On Friday night, boxing legend Mike Tyson stepped into the ring at 58 years old to compete against the much younger Jake Paul. The fight went predictably with Paul besting Tyson on the scorecards after Tyson appeared slow and out of shape.
But what happened during the fight is what everyone is talking about. During several moments of the fight, it appeared as though Tyson was biting his gloves. Boxing commentary thought it was due to a faulty mouthguard but Tyson revealed the real reason he was biting his gloves during the post-fight interview.
“Was it a mouthpiece issue, or were you just biting on your glove?” Ariel Helwani asked Tyson in the ring.
“I have a habit of biting my glove,” he said. “I have a biting fixation.”
Mike Tyson biting fixation confirmed (again) #PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/ApvbewBXE9
— Netflix (@netflix) November 16, 2024
This is or course a call to the infamous 1997 fight between Tyson and Evander Holyfield. During that fight, Tyson bit Holyfield’s ear mid-fight. Tyson was disqualified for the move, had his boxing license revoked and was fined more than $3 million. He has never lived that moment down and it’s become an iconic moment in sports history.
In fact, Paul made a reference to it by wearing a gold ear cover during their pre-fight obligations.
After Paul and Tyson’s controversial match-up, Paul admitted to “going easy” on Tyson in the later rounds and allowing him to coast to a decision.
Tyson took to Twitter to explain his address his fans after the fight.
“This is one of those situations when you lost but still won,” he tweeted. “I’m grateful for last night. No regrets to get in ring one last time. I almost died in June. Had 8 blood transfusions. Lost half my blood and 25lbs in hospital and had to fight to get healthy to fight so I won. To have my children see me stand toe to toe and finish 8 rounds with a talented fighter half my age in front of a packed Dallas Cowboy stadium is an experience that no man has the right to ask for. Thank you.”
