Saturday in Chicago’s South Side, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield were once again face to face. Only this time, no fists were thrown, no ears were dined upon. Instead, only smiles and hugs were exchanged between the two former boxing champions.
The heated rivalry between the two was a distant memory, replaced by a warmness and affection that was clear for all in attendance to see.
The meeting took place at Jewel-Osco, where Evander Holyfield was signing autographs and promoting his barbecue sauce. Mike Tyson, who was in town performing his one-man show, dropped by to pay a visit.
“I just wanted to see Evander, man,” Tyson said. “I love Evander. I’m forever linked with him for the rest of my life.”
Those words may come as a shock coming from a man who once held such disdain for Holyfield, culminating in the infamous ear biting incident. However, Tyson has softened in recent times, showing a different side of himself.
Part of the image overhaul for Mike Tyson has been his stage show, which documents his beginnings in Brooklyn, to his capturing the heavyweight championship, to his fall from grace. It holds nothing back, no matter how poorly of a picture it paints. His divorce, convictions, and relationships with people like Don King and Cus D’Amato are all covered.
The show is travelling across the United States and was in Chicago for two shows. He hit the store to visit Evander Holyfield before the show. He and Holyfield shared warm embraces and posed for photos with the thrilled crowd in attendance.
“The show is good,” said Holyfield, who saw it in Las Vegas. “The show is showing his way of coming back, being able to come to an agreement, come to an acknowledgment of what he’d done good and what he’d done wrong and to get over it. When people don’t get past their problems, they never come to an understanding.”
The show also includes parts dedicated to Holyfield. When asked to comment on those segments, Holyfied seemed satisfied.
“I think he was letting people know that he was wrong and what happened, happened,” he said. “He appreciates that I forgave him. He’s forgiven himself. That’s how you make adjustments in life.”
Evander Holyfield himself appears to have finally moved on from boxing. Unless a fight with either of the Klitschko brothers materializes, he claims his career is over. And just as his career may be in the past, so are any hard feelings he may have had towards Mike Tyson.
Tyson had nothing but words of praise when discussing Holyfield.
“We’re both at a stage in our lives where we can work together and make really a good thing happen,” Tyson said. “He’s a beautiful person. I’ve known Evander since I was 15.”
Words like these and the scene that took place Saturday would have been hard to imagine a few short years ago. But time can heal all wounds and these two all-time greats have made peace much to the enjoyment of all who witnessed the surprise reunion.
