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Tyson and Holyfield make surprise appearance together

Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion Evander Holyfield Said He Was Shocked When Former Foe And Also Heavyweight Boxing Champion Mike Tyson Made A Surprise Appearance At A Promotional Event In Chicago On Saturday.

Reuters | Updated on: 20 Feb 2013, 12:05:41 PM

Chicago :

Former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield said he "was shocked" when former foe and also heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson made a surprise appearance at a promotional event in Chicago on Saturday.

Holyfield was at a Jewel-Osco supermarket promoting his "Real Deal" brand of barbecue sauce when Tyson strolled in, apparently unnoticed, shook off his hood, and greeted Holyfield with a hug.

The two seemed to enjoy the moment as they posed together with bottles of Holyfield's sauce for the gathered press and adoring fans.

The two have had a tumultuous history together, facing off twice in the ring including the notorious 'Holyfield-Tyson II' showdown in 1997 in which Tyson, in a clinch, bit a chunk off of Holyfield's ear. Tyson was disqualified for the act and had his boxing licence revoked.

Recently Tyson has returned to another arena, the theatrical stage. His one-man play, directed by Spike Lee, "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth" premiered in Las Vegas in April and had a run on Broadway. It is an autobiographical monologue performed by Tyson in which he reflects upon his tough childhood in Brooklyn, the absence of his father and his self-described "reckless and destructive" behaviour.

Tyson, who at the age of 20 became the youngest world heavyweight champion, served three years in prison before restarting his boxing career in 1995.

Holyfield, who turned 50 last year, had a stellar career, winning a bronze medal at the 1984 Summer Olympic games in Los Angeles and then going on to be the the undisputed champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. He has defeated boxers like George Foreman, Larry Holmes and is the only boxer to defeat Mike Tyson twice.

His last fight was a victory over Danish boxer Brian Nielsen in 2011. He announced his retirement in 2012 but has since hinted at a comeback.

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First Published : 20 Feb 2013, 12:03:00 PM

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