Clifford Etienne
Clifford Etienne (born March 9, 1970) is an American former professional boxer who is currently serving a 105-year prison sentence without possibility of parole. Known for his aggressive, high-volume style despite being a heavyweight, he fought the likes of Mike Tyson, Francois Botha, Nikolay Valuev, Calvin Brock, and Lamon Brewster.
| Clifford Etienne | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Nickname(s) | The Black Rhino |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | March 9, 1970 Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 35 |
| Wins | 29 |
| Wins by KO | 20 |
| Losses | 4 |
| Draws | 2 |
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.[1] 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,[2] he became a professional boxer; he won 29 matches (20 knockouts), lost 4, and drew 2.
Rise to the top
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 of 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 re-building some of his lost stature with wins, he was catapulted to the world's stage in a 2003 fight against 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 reported Etienne's ring career likely over with the following story:
- Well known heavyweight Clifford Etienne was arrested Wednesday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on charges of armed robbery, kidnapping and the attempted murder of a police officer. Etienne allegedly robbed a local business, car-jacked a vehicle containing a woman and her children, then pulled a gun on police officers. He is being held in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison with a $70,000 bond.
On June 22, 2006, following his trial in Baton Rouge, Etienne was found guilty 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.[3] In April 2013 his sentence was reduced from 160 years to 105 years due to a technicality.[4] Etienne is now a painter, painting artwork from prison. He recently was given a job as a barber at the same prison and still maintains his painting duties. [5]
Professional boxing record
| 29 Wins (20 knockouts, 9 decisions), 4 Losses (4 knockouts, 0 decisions), 2 Draws | |||||||
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 29–4–2 |  |
KO | 3 (12) | 14/05/2005 |  |
For WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title. Etienne down twice in round 3rd. |
| Loss | 29–3–2 | .svg.png){kind=small} |
TKO | 3 (10) | 21/01/2005 |  |
Etienne was knocked down once in the 2nd, and twice in the 3rd round. |
| Win | 29–2–2 | |
TKO | 2 (10) | 27/11/2004 |  |
Etienne down in round 1. Craven was unable to continue due to a cut over his left eye. |
| Win | 28–2–2 | |
UD | 10 | 09/06/2004 |  |
|
| Win | 27–2–2 | .gif){kind=small} |
UD | 8 | 27/05/2004 | .svg.png){kind=small} |
|
| Draw | 26–2–2 |  |
PTS | 8 | 27/03/2004 | |
|
| Win | 26–2–1 | |
KO | 2 (8) | 21/02/2004 |  |
|
| Win | 25–2–1 | |
TKO | 4 (8) | 07/02/2004 |  |
|
| Loss | 24–2–1 | |
KO | 1 (10) | 22/02/2003 |  |
|
| Draw | 24–1–1 |  |
PTS | 10 | 27/07/2002 | |
Etienne down in the 5th and 6th rounds. |
| Win | 24–1 | |
UD | 10 | 27/04/2002 |  |
|
| Win | 23–1 | |
TKO | 7 (10) | 02/02/2002 |  |
|
| Win | 22–1 | |
TKO | 2 (12) | 08/12/2001 | .svg.png){kind=small} |
Won vacant IBA Americas Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 21–1 | |
KO | 1 (10) | 31/08/2001 | |
|
| Win | 20–1 | |
KO | 1 (10) | 22/06/2001 | |
|
| Loss | 19–1 | |
TKO | 8 (10) | 23/03/2001 | |
Etienne knocked down seven times, all by overhand rights: three times in the 1st round, once in the 2nd, once in the 3rd, once in the 7th and once in the 8th round. |
| Win | 19–0 | |
UD | 10 | 11/11/2000 | |
Etienne was hurt at the end of the 2nd round and in the 7th round. |
| Win | 18–0 | |
TKO | 3 (10) | 09/09/2000 |  |
Won vacant NABF Heavyweight title. Title had been vacated by Michael Grant. |
| Win | 17–0 | |
KO | 3 (12) | 30/06/2000 | |
Won vacant IBA Continental Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 16–0 | |
UD | 10 | 06/05/2000 |  |
Lamon Brewster tore his knee ligaments in the 1st. |
| Win | 15–0 | |
UD | 10 | 18/03/2000 | |
|
| Win | 14–0 | |
TKO | 2 (10) | 26/02/2000 | .png){kind=small} |
Etienne down in the 1st round. |
| Win | 13–0 | |
TKO | 1 (6) | 28/01/2000 | |
|
| Win | 12–0 | |
TKO | 1 (4) | 26/11/1999 | |
|
| Win | 11–0 | |
TKO | 1 (4) | 17/09/1999 | |
|
| Win | 10–0 | |
KO | 1 | 08/09/1999 | |
|
| Win | 9–0 | |
UD | 8 | 20/08/1999 | |
|
| Win | 8–0 | |
KO | 1 (8) | 11/06/1999 | |
|
| Win | 7–0 | |
KO | 1 | 30/04/1999 | |
|
| Win | 6–0 | |
UD | 6 | 15/04/1999 | |
|
| Win | 5–0 | |
TKO | 6 (6) | 27/02/1999 | |
|
| Win | 4–0 | |
TKO | 1 (6) | 06/02/1999 | |
|
| Win | 3–0 | |
UD | 6 | 19/01/1999 | |
|
| Win | 2–0 | |
TKO | 1 (4) | 11/12/1998 | |
|
| Win | 1–0 | |
KO | 1 (4) | 03/12/1998 | |
|
References
References
- https://www.si.com/vault/2001/02/19/297421/beware-the-black-rhino-heavyweight-clifford-etienne-found-his-calling-in-prison-now-he-stalks-a-title
- "Boxer Etienne gets 150-year sentence for crime spree", espn.com, Jun 23, 2006
- https://www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2006-06-23-etienne-sentenced_x.htm
- http://www.boxingscene.com/clifford-etiennes-sentence-drops-from-160-years-105--64220
- http://www.boxingscene.com/clifford-etienne-nearly-killed-prison-given-transfer--97942