Boxing fans are getting the chance to own a piece of sports history.
As pointed out by TMZ, Lelands Auction House is selling Evander Holyfield’s gloves from the Sound and the Fury—the infamous boxing match in which Mike Tyson bit off a portion of Holyfield’s ear. The red Everlast gloves have white screen-printed logos on the front as well as brand patches sewn on the cuffs, which also feature “Holyfield #1” written in black marker.
The gloves are being sold by Lelands Auction House, a New Jersey-based business that specializes in sports memorabilia.
“Light but definite use shown, not surprising as the bout lasted just those three rounds,” the listing reads. “A remarkable piece of pugilistic history. Solid provenance; property from the life and career of Evander Holyfield, these were previously sold at an auction where Holyfield consigned his personal pieces.”
Sound and the Fury, later dubbed “The Bite Fight,” went down at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 28, 1997, just seven months after Holyfield defeated Tyson via TKO. The rematch would mark one of the most infamous and bizarre moments in sports, as Tyson bit off a chunk of his opponent’s ear during the third round. Iron Mike was ultimately disqualified and Tyson and was slapped with a nearly $3 million fine. The boxing legend’s ring license was also suspended due to the biting incident; however, it was reinstated 15 months later.
Tyson and Holyfield publicly reconciled in 2009, when they both appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
“The most important thing is to forgive, and I forgive him,” Holyfield said during the live broadcast.
Holyfield’s gloves are had a starting bid of $10,000. As of Saturday afternoon, the item had received a bid of $12,155. You can learn more about the auction, which ends in two weeks, at Lelands’ website.
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