Twenty four years on from the infamous ‘Bite Fight’ between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, it seems the two titans have laid their differences apart, and in 2013 their friendship was immortalised in a hilarious Foot Locker advert.The advert imagines a time where ‘all is right with the world.’ A world that includes sports stars such as controversial Chicago Bulls forward Dennis Rodman taking a one-way flight to North Korea and NBA reporter Craig Sager burning his infamous colourful wardrobe.Yet, perhaps the biggest surprise was Mike Tyson returning part of Evander Holyfield's ear, to which he claims he ‘kept it in formaldehyde.’The reunion of the boxing legends is a reference to their fight in June of 1997.After originally beating a favoured Tyson, who was defending the WBA title in 1996, a rematch was set for June 28, 1997.
Tyson vs Holyfield - Bite Fight
The fight went down in the history books, for all the wrong reasons, as in the third round, Tyson bit one of Holyfield’s ears.
The fight was called to a stop, but Holyfield was allowed to continue, only for Tyson to bite the other ear. This time, he tore a piece off that landed on the canvas floor.
Tyson was immediately disqualified but attempted to justify his actions, claiming that in the two fights, he had repeatedly been head-butted by Holyfield. As a result, Holyfield retained his WBA title.
Tyson & Holyfield's Legacies
Despite all the controversy, both boxers went on to have illustrious careers and are highly regarded to be among the best of all time.
Holyfield’s career lasted 26 years with a record of 44-10 (29 KOs) and Tyson’s career spanned 20 years with a record of 50-6 (44 KOs.)
Tyson even teased his return in early 2020 and held the ‘Lockdown Knockdown’ exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr that resulted in a draw between the two, both now who are in their 50s.
More recently, Holyfield also returned to exhibition boxing in September of 2021, where the 59-year-old was stopped by the Brazilian Vitor Belfort.
It seems that the Foot Locker advert was perhaps the final piece of closure in the controversial ‘Bite Fight’ as both Holyfield and Tyson have been seen watching boxing matches together.
But with both having recently returned to the sport, fans can tease themselves with the idea of an exhibition match and a final fight between two boxers that defined their era.