Matt Ortega

Ten years ago, heavyweights Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield met in a rematch from their November 9, 1996 fight that ended in an upset with Holyfield as the victor. The rematch ended in one of the most bizarre occurrences in professional boxing history.

Tyson was disqualified for twice biting Holyfield’s ear after the end of the third round with a near riot nearly occurring in the ring. As a result of Tyson’s behavior, the Nevada State Athletic Commission revoked his boxing license and fined him over $3 million. The ban was short-lived as Tyson’s boxing license was restored in October 1998.

The night of the fight, my family drove out from Danville to Castro Valley to watch at my aunt and uncle’s house live on pay-per-view and remember the night quite vividly: the food, the dim house lighting, the shock everyone in the room expressed at Tyson’s actions. I remember my aunt pointing out the fact that after the first bite, Tyson licked his lips that were covered in beads of Holyfield’s blood.

A strange night to be a boxing fan.