The original plan was to have former UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre come out of retirement to fight ex-boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya, but promotion president Dana White — who still holds the rights to “Rush” — vetoed the bill.
“I understand that Dana didn’t want me to fight,” St-Pierre told Cinema Blend. “However, it would have been fun. For me, it would have been a dream come true, because he is my second favorite boxer of all time, behind Sugar Ray Leonard. Plus, a lot of the money made would have been given to charity, so it would have been for a good cause.”
One door closes and another door opens.
Former UFC middleweight Vitor Belfort, who was expected to box Roy Jones Jr. under the ONE Championship banner, claims his contract with the Singapore-based combat sports promotion is coming to an end, making him available for “The Golden Boy.”
Or longtime nemesis Anderson Silva.
“I’m looking for an opponent now. I heard that Oscar De La Hoya is looking for someone to face. Oscar, don’t be afraid,” Belfort told Ag Fight. “Anderson would be incredible. Anderson and I, it would be a big rematch in boxing. It could be Oscar, Anderson, Holyfield. There is a list of guys who can make this happen.”
Belfort, 44, has not competed since a knockout loss to Lyoto Machida back in 2018.