In 1997, Tyson was disqualified after biting off part of Holyfield's ear during a WBA heavyweight title fight.
A respectful Tyson shook hands with his former rival several times Friday. Tyson said it was his first chance to speak at length with Holyfield since the ear biting.
Tyson had told Winfrey earlier that an initial apology he made after the incident was insincere. But asked what he wanted to say to Holyfield, Tyson stopped short of apologizing again.
Instead, he poured on the praise, calling Holyfield a great fighter and "a beautiful guy."