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Ali Gets Holyfield and Tyson Together to Start the Healing

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From Associated Press

Heavyweights Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson, whose last fight ended with a bite instead of a punch, will meet face-to-face next Saturday at the behest of Muhammad Ali.

Organizers announced Friday that Holyfield and Tyson will meet the day after the conclusion of the Ali Cup amateur tournament.

Holyfield retained the World Boxing Assn. heavyweight title when Tyson was disqualified for twice biting Holyfield on the ear.

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“Muhammad has established this meeting to set a tone for a healing process that will benefit boxing at all levels,” said Skip Morse, project director for the Ali Cup and Ali Tribute.

“Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson standing together in unity is a tremendous show of support for amateur boxing and respect for the ideals of . . . Muhammad Ali.”

The Holyfield and Tyson camps issued statements saying the fighters looked forward to the meeting and that the tribute to amateur boxing linked to Ali was the appropriate setting.

“It is very important to Mike that he meets with Evander and puts a regrettable occurrence behind them,” the Tyson camp said.

Holyfield’s camp said, “The meeting with Mike Tyson is a great way to do something that cleanses a great sport of something that all of us in the sport regret. Evander likes Mike and appreciates how difficult it is for him. We appreciate what Muhammad Ali did to make it possible.”

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