Mike Tyson has revealed exactly what went through his mind in the moment he bit Evander Holyfield’s ear during their infamous 1997 rematch, and his description is about as candid as it gets.
Speaking to ABC’s Liz Neporent while reflecting on the incident, Tyson described the sensation as immediately repulsive, explaining that he spat the piece out the moment it happened.
“I really sucked on the ear and stuff,” Tyson said. “But if you watch the fight, as soon as I did it, I spit it right out, instantaneously. It was really disgusting.”
The incident unfolded in the third round of Tyson vs. Holyfield II in Las Vegas, when a frustrated Tyson bit a chunk out of Holyfield’s right ear during a clinch. Referee Mills Lane eventually disqualified Tyson after the moment sent shockwaves through the MGM Grand arena and across the boxing world. It remains one of the most controversial single moments in the history of combat sports.
Despite the infamy of the night, Tyson and Holyfield eventually repaired their relationship and found ways to laugh about what happened. The two worked together on a barbecue sauce commercial that played directly on their rivalry, leaning into the incident with humor neither man could have managed in the immediate aftermath.
Years later, Tyson took the joke even further when he launched his Mike Bites cannabis gummies, ear-shaped edibles that Holyfield publicly endorsed.