ABC SPORTS: HOLYFIELD VS. TYSON II {FIRST BROADCAST OF JUNE 28, 1997 HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT} (TV)
Summary
This special sports presentation is the first national broadcast of the heavyweight championship boxing rematch between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson, which was fought on June 28, 1997. Hosted by Al Michaels and boxing analyst Alex Wallau, this program chronicles events leading up to the match, the fight itself including the ear-biting, and the aftermath. The program begins with a short biography about Mike Tyson, with comments from his former guardian, the late Cus D'Amato; former trainer Teddy Atlas; ex-wife Robin Givens; and beauty pageant queen Desiree Washington. Following a short biography about Evander Holyfield, Wallau describes the boxers' first fight, in which Holyfield won the heavyweight championship. The second fight is then presented, with commentators Steve Albert, Ferdie Pacheco, and Bobby Czyz, and referee Mills Lane. Highlights of the first two rounds include the following: in the first round, the boxers measure each other up with quick jabs and movements; Holyfield lands a few punches and the capacity crowd roars; in the opening of round two, Tyson receives a deep cut above his right eye from an inadvertent head-butt by Holyfield; later, Lane takes time out to talk with both fighters after pushing occurs. Before the third round, Michaels and Wallau comment on Tyson's reaction to his cut. Highlights of the third round include the following: Tyson rushes out of his corner, firing wild punches and charging up the crowd; later in the round, the two fighters lock up with each other and Holyfield breaks away, jumping up and down and pointing to his ear; Lane calls for time out but Tyson pushes Holyfield; a doctor examines Holyfield's ear, which has a piece missing; Lane deducts two points from Tyson's score and lets the fight continue; and after a series of aggressive punches, Tyson apparently bites Holyfield's ear again. After this round, Lane informs Tyson's corner that he has been disqualified, leading to pandemonium as Tyson lunges for Holyfield after an exchange of words from across the ring. Once the fight ends, the two boxers issue brief statements upon leaving their locker rooms. Next, Michaels and Wallau examine the infamous fight and its possible ramifications on boxing. Highlights include the following clips: Tyson's trainer Richie Giachetti on his failure to put in the boxer's mouth piece; Holyfield's trainer Don Turner on Lane's decision to let the fight continue after the first bite; Tyson's brief public comments a few days later; and professional boxer Mark Breland and Holyfield's trainer Tommy Brooks, who comment on Tyson's mental state after the head-butt, the plausibility of his statements after the fight, and whether the boxing commission's punishment was fair. Then, Holyfield joins Michaels and Wallau in the studio to discuss the following topics: whether he feels the bite was premeditated; the way he pulled himself together after the first bite; what he would say to Tyson face-to-face; and his thoughts on returning to the ring and defending his title. Includes commercials and promos. Commercials include Jeff Gordon for Slick 50 fuel system treatment and Cal Ripken, Jr., for Fram oil filters. This program is closed-captioned.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: August 14, 1997 Thursday 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:59:56
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:49866
- GENRE: Sports
- SUBJECT HEADING: Boxing; Scandals; Sports; African-American Collection - Sports
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1997
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "Conspiracy Theory" (feature film)
- TV - Commercials - "Event Horizon" (feature film)
- TV - Commercials - "G.I. Jane" (feature film)
- TV - Commercials - "Hoodlum" (feature film)
- TV - Commercials - "Kull: The Conqueror" (feature film)
- TV - Commercials - "Mimic" (feature film)
- TV - Commercials - "Money Talks" (feature film)
- TV - Commercials - Arm & Hammer Dental Care toothpaste
- TV - Commercials - Duracell batteries
- TV - Commercials - Fram oil filters
- TV - Commercials - Jack in the Box fast food
- TV - Commercials - Macy's department stores
- TV - Commercials - Mercury Sable automobile
- TV - Commercials - Neosporin first aid ointment
- TV - Commercials - Odor-Eaters foot powder
- TV - Commercials - Rolaids antacid
- TV - Commercials - Samuel Adams beer
- TV - Commercials - Slick 50 fuel system treatment
- TV - Commercials - Slim Fast diet shakes
- TV - Commercials - Visine eye drops
- TV - Commercials - Zantac 75 antacid
- TV - Promos - "20/20"
- TV - Promos - "C-16"
- TV - Promos - "Cracker"
- TV - Promos - "NFL Pre-Season Special: Jaguars vs. 49ers"
- TV - Promos - "Nothing Sacred"
- TV - Promos - "Oprah"
- TV - Promos - "Spin City"
- TV - Promos - "The Practice"
- TV - Promos - "Time Cop"
- TV - Promos - "Total Security"
- TV - Promos - "World News Tonight"
CREDITS
- Al Michaels … Host
- Alex Wallau … Host
- Steve Albert … Commentator
- Ferdie Pacheco … Commentator
- Bobby Czyz … Commentator
- Evander Holyfield … Guest
- Teddy Atlas
- Mark Breland
- Tommy Brooks
- Cus D'Amato
- Richie Giachetti
- Robin Givens
- Evander Holyfield
- Mills Lane
- Don Turner
- Mike Tyson
- Desiree Washington