Noise and Fury: How Mike Tyson Bites His Ear to Evander Holyfield

Famous champions Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield met twice in the ring in fights, one of which became the “fight of the year”, the other got the status of the most expensive event in boxing history at that time. There are many opinions regarding this confrontation based on rumors and interpretations of what was happening in the ring. And there, to the noise of the MGM Grand arena, a demonstration of the most effective and cruel tactics that were characteristic of the old boxing world, a world that we can only know from rare photographs, was conducted. These techniques are illegal, however, the judges prefer not to notice them, which can play into the hands of one of the boxers. The article aims to explain why Mike Tyson bit off his rival’s ear in the 1997 duel.

How to stop the racer: Evander Holyfield's answer

“There will always be someone in your life who can kick you in the ass,” are the words of the legendary manager and trainer Angelo Dundee, who worked with Muhammad Ali for most of his champion’s career. It is noteworthy that in Ali's life there was also such a person - Joe Fraser; In the career of the well-known modern public of the Philippine champion Manny Pacquiao, Mexican techie Juan Manuel Marquez stuck like a bone in the throat , who honed his right cross so much that he managed to knock the spirit out of Manny with a magnificent counter-blow. For Tyson, Evander Holyfield became such a bone: a disciplined and cold-blooded fighter who managed to withstand the onslaught of Iron Mike, while using the not-so-noblest method — deliberate head bangs. Thanks to this vile trick, Evander was able to cut both eyebrows to Tyson in the first battle. In the second match Holyfield again used the forbidden trick, for which Mike Tyson bit off the reigning champion’s ear, or rather pieces of both shells.

"Angry Dog" Iron May

Tyson’s fate was not always fair. The fiery character of the champion played into the hands of people who tried to convict him of various sins. Just recall the rape case that cost Mike three years in prison. Despite the lack of direct evidence, the judge issued a verdict in favor of the unfortunate girl who, several years later, was accused of fraud and false testimony with her mother in similar circumstances. Mike Tyson’s battles after his release didn’t look so convincing for him as in the past.

The imprisonment, the loss of a loved one in the face of Cas D'Amato, the eternal coach and adoptive father of the champion, the unsportsmanlike behavior of Holyfield in the first fight - all this caused Mike Tyson to bite off his opponent’s ear in the 1997 fight.

Tyson's degradation of technology after imprisonment

The tactics of the former champion at the time of the first fight with Evander in 1996 boiled down to a forceful onslaught, single powerful blows that were inflicted from medium and close range (Resher style). Since Mike was a low heavyweight (178 cm, at the same Holyfield - 189 cm), he had to move a lot on his feet in order to enter a position convenient for himself. At the same time, the knocker practically did not strike during such movements, which allowed Evander to instantly impose a clinch, butting his undersized rival and launching his attacks at the moments of such rapprochement and subsequent struggle.

Holyfield victory in the first match

Mike's physical training did not fit into the format of the 12-round match - Tyson was dangerous only in the first half of the fight. The constant clinching and other elements of dirty boxing did not add strength to the former champion, and the abundant cuts that arose during the clashes in both eyes of Tyson limited vision and became Holyfield's constant goal. Single power strikes, the only weapon in the Iron Mike's arsenal, were for the most part inaccurate and stuck in the opponent’s gloves. The reigning champion managed to neutralize the threat in the first rounds, and at the end of the fight to strengthen his advantage due to the best physical conditions. All this led to the fact that the first battle between the two famous heavyweights ended with Holyfield's victory by technical knockout in the 11th round.

Why did Mike Tyson bite off Evander’s ear in the second fight?

If we ignore the external cruelty and curiosity of this act, the chosen measure of counteracting Holyfield’s dirty slugger style seems quite justified. In the second battle, which was called “Noise and Fury,” Tyson during each attempt (and there were only two of them - due to the short duration of the fight) from the champion’s side to enter the clinch and to body the opponent deprived of the last piece of his ear. This went on until the start of the 4th round, which Holyfield simply refused to go to. He was awarded the victory due to the disqualification of Mike, and Zhelezny was able to leave the not-so-winning battle for himself with his arms raised high.