via blogs.seattleweekly.com

View full size photo »

On June 28, 1997, one of the most infamous fights in boxing history took place in Las Vegas. On that night, Mike Tyson rematched Evander Holyfield, with the fight ending inside of three rounds via disqualification when Tyson twice bit Holyfield's ear.

This Friday, they'll get together for the first time in over 12 years, as Oprah Winfrey will host the two of them on stage and on television.

"The U.S. chat show queen has persuaded the once bitter rivals to talk about the 1997 incident that shocked the sporting world. Tyson, the former world heavyweight champion, was disqualified after biting off Holyfield's right ear during the third round of their title fight in Las Vegas.

The shocking incident all but ended Tyson's career. He was fined $3m and his boxing licence revoked for a year, although he made an ill-fated comeback in 1998 before later retiring from the ring.

A spokesman for the Oprah Winfrey show said: 'More than ten years after their controversial bout, Tyson will reunite with Evander Holyfield on the Oprah show stage.'"

Tyson was a guest on Oprah earlier this week, which was all emotional and what have you. Tyson said he apologized in the past, but wasn't sincere. Now, he says, he'd like to talk to Evander about it and make it sincere. He'll get his chance.

I honestly think there's an outside shot something happens with this. Tyson seems to be at peace with himself for the most part, but also admits that the "other" Mike Tyson is always there. Holyfield, frankly, is desperate for attention. He's a 46-year old man who hasn't won against a decent opponent since 2002 still hanging on to his delusional idea that he's going to be world heavyweight champion again, despite all evidence to the contrary. He makes dates in foreign countries, goes to negotiate his deal, and then those fights never happen.

I don't mean to slander Evander's character at all, but a guy in his position with so little to lose professionally (his options are all but dead) might smell an opportunity here. 99% of me thinks Evander Holyfield is too good of a human being for that, but there is that 1% that thinks he's punch drunk and a bit of a nut, too, and that anything can happen.

Also, quick quibble: The line in the quoted text above says that the Holyfield rematch "all but ended Tyson's career," which is nice revisionist history and makes for a more compelling story, but the truth is five years later Tyson and Lennox Lewis set the then-all time PPV record with 1.99 million buys in America for a fight that everyone knew was a slaughter waiting to happen. Tyson fought ten times after the Holyfield debacle, with most of the bouts being treated as freak shows, which was really unfortunate and, I think, quite regrettable for just about everyone involved. His career ended after he was waxed by Danny Williams Kevin McBride in 2004 and 2005, and until that happened, he was still money in the bank.