The exhibition trend in boxing continues as more and more legends come out of retirement for one last dance in the ring. This time it will be Oscar De La Hoya stepping into the ring for the first time since 2008. De La Hoya (39-6 with 30 knockouts) has been promoting Golden Boy Promotions since his retirement following a loss to Manny Pacquiao, but the now 48-year-old will shake off more than a decade of rust to add one more chapter to his legacy. The Golden Boy will be looking to take down MMA legend Vitor Belfort on the second Saturday of September.
De La Hoya vs. Belfort will headline a Triller PPV promotion on Saturday, September 11, 2021. Anderson Silva will take on Tito Ortiz on the undercard of this bout, and Jono Carroll will also step into the ring again to give the event some boxers still in their prime. This event will get started at 7 p.m. ET from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and it will be available via Fite PPV.
When: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Why: Exhibition Fight
De La Hoya tested positive for COVID-19
The fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Vitor Belfort originally scheduled for Saturday, September 11 was cancelled because De La Hoya tested positive for COVID-19. It was announced by Triller, who is doing the pay-per-view, that De La Hoya will be replaced by Evander Holyfield. The new matchup between Belfort and Holyfield will be held at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida with the same date of September 11.
Oscar De La Hoya had to pull out of his September 11 fight against Vitor Belfort which was set to take place at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. De La Hoya tested positive for COVID-19 even though he had been vaccinated. Triller Fight Club PPV announced that Evander Holyfield will replace De La Hoya and the fight will now take place in Hollywood, Florida with the date of Saturday, September 11 remaining the same.
Oscar De La Hoya vs Vitor Belfort Preview
The Golden Boy was one of the most celebrated boxers of the 1990s and 2000s. After winning the gold medal in the lightweight division at the 1992 Summer Olympics, Oscar De La Hoya turned pro and quickly became a fan favorite in the Mexican American community.
De La Hoya won titles in six weight classes during his 16 years as a professional fighter. He was a junior lightweight, lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, middleweight, and light middleweight champion during his career.
He won his first 31 fights before losing to Felix Trinidad by majority decision in September 1999, and his legacy took a hit with two losses to Sugar Shane Mosley. De La Hoya subsequently suffered defeats at the hands of Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Manny Pacquiao with the final loss leading to his retirement.
Vitor Belfort was one of the UFC’s first stars. He took part in UFC 12 back in February 1997, and he won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship over Randy Couture at UFC 46 in January 2004. Belfort lost his rematch though, and he went on to lost five of his next seven fights before turning things around.
Belfort eventually challenged Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman for the UFC Middleweight Championship and Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, but he lost all three title fights. He treaded water in the promotion for his last six fights before retiring following a knockout loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 224.
Although his background is in MMA, Belfort has previously taken part in a sanctioned boxing match. He knocked out Josemario Neves in the first round back in April 2006 in Salvador, Brazil. Belfort was legendary for his ability to stand and trade in the UFC though as 18 of his 26 wins came through knockout.
De La Hoya should have the edge given his extensive experience, but Belfort is younger and is going to have significantly less rust since he only retired three years ago.
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