Boxing: I'm tired of being stupid, says 'transformed' Tyson

A repentant Mike Tyson says he is bringing with him a new joy for life and an understanding of past mistakes as he prepares to re-enter the ring against Clifford Etienne in Memphis next year.

The 36-year-old former world heavyweight champion will fight Etienne on 22 February at the Pyramid Arena, the scene of his recent humiliation at the hands of Lennox Lewis.

However June's eighth-round knock-out to Lewis appears to have produced uncharacteristic modesty in Tyson. "I feel good. I'm just very happy. I'm tired of being stupid," he said at the press conference to announce his latest fight.

Smiling and laughing after playfully patting Etienne on the shoulder, Tyson said he has matured since the Lewis fight. "Things basically have come together as far as my personal life," he revealed.

"I felt purified after that fight. It's like he whipped my butt and baptised me at the same time. I just feel so much good about my transformation and just forming to be a decent human being."

Wearing a black suit with a sober brown and black striped tie, Tyson said his notorious past is behind him and he just wants to fight and earn a living. "We've all got to live. We've got to make a living. I don't have to be a cold-blooded, mean individual on the streets just to be a great fighter.

"I'd just like to enjoy myself for a couple more years, without getting hurt too bad," he added. "Over the last couple of years, I've done more talking than fighting. I haven't been as successful as I should have been."

Tyson only fought Lewis in Memphis because he was turned away from other venues, including Nevada. Yet he was happy to return because of the warm reception he received from the city, particular its inner-city neighbourhoods.

"That's where I come from. I went downtown to the hood and everybody's got a gold tooth in their mouth and look like me," he joked.

The Etienne fight will be the beginning of Tyson's attempt at a comeback and an eventual rematch with Lewis. Etienne was knocked down twice but managed a draw in his last fight against Francois Botha in July.

"Mike Tyson can still beat 99 percent of the heavyweights out there," said Etienne, who like Tyson has spent time in prison, in his case serving 10 years for armed robbery. "I just feel like I'm in that One percent that he can't beat and I'm going to show it."