“The Bite” Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield Fight in Las Vegas on June 28, 1997

On this Date: June 28, 1997, at the Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson fight, Mike Tyson bit off part of Evander Holyfield ear.  The Fight was billed at the ‘The Sound and the Fury” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the WBA Heavyweight Championship referee by Lane Mils. But, the fight will go down in history as the “Bite Fight”.

The fight began with Holyfield dominating Tyson. Holyfield won the first three rounds. As the third round was about to begin, Tyson came out of his corner without his mouthpiece.  With forty seconds remaining in the round Holyfield got Tyson in a clinch, and Tyson rolled his head above Holyfield’s shoulder and bit Holyfield on his right ear, a one-inch piece of cartilage from the top of the ear, and spitting out the piece of ear on the ring floor.

The fight was stopped for a few minutes as the referee debated the status of the fight. The fight was resumed. During another clinch, Tyson bit Holyfield’s left ear. Holyfield threw his hands around to get out of the clinch and jumped back. Tyson’s second bite just scarred Holyfield’s ear. Lane did not stop the fight this time, so the two men continued fighting until time expired. The men walked back to their respective corners when the second bite was discovered and the fight was then stopped.

A scuffle broke out in the ring between the Tyson corner , security surrounded Holyfield in his corner and Tyson took swings at the people in his way, but was taken back to his corner by security.

Twenty-five minutes after the brawl 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 won the WBA’s boxing championship, prize, money and trophy because of Tyson’s disqualification.

Tyson was sentenced with a permanent suspension from boxing and his license cancelled indefinitely. Tyson was also fined $3,000,000 and had to serve a period of community service. After a year and an appeal in court, Tyson’s license was reinstated.

On October 16, 2009 on The Oprah Winfrey Show Tyson apologized to Holyfield. Holyfield accepted his apology and forgave Tyson. When Tyson and Holyfield retired from boxing they befriended each other and are now close friends today.

Tags: Boxing, Evander Holyfield, history, MGM, Mike Tyson