27 years ago

Date: 28th June 1997

Venue: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada

Title: WBA World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: Don King Productions

Tv: Showtime

Evander Holyfield
( 33 - 3 - 0 )
Weight: 218 lbs

Mike Tyson
( 45 - 2 - 0 )
Weight: 218 lbs

Promoted as "The Sound and The Fury," Holyfield vs Tyson II will always be remembered for Tyson's actions in the 3rd round when he realised that Holyfield was on his way to repeating the stoppage victory he recorded against Tyson seven months earlier.

A crowd of 18,187 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena watched on in disbelief as Tyson bit the champions ears. First the right and then the left. The first infringement forced referee Mills Lane to deduct two points, but after a lengthy delay, Lane let the fight go on, only for Tyson to repeat the crime a second time.

Tyson did irreparable damage to his legacy on this night. Holyfield stood his ground against Tyson's onslaught and although it was Tyson who came off worse in the two head clashes that caused the damage to Tyson's eye, both were at fault. Tyson later said that the ear-biting was in direct retaliation to Holyfield's head butts.