Tyson secures stunning win

Tyson secures stunning win

Etienne was dumped on the canvas

Photos from the fight

Mike Tyson enjoyed a stunning return to the ring by knocking out Clifford Etienne after just 49 seconds in Memphis on Saturday.

Tyson flattened Etienne with a savage right hand to end their non-title contest in the first round at the Pyramid Arena.

Etienne was knocked flat on his back in the middle of the ring and he lay there as referee Bill Clancy counted him out just 49 seconds into the scheduled 10-round fight.

The stunning victory paves the way for a rematch with champion Lennox Lewis.

"I'm just happy to be back in business," said Tyson, after registering the sixth fastest knockout of his career.

"I hit him with the left to set him up, then kept my hands up looking for an opening and I got it.

"I wasn't ready for this fight but I had obligations. He needed the money and I needed the money. He's a good man."

I'm going back to the gym next week and try to get my life together

Mike Tyson

It was a far cry from Tyson's last appearance at the Pyramid Arena last June, when he was humbled in eight rounds by Lennox Lewis.

Tyson, who did not train for a week threatening to call off the fight claiming he had the flu, looked sharp and focused.

Both fighters attacked from the bell and ended up in a heap on the canvas.

The pair had only been back on their feet for seconds when Tyson threw a right hand that landed flush on Etienne's jaw and sent him sprawling to the canvas.

Following a string of less than impressive efforts, culminating with his humiliation at the hands of Lewis, Tyson stepped into the ring needing an impressive victory.

But despite the emphatic win, Tyson said he wanted one or two more fights before taking on Lewis.

"I'm more confident now then I was last year," Tyson said.

"But I'm not interested in getting beat up again, I need two or three more fights.

"I'm going back to the gym next week and try to get my life together."