Legend has it Mike Tyson is picking Evander Holyfield out of his teeth to this day.
One of the most iconic and grotesque scenes in sports history took place on June 28, 1997 — Mike Tyson biting off Evander Holyfield’s ear.
Monday marks the 24-year anniversary of The Sound and The Fury: Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II. The event was subsequently referred to as “the Bite Fight” or ‘the Bite of ‘97” after Tyson was disqualified for biting off part of Holyfield’s ear. “Iron” Mike subsequently lost his boxing license, although it was later reinstated.
24-years ago today… pic.twitter.com/9GkM0hKEfg
— Rex Chapman (@RexChapman) June 28, 2021
The fight was a rematch of their original clash on Nov. 9, 1996, a boxing match Holyfield won via round 11 TKO despite being a sizeable underdog to win the WBA Heavyweight title.
In the aftermath of the bite, Tyson went on a 5-3 stint with one no-contest before retiring off a loss to Kevin McBride on June 11, 2005. “Iron” Mike made an exhibition comeback last November, fighting to a split draw in an exhibition boxing bout vs. Roy Jones Jr.
Holyfield fought 20 more times following the Tyson fight, retiring following a TKO win over Brian Nielsen on May 7, 2011.
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