Mike Tyson admitted that when he bit Evander Holyfield’s ear during their 1997 fight, it was because he “wanted to kill him” for headbutting him.
Holyfield was on top in the early rounds of the event before Tyson bit one ear, earning him a two-point penalty. He then bit the other ear and was disqualified in one of the sport's biggest controversies.
Speaking to Fox News, Tyson claimed he acted out in frustration because Holyfield had been headbutting him.
Tyson said: “I bit him because I wanted to kill him. I was really mad about my head being bumped and everything. I really lost consciousness of the whole fight. It took me out of my fight plan and everything.”
The former world heavyweight champion even suggested he might do something similar again: “I say, 'No, never ever again.' But I might do it again. Well, if he does what he was doing to get bitten, I would bite him again.”
Tyson last fought in 2005, but is set to return to action on November 28 when he faces Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition.
Meanwhile, Holyfield — who retired in 2014 — has hinted that he might be open to a rematch, saying: “That's always something that we can do if the people want it, if it's pragmatic enough, I'd love to do it."