June 28, 1997, remains etched in sports history as the night boxing went completely off the rails. Evander Holyfield walked into the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas to defend his WBA heavyweight title against Mike Tyson. Nobody expected a standard boxing match, but nobody could have predicted an ending that left the entire world in absolute disbelief.
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This rematch took place just seven months after Holyfield pulled off a massive upset, stopping Tyson in the 11th round to grab the belt. Tyson came into the second meeting desperate for revenge and eager to reclaim his throne. Instead, the night descended into pure madness.
Holyfield established control early in the fight, using a sharp jab and quick combinations. He even staggered Tyson with a heavy overhand right toward the end of the first round, proving the champion was fully prepared to duplicate his previous victory.
The real trouble started in round two. An accidental headbutt from Holyfield opened a nasty gash above Tyson’s right eye. Tyson exploded with anger, complaining bitterly to referee Mills Lane that he was being intentionally fouled, repeating the same grievances he had after their first bout. Lane ruled the clash accidental, but Tyson’s frustration was already boiling over.
Total Meltdown In Round Three
Everything shattered in the third round. With less than a minute on the clock, the fighters tied up in a clinch. Tyson suddenly leaned over Holyfield’s shoulder and bit a chunk out of the champion’s right ear. Holyfield leaped away in agony, hopping in pain as blood streamed down his neck.
Lane paused the action, huddled with ringside officials and doctor Flip Homansky, and decided to deduct two points from Tyson instead of calling an immediate halt.
The leniency did not last long. Seconds after the fight resumed, they clinched again, and Tyson clamped down on Holyfield’s left ear. Though Lane did not see this second bite immediately, the truth came to light once the round ended. Lane had seen enough and officially disqualified Tyson, handing Holyfield the victory.
Post-Fight Riot and Lasting Legacy
The disqualification triggered an absolute riot. Tyson lost all control, charging toward Holyfield’s corner while cornermen, security, and police flooded the ring to prevent a full scale brawl.
Tyson later claimed he bit Holyfield in retaliation for unpunished headbutts. Holyfield countered that Tyson looked for an easy way out because he knew he was losing again.
The financial numbers were historic, pulling in around $180 million across pay-per-view and ticket sales, but the athletic penalties were severe. The Nevada Athletic Commission slapped Tyson with a $3 million fine and revoked his boxing license, though he won reinstatement a year later.
Decades have passed, the bad blood has dried up, and the two legends are actually close friends today. Still, every time the anniversary rolls around, the sports world looks back at the unbelievable spectacle simply known as The Bite Fight.
Last Updated on 2026/06/28 at 2:34 AM
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