Clifford Etienne

Clifford Etienne
Born	(1970-03-09) March 9, 1970 Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S.
Other names	The Black Rhino
Statistics
Weight(s)	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Reach	74 in (188 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	35
Wins	29
Wins by KO	20
Losses	4
Draws	2

Clifford Etienne (born March 9, 1970) is an American former professional boxer and convicted robber, who is currently serving a 105-year prison sentence without the possibility of parole. Known for his aggressive, high-volume style despite being a heavyweight, he fought Mike Tyson, Francois Botha, Nikolay Valuev, Calvin Brock, and Lamon Brewster.

Background

Born and raised in Louisiana, Etienne was a self-proclaimed "nerd" growing up. He attended St. Martinville High School where he was a standout linebacker, recruited by top colleges such as LSU, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma. This potential college football career was derailed by a 40-year prison sentence for armed robbery, which was committed at a shopping mall during his senior year. While incarcerated, Etienne, who then weighed 290 pounds, took up boxing and won the state prison boxing championship. While in prison he was a member of the "Gunslingers" prison boxing team in Louisiana and reportedly had a 30–0 prison record. He was released on good behavior after serving 10 years. While incarcerated, Etienne enrolled in classes at Southern University, and received high marks for his degree.

Professional career

Upon being paroled from prison in 1998, after serving 10 years for attempted armed robbery, he became a professional boxer; he won 29 matches (20 knockouts), lost 4, and drew 2.

Rise to the top

Further information: Mike Tyson vs. Clifford Etienne

Etienne was named 2000's "Most Exciting Fighter to Watch" in the heavyweight division by The Ring Magazine, largely the result of his unanimous decision over then-undefeated Lawrence Clay Bey. The fight was widely considered to be one of the best heavyweight matches of that year. He also defeated Lamon Brewster, the future WBO heavyweight champion, via a fairly-dominant unanimous decision after ten rounds in May 2000.

Etienne landed a contract with Showtime and his stock began to rise, but it quickly fell after an upset loss to Fres Oquendo, who stopped Etienne in the eighth round of their fight in March 2001.

After rebuilding some of his lost stature with wins, he was catapulted to the world's stage in a 2003 bout against "Iron" Mike Tyson, where Etienne suffered a first-round knock-out only 49 seconds after being caught with a short right hand from Tyson.

Decline

After the loss to Tyson, Etienne's future seemed to be that of a journeyman opponent. Calvin Brock stopped Etienne in the third round in January 2005.

Etienne's last fight was against Nicolay Valuev. "The Beast from the East", who would go on to become the WBA champion, stopped Etienne in the third round of their fight in Bayreuth, Germany in May 2005.

Criminal activity and imprisonment

On August 11, 2005, Fightnews.com predicted the end of Etienne's ring career when it reported that he had been arrested in Baton Rouge on very serious criminal charges.

The following June 22, he was found guilty at trial and sentenced to 160 years in prison without parole for an allegedly cocaine-fueled crime spree that included robbing a check cashing business, carjacking, and attempting to shoot a police officer. In April 2013, his sentence was reduced from 160 years to 105 years due to a "technicality". Etienne is now a painter, painting artwork from prison. He also works as a barber at the same prison.

Further reading

• Mike Tyson KOs Clifford Etienne
• The Mike Tyson Chronicles: Clifford Etienne
• Etienne arrested
• Heavyweight boxer Etienne arrested
• Clifford Etienne “The Black Rhino” Sentenced to 150 Years in Prison

External links

• Boxing record for Clifford Etienne from BoxRec (registration required)