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Whose ear did Mike Tyson bite during a boxing match? It was Evander Holyfield in 1997 in Vegas

Vaseline November 16, 2024

As Mike Tyson prepares to step back into the ring tonight against Jake Paul, the boxing world is looking back on one of Tyson’s most infamous moments. On June 28, 1997, Tyson was disqualified in the third round of his WBA Heavyweight Championship fight against Evander Holyfield after biting Holyfield’s ear at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The incident remains one of boxing’s most dramatic chapters. Referee Lane Mills stopped the fight when Holyfield held his injured ear in shock, and Holyfield secured the win by disqualification.

Tyson’s legacy has taken many twists and turns, and tonight’s highly anticipated fight against YouTube star and boxer Jake Paul will add a new chapter to his legendary career.

Referee Lane Mills (C) stops the fight in the third round as Evander Holyfield (R) holds his ear as Mike Tyson (L) looks on during their WBA Heavyweight Championship fight on June 28, 1997 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Holyfield won by disqualification in the third round after Tyson bit his ear. AFP PHOTO/JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit should be JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)

Las Vegas, UNITED STATES: (FILES): This June 28, 1997 file photo shows Evander Holyfield standing in the ring after Mike Tyson bit his ear during the third round of their WBA Heavyweight Championship Fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas , NV. Ten years after his infamous "Bite fight" After victory over Mike, Holyfield still dreams of regaining boxing's heavyweight throne and considers most of the reigning champions "to beat". The 44-year-old American veteran will battle 41-year-old American Lou Savarese in a 10-round affair on June 30, 2007 in El Paso, Texas, in search of his fourth straight victory since making a comeback after was banned by New York. officials after a loss. AFP PHOTO/FILES/JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit should be JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) — Las Vegas, UNITED STATES: (FILES): This June 28, 1997 file photo shows Evander Holyfield standing in the ring after Mike Tyson bit his ear during the third round of their WBA Heavyweight Championship Fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas , NV. Ten years after his infamous ‘Bite Fight’ victory over Mike, Holyfield still dreams of reclaiming boxing’s heavyweight throne and considers most of the reigning champions to be ‘beatable’. The 44-year-old American veteran will battle 41-year-old American Lou Savarese in a 10-round affair on June 30, 2007 in El Paso, Texas, in search of his fourth straight victory since making a comeback after was banned by New York. officials after a loss. AFP PHOTO/FILES/JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit should be JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)

(FILES): This June 28, 1997 file photo shows referee Lane Mills (L) intervening as Evander Holyfield (R) reacts after Mike Tyson (C) bit his ear in the third round of their WBA Heavyweight Championship Fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Ten years after his infamous "Bite fight" After victory over Mike, Holyfield still dreams of regaining boxing's heavyweight throne and considers most of the reigning champions "to beat". The 44-year-old American veteran will battle 41-year-old American Lou Savarese in a 10-round affair on June 30, 2007 in El Paso, Texas, in search of his fourth straight victory since making a comeback after was banned by New York. officials after a loss. AFP PHOTO/FILES/JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit should be JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) — (FILES): This June 28, 1997 file photo shows referee Lane Mills (L) intervening as Evander Holyfield (R) reacts after Mike Tyson (C) bit his ear in the third round of their WBA Heavyweight Championship Fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Ten years after his infamous ‘Bite Fight’ victory over Mike, Holyfield still dreams of reclaiming boxing’s heavyweight throne and considers most of the reigning champions to be ‘beatable’. The 44-year-old American veteran will battle 41-year-old American Lou Savarese in a 10-round affair on June 30, 2007 in El Paso, Texas, in search of his fourth straight victory since making a comeback after was banned by New York. officials after a loss. AFP PHOTO/FILES/JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit should be JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)

More: Who won Mike Tyson or Jake Paul 2024? Vote to see who is expected to win tonight

What time does the main event start tonight?

No time has been given. There are three matches before the main event, which starts at 6:00 PM MT/7:00 PM CT/8:00 PM ET. So it’s possible that Tyson and Paul could enter the ring at 9:00 PM MT/10:00 PM CT/11:00 PM ET.