Tyson-Etienne bout in jeopardy

Dean Juipe

Monday, Feb. 17, 2003 | 10:14 a.m.

Mike Tyson failed to board his scheduled flight from Las Vegas to Memphis on Sunday, adding to the speculation that his Saturday fight with Cliff Etienne is in jeopardy.

Complaining of a vague illness and continuing the hermit-like existence he has led for the past week, Tyson stayed out of the public eye over the weekend as his handlers groped for remedies.

Lead trainer Freddie Roach reiterated his displeasure with Tyson and assistant trainer Jeff Fenech left Las Vegas for his home in Australia. Roach has said that he does not think Tyson is fit to fight this week in Tennessee.

In seclusion after obtaining a tattoo that allegedly covers the left side of his face, Tyson is undercutting the plans that his manager, Shelly Finkel, has laid out for him. Tyson needs only to defeat Etienne to likely advance to a June 21 rematch with World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in Las Vegas.

"I'm not as optimistic as I was," Finkel said of trying to get Tyson to follow his itinerary. "This fight may not be happening."

Withdrawing from scheduled fights is nothing new for Tyson, and if the bout with Etienne does not go forward it will be the 12th time in his career he has caused a postponement.

Glib and seemingly carefree only two weeks ago, Tyson began skipping 5 a.m. running and 2 p.m. training sessions with Roach last week. "I don't have a clue," Roach said, when asked of Tyson's whereabouts.

But Tyson did, reportedly, consult with a physician last Friday and secondhand accounts indicate he was bothered by either the flu or bronchitis.

Finkel visited Las Vegas from New York to check on his client's status Saturday and Sunday but came away uncertain as to how this episode would play out.