Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield shook hands on The Oprah Winfrey Show Friday, with Holyfield saying he has forgiven Tyson for biting him in their heavyweight title fight in 1997.

"The most important thing is to forgive, and I forgave him," Holyfield said. "It wasn't really as bad as they made it out to be. Things happen for a reason, but it's how you handle it."

Said Tyson to Holyfield, "I just want you to know it's been a pleasure passing through life, being acquainted with you."

Holyfield and Tyson reflected on having known each other as teenagers, and having had a rivalry when both were competing to make the 1984 Olympic boxing team. Holyfield said of the bizarre fight with Tyson, which ended in Holyfield winning by disqualification, "It's just a part of life. ... Everybody goes through something."

Asked by Winfrey whether the bite hurt, Holyfield said, "Just a little bit."

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