The Bonus: An oral history of the infamous 1997 Tyson-Holyfield bite fight

On June 28, 1997, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield fought in Las Vegas in one of the most anticipated rematches in durable boxing history. Holyfield was the defending planet champion after he had shocked Tyson seven months before in an 11th-round knockout. The two had wildly different personalities and categorically different battalion. Holyfield was a warrior and a strategist; Tyson was a fearful brawler. The events that followed wait some of the most inexplicable, out of the ordinary, and disturbing moments in a sport water supply-accustomed to pandemonium. For several weeks with Tyson bit off a piece of Holyfield’s ear and was ineligible (Tyson actually bit Holyfield double; he was only penalized after the initially bite), the world focused on the controversy. Now 15 being later, questions still wait. What drove Mike Tyson to tartness Evander Holyfield? And, perhaps extra importantly: How did “The Bite Fight” change boxing?

(Note: Holyfield declined copious requests to be interviewed for this report.)

First, it’s important to start including the first Tyson-Holyfield struggle.

November 9, 1996: Tyson-Holyfield I
In the four bouts in view of the fact that his release from prison in Development 1995, Mike Tyson knocked out all four opponents he faced in a collective time of 18:40. In the two years previous to he fought Tyson, Evander Holyfield at sea to Michael Moorer in his last title struggle, was knocked out by Riddick Bowe, and had most just struggled in his fifth-round sensation of the aging Bobby Czyz. Tyson had a career confirmation of 45-1; Holyfield had lost two of his continue four fights. Holyfield opened as a 25-1 runner up and closed at 15-2. Tyson and Holyfield met for the WBA title in Las Vegas.

Mike Tyson: Previous to I fought Evander, I had just knocked our Bruce Seldon for the WBC/WBA title with I had just gotten out of jail. I hadn’t been out of jail for extra than a year. But I was fortunate sufficient to win a couple of fights and a couple of belts as I came back.

Jimmy Lennon, seem announcer for both fights: The initially fight was called “Finally” since this was a fight that was in the building for so many years. This was irrevocably going to happen, but there were a lot of public that were concerned in this area Holyfield getting hurt. I dredge up sitting ringside right previous to the fight and there were approximately Showtime executives nearby. I overheard them discussion not just about the quality of the struggle, but they were really sincerely concerned about Holyfield’s shape.

Dino Duva, Holyfield’s ex- promoter: The general public and most of the boxing diligence and media thought it would be a slaughter for Tyson. There was a feeling with the intention of Evander had gotten worse. Here were some questions of whether he must even be fighting because here was the incident a couple years ago as he fought Michael Moorer and here were some supposed health check issues after the fight. Evander was rushed to the sickbay after that fight and rumor has it that doctors found some issues including his heart.

SI VAULT: Richard Hoffer’s take in story from the fight
PHOTO Arcade: Pictures from Tyson-Holyfield II

Don Ruler, promoter for both fights: It was a tough struggle to make because of the idiosyncrasies linking the two guys. Each had a different perspective on why the struggle should or should not be made. The additional was saying that they wouldn’t struggle. There were a lot of ghosts and apparitions with the intention of would cause for more negotiations.

Tyson: I knew I wasn’t in any sort of condition because I didn’t be inflicted with enough time to get prepared. I actually hadn’t been active for four being. I was greedy and I wanted the money so I took the struggle.

Kevin Iole, former boxing novelist at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, now including Yahoo!: It struck me how confident Holyfield was. He was a great underdog, but he didn’t believe whatever thing anybody said. You look in trade and it’s not surprising because that is how Holyfield has permanently been, but back then at the era it was shocking. Tyson was at his heyday at with the intention of point. There were public that feared for Evander’s protection, but Evander had placidity and confidence with the intention of was amazing. I was tempted to pick him, but I didn’t be inflicted with the courage to.

Marc Ratner, ex- executive director of the Nevada Disorder Athletic Commission: We took a opportunity by putting in a referee that the broadcast had not seen. It was not Mills Lane or Richard Steele. It was [the in the dead of night] Mitch Halpern. Mitch had made about 35 title fights, but the broadcast didn’t really know him. This is one of the largest fights in boxing history and we put a relation unknown in. He did a magnificent job.

Tommy Brooks, Holyfield’s ex- trainer: We had a guy named Gary Timer who was so much like Mike Tyson it was reproduction. We kept sending Gary at Evander since when the bell rings [Tyson is] aptly on top of you. So we had Gary going right at Evander. In this area the first couple of weeks, it wasn’t looking sweet. Holyfield couldn’t get in the swing of equipment. Eventually, he got it.

Teddy Atlas, teacher/ ESPN Friday Night Fights: I reflect that fight started and finished in the first round. Tyson did what he had made to fighters in the past and hit [Holyfield] in the dead of night. He did it to make things easier. Public that are weak want to get on to things as easy as possible. [Tyson] doesn’t be inflicted with the capacity to deal with equipment when they aren’t as straightforward as possible. He pushed the borders by striking him after the bell. Holyfield took the shot and hit him aptly back. He didn’t have to use the terms, he told [Tyson] in his behavior and in his carriage, that ain’t workin’ tonight, you’re in here with a real man tonight. You’re not vacant to get a free pass tonight. Low-cost shots aren’t enough; you surpass be enough, and if you don’t have that, you won’t be sufficient.

By Gabriel Baumgaertner, SI.com