Mike Tyson 'returns Evander Holyfield's ear' 16 years after infamous bite fight in Foot Locker commercial

 

By Sara Malm
It is considered one of the most famous sports scandals of all time, but is seems Mike Tyson has finally made full amends with Evander Holyfield – at least on screen.
The imaginary scenario is played out in a Footlocker commercial which sees Mike hand back Holyfield’s missing piece, explaining he ‘kept that in formaldehyde’.
Mike Tyson was disqualified after the 1997 incident when he bit off the top of his opponent’s ear during their heavyweight boxing champion fight.

Making amends: The Footlocker commercial sees Mike Tyson return Evander Holyfield's ear with a remorseful look on his face

The commercial sees basketball player Kyrie Irving imagining that ‘all is right with the world’, going into a daydream featuring the legendary boxers.
The dream shows Mike Tyson turning up at Evander Holyfield’s door, presenting him with a small box.

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‘I’m sorry, Evander,’ Tyson says. ‘It’s your ear.
‘I kept that in formaldehyde.’

Surprise visit: Evander looks lost for words when he sees Tyson turning up at his door

Keepsake: Mike Tyson apologies and explains that he has kept Evander Holyfield's ear in formaldehyde all these years

Back where it belongs: Evander reaches out to take the 'ear' which has been missing since the 1997 match

Since reuniting on the Oprah Winfrey show in 2009, 12 years after the ear-biting fight, the pair have rekindled their 90s friendship.
Last year they famously exchanged quips about the incident on Twitter as Holyfield began promoting his Real Deal BBQ Sauce.
Holyfield posted: ‘My realdealbbqsauce.com will make you take a bite out of someone's ear! Ask Mike Tyson – Luv ya bro!’

Reunited: Evander seems moved by Mike's gesture

Friends again: The former foes embrace, putting all their differences behind them at last

In support of his buddy, Tyson responded: Holyfield's ear would've been much better with his new BBQ sauce.’
When the two heavyweights met earlier this year at a promotional event for Holyfield’s barbeque sauce Tyson said‘I just wanted to see Evander, man. I love Evander. I'm forever linked with him for the rest of my life.’
The Footlocker commercial also features staff and travellers in an airport cheering as Dennis Rodman books a one-way ticket to North Korea.

Famous fight: Mike Tyson bites off the top of Evander Holyfield's ear during their 1997 fight