13.02 - Etienne (24-1-1, 17 KOs) discussed his upcoming fight against Mike Tyson on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, Feb. 22, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The Louisiana native will take on former undisputed heavyweight champion Tyson (49-4, 2 NC, 43 KOs) in an important 10-round bout from the Pyramid Arena in Memphis, Tenn. The Tyson-Etienne match will be co-promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and Bill Kozerski's Fight Night, Inc.

Question: How is training going?

Etienne: I am looking very forward to this fight. Things are going just fine. Things are perfect.

Question: Have you done anything differently in preparation for this fight?

Etienne: I am treating this like every other fight. Every fight is a big fight for me. I am just working hard. I am in great shape, and I am very ready for the fight.

Question: How do you think fans and critics view this fight?

Etienne: Fans might be looking at it as a make-or-break fight. It is a make-or-break fight for Tyson, and for me. If I lose this fight, I could be out of contention.

Question: Do you feel like you are still under a cloud from the Fres Oquendo fight?

Etienne: I do not feel like I am under any cloud. Everybody has their own things they have to get past. I have been there. After that fight (Oquendo), I was past it after my next fight. The only people that bring it up are the media. Anybody can have an off night. If Michael Jordan has a bad night, he can still win. If a boxer has a bad fight, he is usually not going to win.

Question: What has Buddy McGirt brought to your preparation?

Etienne: McGirt has brought an extra pair of eyes to my preparation. He has a way of seeing things that other people do not. McGirt is one of those extraordinary people who was a good boxer and became a good trainer. Not too many people can do that.

Question: Are you going to mix it up against Tyson, or stay on the outside?

Etienne: You all know how I fight. I love to fight. I love to rumble. That is my thing. It is going to be a very interesting fight. I am going to shock a lot of people.

Question: What would you say to Tyson if you could talk to him right now?

Etienne: I would say, 'What up, Dog? What am I supposed to say to him? I do not have anything to say to anybody. It is fight time. Just ring the bell.

Question: Can you talk about your sparring partners?

Etienne: They (my sparring partners) are just like Tyson. They are putting a lot of pressure on me, and getting me used to pressure. It is all about work. No matter what you do during sparring, it will all come out of fight night.

Question: Are you looking to add a new wrinkle before fight night?

Etienne: Hopefully, I can find it (new wrinkle) before the fight starts. I like to make people fight and rumble. Not many people come forward against Tyson. Not too many people are comfortable with that.

Question: Did you watch Tyson's fight against Lennox Lewis?

Etienne: I watched the Tyson-Lewis fight. You have to understand that I am not Lewis. He had a big reach advantage. That is not my thing. I am going to do it the way I need to in order to win.

Question: Do you think Tyson is finished?

Etienne: Lewis is a big man. I am a small, big man that can fight. I think Lewis was so busy before that fight. Tyson could not fight like in past fights because he did not fight much before facing Lewis. Inactivity kills a fighter.

Question: Can you talk about overcoming adversity in your life and getting out of prison?

Etienne: That was the biggest fight of my life. You go through things as a kid. Sometimes people learn, sometimes they do not. I was just running with the wrong crowd. I cannot change it now. I have to keep moving on.

Question: Did boxing save you?

Etienne: Boxing gave me something to focus on even before I came home (from prison). It gave me something to put my mind and body into because I knew I was going to fight when I came home. God blessed me with the ability to do everything. There are bad things you can get into. When I came home, my brain focused on doing exactly what I wanted to do. When you are home, there are a lot of other obstacles to overcome. You just have to stay focused.

Question: Are you intimidated by Tyson?

Etienne: The only thing I fear is God. I do not fear anybody.

Question: Are you paying attention to what Tyson is doing in camp?

Etienne: I do not pay attention to anything that goes on anywhere else. I am just working out and trying to get in better shape for the 22nd.

Question: If Tyson is looking ahead to a rematch with Lewis, how big of a mistake is he making?

Etienne: It is a great big mistake to look ahead. I pose the biggest challenge of Tyson's career. Overlooking somebody puts you at your weakest point.

Question: Where you able to box in prison?

Etienne: That is where I started boxing. I boxed on and off for eight years in prison.
Question: If you were not a fighter, what would you be doing?

Etienne: If I did not box, I probably would have played football, but would be retired by now.

Question: Where did the nickname 'Black Rhino' come from?

Etienne: A guy I was incarcerated with, Terry Dominic, came up with the nickname on how I fight. I told him all I know how to do was keep on coming. He said I was like a rhino. I told him there are black rhinos. He did not believe me, so we went to the library and looked it up.

Question: How much does Tyson have left?

Etienne: Tyson has a lot left.
Question: Have you noticed a style change in Tyson's game?

Etienne: I have not really noticed a style change. He does not throw combinations like he used to and his head does not move as much.

Question: After prison, when did you realize you could make a career out of boxing?

Etienne: I knew I could make a career out of boxing before I came out of prison.

Question: Do you feel like you will have the home field advantage fighting in Memphis?

Etienne: I know the crowd is going to be behind me. It does not really matter if they are. Home field advantage means if the fight is close, it should help you. I thought I had the home field advantage against Botha in New Orleans, and I ended up coming out of that with a draw.

Question: Do you think Tyson has been good or bad for boxing?

Etienne: Tyson is good for boxing because he created a lot of excitement. He is bad for boxing because of some of the things he has done. Every sport has its bad and good.

Question: After the Botha fight, what do you feel you need to do to sharpen up for this fight?

Etienne: I guess I need to sharpen up my defense. If I am fighting one person, I am going to fight differently when I fight someone else. I may have made a mistake against Botha that may not be a mistake against Tyson. It depends on styles. Styles make fights.