Tag Archives: bite fight

Remember when Tyson bit off Holyfield’s ear?

On this day back in 1997, Mike Tyson bit a chunk off of Evander Holyfield’s ear during a boxing match. I remember watching this match on pay-per-view at a friends house. We were stoked for this match-up. Everyone was. The incident led to Tyson being disqualified. He was a punk for doing what he did, but I’d never say that to his face. The entire fight is on YouTube now if you want to watch it. Watching these two stare at each other before the match (about 4:30) is terrifying.

Mike Tyson, left, bites into the ear of Evander Holyfield on June 28, 1997.

Mike Tyson, left, bites into the ear of Evander Holyfield on June 28, 1997. Jack Smith / AP

I didn’t know this until today, but the two boxers had a face-to-face meeting in 2009 on a live episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” They hugged it out.

Talk-show host Oprah Winfrey poses with former world champion boxers Mike Tyson, right, and Evander Holyfield in 2009. George Burns / AP

Talk-show host Oprah Winfrey poses with former world champion boxers Mike Tyson, right, and Evander Holyfield in 2009. George Burns / AP

So, how much would would someone have to pay you to step into the ring and fight Mike Tyson in his prime? This was a popular question raised among friends back in the day and my answer stands. I would do it for $2 million dollars and go down on a jab.