On June 28, 1997, the world of boxing witnessed one of its most shocking and infamous moments when Mike Tyson bit Evander Holyfield’s ear not once, but twice during their WBA Heavyweight Championship bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. This dramatic and unprecedented event led to Tyson’s immediate disqualification and left an indelible mark on the sport’s history.

During the third round of the match, tensions were already high as both fighters aggressively vied for dominance. At the 4:05 mark, Tyson suddenly bit Holyfield’s ear, causing a portion of it to be torn off. The incident stunned the audience and the officials, but the fight continued after a brief pause. However, Tyson’s aggression didn’t stop there. Moments later, he bit Holyfield’s ear again, prompting referee Mills Lane to disqualify Tyson and award the victory to Holyfield.

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The chaotic aftermath saw both camps rushing into the ring, and the bout was marred by the controversy of Tyson’s actions. Holyfield, despite the pain and shock of losing part of his ear, maintained his composure and was declared the winner. The incident drew widespread condemnation and led to Tyson being fined and temporarily banned from boxing.