In the infamous 1997 heavyweight boxing rematch for the WBA title, whose ear did Mike Tyson bite during the bout?

Introduction / Context:
One of the most controversial moments in professional boxing history occurred during a heavyweight title fight in 1997, when Mike Tyson bit his opponent's ear. This shocking incident led to disqualification and remains infamous worldwide. The question asks you to recall the name of the opponent whose ear was bitten during that rematch for the WBA Heavyweight Championship.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The incident took place in 1997 during a heavyweight boxing rematch.
• The title at stake was the WBA Heavyweight Championship.
• The fighter who bit the ear was Mike Tyson.
• The options for the opponent are James Douglas, Evander Holyfield, Riddick Bowe, and Michael Moorer.

Concept / Approach:
The event in question is the second fight between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, often referred to as “The Bite Fight.” In this bout, Tyson bit Holyfield's ear not once but twice, causing severe damage and resulting in Tyson's disqualification. James “Buster” Douglas is known for defeating Tyson in 1990, but no such biting incident occurred in that match. Riddick Bowe and Michael Moorer are other prominent boxers from that era but were not involved in this particular ear-biting controversy.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the widely reported boxing incident commonly called “The Bite Fight.” Step 2: Remember that this occurred in the rematch between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield in June 1997. Step 3: Note that Tyson bit Holyfield's ear during the fight, leading to a dramatic stoppage and disqualification. Step 4: Compare the opponents listed in the options with this well-known story. Step 5: Identify Evander Holyfield as the fighter whose ear was bitten. Step 6: Select Evander Holyfield as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Sports documentaries, boxing records, and news archives all describe the 1997 Tyson–Holyfield rematch in detail, highlighting the ear-biting incident. Footage of the fight and official records from the Nevada State Athletic Commission confirm that Tyson bit Holyfield's ear and was disqualified. No comparable incident is recorded for fights against James Douglas, Riddick Bowe, or Michael Moorer, so there is no ambiguity about which opponent was involved.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
James Douglas is famous for his upset victory over Tyson in 1990 but not for an ear-biting incident. Riddick Bowe fought other heavyweights in memorable bouts but did not face this specific controversy with Tyson. Michael Moorer was a heavyweight champion in the same era but again was not involved in the 1997 bite incident. Therefore, none of these names correctly match the description given in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
The main pitfall is mixing up different heavyweight fighters from the 1990s and confusing their individual histories with Tyson. Some candidates may remember the Douglas upset or Bowe's rivalry with other fighters and mistakenly choose those names. To avoid confusion, it is important to associate “The Bite Fight” specifically with the Tyson–Holyfield rematch and recall that Evander Holyfield was the victim of the biting incident.

Final Answer:
The boxer whose ear Mike Tyson bit during the infamous 1997 WBA heavyweight rematch was Evander Holyfield.