Their 1997 rematch ended in disqualification for Tyson after he bit off a piece of Holyfield's ear and an attempt to repeat the same a second time a few minutes later during the same match.

He fought for a championship again at 35, losing by knockout to Lennox Lewis in 2002. Tyson retired from competitive boxing in 2005 after two consecutive knockout losses to Danny Williams and journeyman Kevin McBride.