Consternation in the camp over Iron Tyson’s tattoo

MIKE TYSON is famous for marking other people’s faces, but for once it was his own that was turning heads.

Not known for rational behaviour, Iron Mike’s bizarre facial tattoo has confounded even his most loyal fans.

Tyson’s arrival in Memphis yesterday ahead of his off-on bout with Clifford Etienne was unexpected

following his decision on Monday to pull out of the proposed warm-up for a summer rematch with Lennox Lewis, saying he was suffering from flu and a stomach illness.

However, the man once dubbed the meanest on the planet, made an amazing U-turn on Tuesday night, although the latest addition to the

former world heavyweight champion’s body art meant photographers at least were more concerned with tattoos than titles.

For once Tyson left the fighting talk to his trainer Freddie Roach, who said: “Mike told me this morning: ‘I’m a fighter and fighters fight’. He felt better and he ran this morning.” It has been reported that Tyson

only agreed to fight after last-minute pay talks with US cable network Showtime.

The former world heavyweight champion has been trying to rebuild his career and bank balance after a double divorce, a stint in jail for rape and a suicide bid.

However, Roach dismissed claims that his charge was being forced into action against his will.

Promoter Brian Young has also played down fears the fight could still be in jeopardy as a result of Etienne’s discontent at being treated like a “yo-yo”.

However, with Etienne set to bank the biggest payday of his career and Tyson in need of cash to pay-off his latest ex-wife, Saturday’s fight looks ready to rumble.