I'm not going to lie to myself or to the public. I need more fights and I'm not interested in getting beaten up again," he explained.
"I don't want to fight Lewis right this moment but if I'm capable of getting two or three more fights, probably two, I'll fight him right away. I'll continue to get training and bring my life together. I'm just...I'm so messed up I just need to get my life together," he added.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
