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Mike Tyson’s Interview Immediately After Biting Evander Holyfield’s Ear Was Bizarre

Mike Tyson’s Interview Immediately After Biting Evander Holyfield’s Ear Was Bizarre

Tyson spoke immediately after the ear bite in 1997 and it makes for interesting viewing.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Mike Tyson's interview immediately after biting Evander Holyfield's ear was a bizarre insight into his mindset.

Tyson was disqualified for biting a chunk of Holyfield's ear off during their WBA Heavyweight Championship match in 1997.

Image
PA

'Iron Mike' was interviewed straight after the fight and his justification for biting Holyfield was bizarre.

He told Sky Sports Box Office,

"Regardless of what I did, he's been headbutting me for two fights."

When probed for an explanation to the bite, Tyson responded in feisty fashion.

"I addressed it in the ring.

"Look at me (gesturing towards the cut above his eye) I gotta go home to my kid who's gonna be scared of me look at me man."

Tyson and promoter Don King then proceeded to leave the interview without providing a clear answer.

He also referenced the headbutt earlier in the interview and claimed Holyfield wasn't 'the warrior everyone says he is.'

"Holyfield is not the tough warrior everyone says he is, he got a little nick on his ear and he quit.

"I got one eye and he not impaired, he's got ears, if he takes one I've got another one I'm ready to fight."

Referee Mills Lane is the one who stopped the contest but 'Iron Mike' still said his opponent didn't want to fight.

Tyson was fined $3 million by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and he didn't fight for another year and a half.

The years since the incident have mellowed the duo and Holyfield eventually forgave Tyson.

The pair discussed the incident on Tyson's podcast a few months ago.

The 57-year-old explained why he ultimately came to forgive Tyson despite losing a part of his ear.

Per TMZ, he said:

"People keep asking, 'How are you gonna forgive somebody?'" Holyfield says. "I say, everything that ever happened, at some point in time, I did it."

"Mike bit me, I say I bit somebody too ... it just wasn't on TV.

"I bit a guy in his shoulder. He dropped me, and I didn't know when you had a concussion, you'll bite too."

Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports Box Office

Topics: Mike Tyson, Boxing