LAS VEGAS -- Mike Tyson will likely make his return to the ring in December, with a fight against Clifford Etienne.

Tyson's manager, Shelly Finkel, said Wednesday he hoped to have a deal worked out next week for a Dec. 7 fight that would be Tyson's first since being stopped by Lennox Lewis in June.

Finkel said the site for the fight has not been finalized.

One possible roadblock to the fight, which would be televised on the Showtime cable network, is that HBO also is looking at Dec. 7 for a possible fight between WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz and undisputed light heavyweight champion Roy Jones.

It's not likely the two competing networks would put showcase fighters on at the same time.

A Ruiz-Jones fight must first clear a number of hurdles, however, not the least of which is whether Jones is actually willing to move up to the heavyweight ranks.

Tyson has exercised his option for a rematch with Lewis, which according to the contract for the first fight, must take place after Lewis has one fight.

Lewis gave up the IBF portion of his heavyweight title last week rather than fight Chris Byrd, and has yet to commit to any fight.

Etienne fought to a draw with Francois Botha in his last fight and is 24-1-1.