20.02 - Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson takes on world-ranked contender Clifford Etienne in an important 10-round bout on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET/PT in Memphis, Tenn.

MIKE TYSON

"I have been planning this (tattoo) for two years. I spoke with the artist. He told me to wait a year so he could find the right design. It hurt less than all the ones I have had before. It is a New Zealand tattoo. It is personal and I am not finished with it. I am not even half-way done. I did not like the way my face was looking anyway.

"I brought my son along today because he wants to be a fighter. I thought I would get him accustomed to everything.

"There is no problem now. My health is fine. I feel well and am really looking forward to fighting. I am not bothered by the time off. One week off after eight weeks of training? You should not fight if you can't handle that. Training with Freddie (Roach) was fun work, but hard work. A lot less talk than I am used to. I am the kind of guy who needs to be pushed. And Freddie pushed me. I am 100 percent in better condition this time that when I fought (Lennox) Lewis. I am ready to fight.

"With all the cash I am getting, I try not to let things like hearing that Etienne was pulling out bother me. We have seen each other fight before. He moves. He is prepared to fight. If he is afraid, that could make him more dangerous, but I know he is here to fight hard and so am I. I am going to win by knockout.''

CLIFFORD ETIENNE

"My preparation has been excellent. Sure, this is my biggest fight but there is no pressure on me. It is all on him. I do not feel any different now than I do before any fight that is two days away. I am not concerned about anything that has to do with Tyson, his tattoos, or what has happened this past week. I do not care what has been written or said. My entire focus is on this fight, and doing my job.

"I have been fighting all my life, but I have never worked two months for a fight like I have for this. I have sacrificed a lot. I have spent time away from my family. But this is my profession. I do not have a 9-to-5 job. I get paid to fight. This is going to be a very good fight on SHOWTIME Saturday night.

"I respect Tyson, like I respect all my opponents. He deserves to get the attention. I am just a country boy. I do not think he is done as a fighter. But come fight time, it will have nothing to do with him. It will have everything to do with me and giving him a whipping.''