On July 9, 1997, the boxing world was stunned by a move from the legendary Mike Tyson that would forever be remembered as the most shameful moment in the sport’s history. During the rematch for the heavyweight world championship, Tyson, in a fit of rage and helplessness, bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear! Yes, you read that right — an ear! Tyson, who had been threatening revenge for months, couldn’t stand being dominated by Holyfield in the ring and decided to break all the rules and boundaries of sportsmanship. After biting Holyfield, he spat on him and then cowardly pushed him from behind. The match was immediately stopped, and Tyson was disqualified. The punishment? A one-year ban from the sport and a $3 million fine.
Two decades later, Tyson admitted he wouldn’t repeat the act but added that he would bite if deserved. “I was angry, I wanted to kill him,” he said. This incident still sparks a storm of emotions and debates about the limits of aggression in sports.
If you think this is just another boxing story, think again. This is a tale of how anger and frustration can destroy a career and reputation, but also how legends are made — sometimes in the worst possible way. So, what do you think? Was Tyson right or did he cross every line? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s on which side!
