MIKE TYSON’S EAR-BITING DURING BOXING

CHAMPIONSHIP VIOLATES NO OBLIGATION TO

VIEWERS

TOPIC: Contracts

BY: Brianna “the fab” Byard

Noelle Woodman

Rebecca “the bomb higgity” Higgins

SUMMARY

Mike Tyson bit off opponents ear

during match. Tyson was disqualified and

many viewers were upset. People who

paid to watch wanted a refund, so they

sued Tyson, fight promoters, and fight

telecasters. They claimed breach of

contract, unjust enrichment, fraud, and

other accounts. The trial court dismissed

the suit and viewers appealed.

KEY WORDS

Privity- private or secret knowledge. 

Breach- the act or a result of breaking; break or rupture.

Fraud- deceit, trickery, sharp practice, or breach of confidence,

perpetrated for profit or to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage. 

Warranties- an act or an instance of warranting; assurance;

authorization; warrant.

Unjust Enrichment- A general equitable principle that no person

should be allowed to profit at another's expense without making

restitution for the reasonable value of any property, services, or other

benefits that have been unfairly received and retained.

DECISION

The viewers lost

their claim because the

contract doesn’t promise

that the fight will end in a

disqualification. They paid

to see the fight although it

didn’t end how the

wanted.

CITATION

Castillo v. Tyson, 701 N.Y.S.2d 423 (Sup. Ct., App.

Div., N.Y., 2000)