On June 28, 1997, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield met in a highly anticipated WBA heavyweight title rematch at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Holyfield had won their first fight in November 1996 by technical knockout, a result that set up the rematch as a test of Tyson’s aggressiveness and adjustments. The June bout became infamous when, in the third round, Tyson bit Holyfield’s right ear, removing a piece of flesh and prompting a lengthy and chaotic stoppage. The fight's opening rounds were competitive and physical. Referee Mills Lane warned both fighters for clinching and rough tactics, particularly aimed at Tyson. At 2:58 of the third round, after an exchange and a clinch, Tyson sank his teeth into Holyfield’s ear. Holyfield reacted immediately and reached for the bite; Lane separated the fighters and examined Holyfield’s ear. After consultation with ringside officials, including the New York State Athletic Commission physician, the fight resumed. Shortly after the restart, at 3:00 of the third round, Tyson bit Holyfield again, this time on the opposite ear. The second bite did not remove as much flesh but made the situation unmistakably egregious. Lane then disqualified Tyson, awarding Holyfield the victory by disqualification. In the aftermath, Tyson claimed a variety of explanations, including that he had been head-butted and had been driven to bite in frustration; Holyfield and many observers saw the act as deliberate and unsportsmanlike. The incident triggered swift disciplinary action. The New York State Athletic Commission revoked Tyson’s boxing license and fined him $3 million—one of the largest fines in boxing history—and he was suspended from boxing for a year (later reinstated). The event also prompted debate about referee control, fighter conduct, and the spectacle of boxing as viewed by the public and the media. Television audiences and live spectators witnessed a surreal scene that quickly became one of the sport’s most notorious moments. Beyond the immediate penalties, the brawl shaped both fighters’ legacies. Holyfield retained the WBA title and was widely defended by fans and commentators for his composure; Tyson’s image as a volatile, mercurial figure in and out of the ring was reinforced. The match has been analyzed in sports journalism, legal and regulatory discussions, and cultural commentary as an example of how extreme actions in high-stakes competition are handled by officials and governing bodies. No credible evidence supports more sensational claims that go beyond the recorded facts of the fight: the two bites in the third round, Holyfield’s partial ear injury, the disqualification, and the subsequent fine and suspension. The event remains one of boxing’s most replayed and debated incidents, often cited in discussions of sportsmanship, punishment, and how regulatory systems respond to violent conduct. For historical accuracy: the bout took place June 28, 1997, at Madison Square Garden; referee Mills Lane officiated; the New York State Athletic Commission imposed the fine and suspension; Holyfield was awarded the victory by disqualification. Contemporary news reports and official commission records are the primary sources for these facts.