MIKE KEPT IT REAL By Jeff Mayweather

The on again off again affair that took place on Saturday, February 22 at The Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee, ended quickly and fiercely as Mike Tyson showed just a small glimpse of his heyday.

 Mike ducked under several wild, inadvertent punches thrown by Etienne and threw a hook that missed, coming back with a crushing right-hand that found its mark on the Rhino's totally exposed chin. That one single punch, thrown within 49 seconds after the opening bell sounded, ended the fight.

It was total a destruction for Mike Tyson. I don't think very many boxing people gave the "Black Rhino" Clifford Etienne a real chance at winning the fight, much less lasting beyond five rounds. Who can forget how he was dropped seven times by Fres Oquendo -who by any standards is not a puncher- then later went on to be dropped three times by Francois Botha, somehow salvaging a draw.

What was a lot more interesting than the fight was the realness of Mike Tyson. Who can forget the once young, invincible, devastating puncher with lightning quick hands and a ferociously intimidating stare down that would have the viewers at home scared to imagine what was about to happen to the man coming out of the other corner? Back then, Mike's mystique was fully intact. The guy that the world thought would defeat Mike Tyson wasn't born yet or even thought of.

Iron Mike has reinvented himself so many times since those days, that I think he has even confused himself as to what message he is trying to get across to the boxing world. He went from a quiet, calm, but devastating fighter to a wild, outraged, confused man with deeply rooted issues. Mike has gone from a great fighter to a great event to watch, playing can you top this every time out. Would he unravel for the entire world? Would Tyson appear to be a monster or even animalistic in his quest to emerge victorious? Or would he be humble and gracious and make everyone watching feel as though he needs serious help and we all feel sorry for him?

Saturday night Mike seemed as real as any of us who has ever confessed sins to a minister or a priest, who sitting on the other side of the confessional booth listens to the purging of the soul. Tyson was an open book as he expressed his commitment to the network, to his own financial needs and also those of his fallen foe. He admitted that his life is "f**ked up" and that he's not going to lie to himself or the public about being able to beat Lennox Lewis in an immediate rematch even though he may need the money.

I must admit I was a little touched by what he said in regard to Clifford Etienne, that he (Mike) took the fight even though he was a bit sick and even had a back injury because he felt it his duty not to deprive Etienne of his payday, because we all can use the money, and that is what a real friend would do. Even if he has to beat up a friend in order to help attain a better life for himself and his family.

Tyson referred back to the story of Henry Armstrong and Ray Robinson, when Armstrong asked Ray to fight him because he was his friend and because he needed the money. I remember a while back when two highly publicized friends were both Champions and fought one another in a high pitched brutal battle: Maurice Blocker and Simon Brown. Watching them fight each other in the ring you thought these guys hated one another as they tried with their all to knock each other out. Simon Brown prevailed and Maurice Blocker had probably gotten the biggest payday of his career. After the fight they embraced. I thought it was a great story then and I applaud Tyson for his honesty and his integrity as a friend.