SPORTSCLOPEDIA 61: HOLYFIELD VS. TYSON II "THE BITE FIGHT" ON JUNE 28, 1997
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 28 Jun 2023
Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II, was originally billed as the Sound and the Fury and then later infamously known as The Bite Fight, was fought by Holyfield and Tyson on June 28, 1997 for the WBA world heavyweight championship. It attained infamy as one of the most insane fights in world boxing history after Tyson bit off a chunk of Holyfield's ear. Tyson was disqualified from the match and was stripped of his boxing license by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but it was later reinstated.
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At the opening bell Holyfield dominated Tyson, winning the first three rounds. Tyson had frequently been complaining about Holyfield's head-butting in the first bout of the two fighters. After reviewing the replays of their first bout, referee Mills Lane concluded that Holyfield's headbutts were unintentional.
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When the third round started, Tyson came out of his corner without his mouthpiece on. Lane ordered Tyson to go back to his corner to insert his mouthpiece. Tyson inserted it on his mouth, went forward and the match resumed. Tyson began the third round with a furious attack. With forty seconds remaining in the third round, both Holyfield and Tyson clinched, and Tyson placed his head above Holyfield's shoulder and bit Holyfield on his right ear. A one-inch piece of tissue was ripped from Holyfield’s ear, which Tyson spat out onto the ring apron.
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Holyfield jumped in pain, bleeding abundantly from the bite cut. Lane stopped the fight, but Tyson attacked Holyfield from his back and pushed him into his corner. Lane separated the two fighters and led Tyson to a neutral corner, then went to see the infuriated Holyfield. The fight was delayed for minutes as ringside physician Flip Homansky examined the champion.
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Homansky cleared Holyfield to continue the fight, as Lane penalized Tyson with a two-point deduction for biting. During another clinch, Tyson again this time it was Holyfield's left ear. Tyson's second bite just scarred Holyfield's ear. Lane did not stop the fight, and both fighters continued fighting until the end of the round. When the second bite was discovered, the match was stopped again.
* * *
Lane told Tyson's corner that he was disqualifying Tyson for biting Holyfield which angered Tyson. Security protected Holyfield in his corner, and Tyson was taken back to his corner. When Lane was interviewed he said that Tyson's bites were intentional. He warned Tyson not to bite anymore, and said Tyson preferred to be disqualified by disobeying the referee's order. Holyfield told the reporters after the fight that Tyson bit him because he sensed that he was going to get knocked out, and he chose to be disqualified rather than be knocked out.
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Twenty-five minutes after the scuffle ended, announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. read the decision: "Ladies and gentlemen, this bout has been stopped at the end of round number three. The referee in charge, Mills Lane, disqualifies Mike Tyson for biting Evander Holyfield in both ears, the winner by way of disqualification and still the WBA Champion of the world, Evander 'the Real Deal' Holyfield!" Holyfield remained the WBA heavyweight champion of the world.
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Tyson later remarked in the interview that his bites were in retribution for the headbutts from Holyfield. When interviewed about his championship fight and the biting incident with Tyson, Holyfield said he had already forgiven Tyson for biting him.
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As a result of biting Holyfield, Tyson's boxing license was revoked by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and he was fined $3 million plus legal fees. On appeal, the commission reinstated Tyson's license on October 18, 1998. After both legends retired from boxing, they became close friends.
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The match earned a total revenue of $180 million from live gate, pay-per-view, closed-circuit telecasts, foreign television rights, and casino profits. On October 16, 2009, on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Tyson apologized to Holyfield, saying "it's been a pleasure passing through life, being acquainted with you." Holyfield accepted Tyson's amends and forgave him.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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