Tyson camp cancels fight with Etienne

P More strange behavior prompts cancellation of Memphis bout.

By Tim Dahlberg ~ The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS -- Mike Tyson's fight with Clifford Etienne was called off Monday, following a week of erratic behavior that once again raised questions about the boxing future of the 36-year-old former heavyweight champion.

After waiting days for Tyson to give them some sort of signal on his willingness to fight, Tyson's handlers finally pulled the plug on the scheduled Saturday fight after the fighter missed a flight to Memphis for the second day in a row.

The official word was that Tyson was too sick to fight. But even before he became ill Friday, Tyson had left his trainer waiting for him at the gym for three straight days and had gotten a large tattoo on the left side of his face.

Tyson's manager, Shelly Finkel, still held out hope earlier Monday that Tyson would get on a plane to Memphis, but after Tyson missed the plane again he and the Showtime cable network had little choice but to cancel the fight.

There were no immediate plans to reschedule the bout.

The cancellation came even as local promoters in Memphis were waiting for Etienne to arrive Monday night and hopeful that Tyson would soon follow.