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Ten Years After The Bite By Rene Bonsubre, Jr. PhilBoxing.com Tue, 26 Jun 2007  June 28, 1997. This day was marked on every boxing fan’s calendar. It was the date for one of the most anticipated rematches in boxing history. Seven months earlier, Evander Holyfield scored one of sports’ more memorable upsets, a once in a lifetime performance, with his eleventh round TKO win over Mike Tyson. The most coveted sporting prize on the planet, the world heavyweight was in his hands for the third time. Tyson wanted it back. Iron Mike’s cloak of invincibility, which was mostly a product of media hype and commercial sales pitch, was once again exposed as an illusion. But, there were still a substantial amount of fans who clung to the idea that his punch could turn things around. Holyfield on the other hand was his usual Bible preaching, God fearing self. The fight was billed as “The Sound and The Fury”. It was held again at the Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena. The fight drew a lucrative $100-million plus, with the rematch drawing more attention than the first bout. The pay per view profits was a record only broken this year by Mayweather-dela Hoya. Tyson received $30 million and Holyfield $35 million. Just like any Tyson fight, it was an event attended by celebrities and high rollers. Tyson wore his trademark black trunks and black shoes while Holyfield once again had his robe and trunks emblazoned with his favorite Bible verse Phil 4:13. The chosen referee was Mills Lane who barked his trademark, “Lets get in on!” as a signal to start the action. It was obvious from the opening stanza that this would be a repeat of their first encounter. Tyson missed badly and Holyfield countered beautifully. Nobody expected what would happen next. In the third round, Tyson somehow self-destructed in the face of imminent defeat. He spit out his mouthpiece and had more morbid intentions in mind. He bit Holyfield on one of his ears, and he had two points deducted. The thousands who attended the bout and the worldwide audience were just as stunned as The Real Deal. Tyson then bit Holyfield again, in the process removing the top of his earlobe. It was quite a grotesque sight. Tyson was disqualified and a ring riot ensued. Tyson claimed he retaliated to Holyfield's unchecked head butts, which had cut him in both fights. Well, the Bible belter was not really the cleanest of warriors. He did have a tendency to lead with his head. But then again, that is why we call the proceedings inside the ring a fight. The event would go down in infamy as “The Bite Fight”. There were talks that Tyson would be banned for life. He was fined 3 million dollars and had his license revoked. Boxing writers once again reexamined his place in history and were almost unanimous that he did not deserve a place among the all time greats. That may have been the greatest punishment of all. We may never know what really went inside Tyson’s psyche that day. He could have fought on. The great ones have the ability to fight through blood be it in defiant losses, like Manny Pacquiao’s “Bloodied but Unbowed” stance against Erik Morales in their first fight or in spectacular victories reminiscent of Marvin Hagler’s crimson streaked face when he knocked out Thomas Hearns in one of boxing history’s brutal short fights. Despite all the negative comments emanating from that bite, boxing survived the lowest of low blows. On October 18, 1998, the Nevada State Athletic Commission voted 4-1 to restore Tyson's boxing license. But his career continued its downward spiral. Referee Mills Lane became a celebrity after that bout. He made rounds in the various U.S. talk shows and had his own TV series as Judge Mills Lane from 1998 to 2001. He suffered a stroke in 2002 and has been reported to be partially paralyzed. Holyfield on the other hand is now considered among the top three or four best heavyweights ever. But he still is not satisfied. Holyfield is scheduled to fight Lou Savarese in Texas on June 30. He is now 44 years old and he has said that he desired to become the oldest heavyweight champion ever. He would have to win the heavyweight championship at the age of 46 to beat George Foreman’s record. Many have advised against it, citing long term neurological consequences of overextending a career. But due to the rather shoddy state of the heavyweight division, his name remains valuable. Esteemed author Joyce Carol Oates once wrote,” Boxing has become America’s tragic theater.” Tyson’s life outside the ring has also been a series of unfortunate events. Nothing captures human interest like a tragedy- especially those that are self-inflicted. Mike Tyson was indicted on charges of drug possession and driving under the influence of drugs last January 2007. The charges stem from Tyson's Dec. 29 arrest in Arizona when a police officer found cocaine in his back pocket and another in a package of cigarettes in his car. Last February he checked himself into an inpatient rehab program while awaiting trial on the drug charges. He is reported to stand trial this August. Tyson once said, "Outside of boxing, everything is so boring." So, it would be fair to say that the world has not heard the last from Iron Mike. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..  |
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