Mike Tyson famously bit Evander Holyfield’s ear during their heavyweight title rematch in 1997, in Las Vegas.

Quick Scoop

  • The person Mike Tyson bit was fellow heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, during their June 28, 1997 fight often called “The Bite Fight.”
  • Tyson bit Holyfield’s right ear first, tearing off a small piece of cartilage, and then bit his other ear later in the same round.
  • The referee disqualified Tyson, and the Nevada commission later fined him $3 million and temporarily revoked his boxing license.

What Exactly Happened?

In the third round of their rematch, the fighters were in a close clinch when Tyson moved his head over Holyfield’s shoulder and bit his right ear, causing Holyfield to jump away in pain. After a brief pause and a points deduction, the fight was allowed to continue, but Tyson bit Holyfield’s ear again in another clinch, which led to an immediate disqualification. The shocking nature of the bite turned the bout into one of the most infamous moments in boxing history.

Aftermath and Legacy

Following the incident, Tyson faced heavy sanctions: a multi‑million‑dollar fine and the loss of his boxing license for over a year. Holyfield retained his WBA heavyweight title and later said he forgave Tyson, helping both men eventually rebuild their public images. Today, the question “who did Mike Tyson bite” has a clear answer in sports culture: it was Evander Holyfield, and that moment still defines a big part of Tyson’s legacy.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.