Evander Holyfield vs Mike Tyson II

Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson faced off in their infamous rematch on June 28, 1997, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Promoted as "The Sound and The Fury," the fight devolved into chaos by the third round, leaving a permanent mark on boxing history. With both fighters weighing in at 218 lbs, Holyfield entered as the reigning WBA heavyweight champion, making the first defence of the title he had claimed by stopping Tyson in their first encounter seven months prior.

The atmosphere was electric as the fight began, with Holyfield immediately asserting control. In the opening round, a sharp right hand rocked Tyson, setting the tone for what seemed to be a repeat of their first meeting. Holyfield's strategic clinching and timing disrupted Tyson's rhythm, and by the second round, the frustration was evident. A head clash occurred as Tyson leaned into a punch, opening a cut over his right eye. Referee Mills Lane deemed it unintentional, but Tyson saw it differently, attributing malice to Holyfield's actions.

By the third round, Tyson's composure unravelled. After a promising start to the round, where he landed a few clean rights, he resorted to biting Holyfield's right ear during a clinch. Holyfield recoiled in pain, spinning away from Tyson as the crowd and officials tried to process what had just happened. Lane deducted two points from Tyson and warned him against further misconduct. The fight resumed, but Tyson repeated the act, biting Holyfield's left ear in a blatant disregard for the rules.

Lane disqualified Tyson at the end of the round, ending the fight in chaos. The judges' scorecards, which had all three favouring Holyfield 29-26 at the time, became irrelevant. Tyson's actions eclipsed any boxing narrative as the event became surreal.

Post-fight, Holyfield required stitches for his ear injuries, while Tyson defended his behaviour, claiming retaliation for what he saw as Holyfield's intentional headbutts. The Nevada State Athletic Commission fined Tyson $3 million and revoked his boxing license, which wasn't reinstated until 1998. Holyfield retained his title and reputation as a disciplined and resilient fighter, while Tyson's legacy was permanently marred.

Financially, the bout set records, generating over $100 million in pay-per-view revenue and a live gate of $17.3 million. However, it is remembered more for Tyson's meltdown than for the boxing. The bizarre nature of the event ensured its place in history as one of the sport's most controversial nights, overshadowing the achievements of both fighters.