SOURCE: AP

Mike Tyson and Atlanta’s Evander Holyfield used the platform of “Oprah” to chew the fat (metaphorically, not literally) over the infamous incident in 1997 when Tyson bit off part of Holyfield’s right ear durng a fight.

Whatever animus from that time period has faded away.

“I have forgiven,” Holyfield told Tyson and Winfrey in a live show that aired at 4 p.m. today on WSB-TV. “I have moved on and realized it was part of life and things happen. Things happen all the time in my life. My life wouldn’t be what it is if it hadn’t happened.”

“I’m extremely grateful,” Tyson responded. “I’m just so happy to extend my friendship to him. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for him.”

Tyson was on “Oprah” on Monday and had told the audience the offiical “apology” he made many years ago was not sincere at all. But he feels true remorse now. Holyfield called the show and offered the olive branch.

Tyson noted that he has seen Holyfield over the years but always felt uncomfortable. Holyfield was standoffish. “He’d look at me,” Tyson said. “I feel like I’m having a face off every time I meet the guy.” He said he always “wanted to talk. I’ve said hi… I’d give him a limp handshake. I met him at the ESPY Awards. It was so stoic. He wouldn’t talk!”

Holyfield noted that he was the youngest of nine children and would bite his brothers. “That was karma came to roost,” mused Oprah. He wanted to come on the show to prove to kids that yes, even these two can forgive and forget. “We can come together,” he said. “We know you can come together.”

Oprah didn’t go over the incident itself in any detail or probe their feelings to any deep extent.