After months (and ultimately years) of training, Clifford “The Black Rhino” Etienne is finally getting a chance to dent some iron on Saturday night…”Iron” Mike Tyson, that is.
Last weekend, the boxing community had been stung with the news that Tyson had flu-like symptoms and did not want to go on with the bout. He then changed his mind Tuesday and sent word that the fight was on.
Then Southern University’s own Etienne sent his own blow by not wanting to fight, but then changed his mind and announced that he was going to fight.
“These dudes need to make up their mind,” said Baton Rouge native Sheldon Miles. “I had tickets to go and see one of our own fight, and now I have cancelled and rescheduled two times because of their inability to make a blasted decision.”
So for now, the fight is on and Etienne will have his chance to make Louisiana and the Jaguar Nation proud on Saturday at The Pyramid in Memphis.
The 31-year-old was born in Lafayette and raised in nearby New Iberia. After being recruited by colleges such as Louisiana State University, Oklahoma and Texas for his football abilities, Etienne was bound to be the stellar athlete.
However, at 17, Etienne was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to 40 years at Dixon Correctional Facility in Jackson. After spending ten years in jail, Etienne enrolled in an educational program sponsored by Southern and after his early release, his left prison with his newfound talent-boxing and admission into SU.
“I did a lot of growing up during that time,” said Etienne said. “I knew I had to make the best of my situation, and that I still had a lot to look forward to. When I knew I was going to come home, boxing was my plan.”
While at Southern, Etienne continued his boxing and maintained scholastic excellence by appearing on the Dean’s List multiple times. At the age of 28, he turned pro and began his journey to become a member of boxing history.
Along that journey, Etienne married the former Tiffany Brown and had one daughter, Jacole.
Ring Magazine’s “2000 Most Fun to Watch” boxer currently has 24 wins (17 KO’s) with seven losses and one draw.
Between Tyson’s erratic behavior and Etienne’s exciting footwork, this will surely be a fight that should not be missed. That is, if there is still a fight…
