Tyson Calls Holyfield A “Beautiful Guy” On Oprah

Evander Holyfield Faces Foreclosure

Check out  more celeb photos below!

VIA ESPN/AP

CHICAGO — No punches were thrown. And neither bit off the other’s ear.

Mutual praise and admiration dominated during a face-to-face meeting Friday between former world champion boxers Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield on a live episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

On June 28, 1997, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Tyson was disqualified after biting off part of Holyfield’s right ear during their WBA heavyweight title fight.

A respectful Tyson shook hands with his former rival several times during their encounter Friday — which he said was his first chance to speak at length with Holyfield since the ear chomp that made worldwide headlines.

Tyson told Winfrey earlier that an initial apology after the incident was insincere. But when she asked what he wanted to say to Holyfield, Tyson stopped short of apologizing again. He instead poured on the praise.

“This is a beautiful guy,” he said, holding Holyfield’s arm affectionately for several seconds. “I just want you to know it’s just been a pleasure … being acquainted with you.”

Asked by Winfrey if he was still missing part of his ear, Holyfield pointed to it and said, “Just a little bit.”

Holyfield also had a confession of sorts to make: He himself has bitten others, during childhood roughhousing with his siblings as a way to get out of headlocks.

“You talk about biting,” he said. “I’m the person that bit every brother in my family.”

Holyfield said one reason he wanted to appear with Tyson on television was to demonstrate to youth caught up in violence that reconciliation is always possible.

“We can come together,” he said. “We know you can come together.”

Former boxer Evander Holyfield is facing foreclosure again. He’s behind on loan payments on two properties. The ajc reports:

Holyfield has grossed more than $248 million in the ring, but two divorces, several failed business ventures and child support
payments believed to total $500,000 annually have taken a toll on his financial well-being.

The father of 11 last boxed in December, losing to WBA champion Nikolai Valuev in Switzerland. His last significant payday came in 2003, when he received $5 million to fight James Toney.

Asked about his finances last June, Holyfield said, “I’m not broke. I’m just not liquid.”

Evander, maybe you should have kept your pants zipped up and stopped poking around while you were married.

Check out more celebrity foreclosures here:

Is Isaiah Washington being evicted?

DMX is facing foreclosure. Read more here.