It looks like Oscar De La Hoya and Vitor Belfort will be engaging in a real fight.
We’ve seen the likes of Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather return to the boxing ring recently and make a gaggle of cash to engage in some exhibition fights. Tyson took on Roy Jones, while Mayweather carried Logan Paul. We also have the Jake Paul train, where he’s fighting pro bouts against MMA guys like Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley.
To the surprise of approximately no one, 48-year-old Oscar De La Hoya wants some of that too. But apparently he doesn’t want to play around in no exhibition – he wants the real thing.
According to Ryan Kavanaugh of Triller, De La Hoya’s fight against former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort in September will be a professional fight and will count towards their records. ESPN’s Mike Coppinger passed on the information via social media:
Oscar De La Hoya-Vitor Belfort no longer being planned as an exhibition, Triller’s Ryan Kavanaugh tells ESPN. Now a real fight. Eight two-minute rounds contested at 180 pounds (+5 pounds). Per sources, preliminarily approved by California commission. Sept. 11 at Staples Center
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) July 21, 2021
So will count toward their records.
“(Oscar) is the one who said ‘I’m in the best shape of my life, f- – – this exhibition B.S.’ I’m going for real.’ None of this ballroom dancing boxing has had to endure. Both of them are in incredible shape,” Kavanaugh said.
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) July 21, 2021
As noted there, it will be an eight, two-minute round fight. And incredibly enough, it seems that the California State Athletic Commission is okay with this.
De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs) last stepped into the ring in 2008, when he was stopped by Manny Pacquiao. The former six-division champ has never fought above 160 pounds, while this bout will be contested at 180 pounds. Belfort (26-14, 1 NC MMA) has one professional boxing match to his name back in 2006, which was a quick knockout win. The 44-year-old hasn’t competed in MMA since a 2018 knockout at the hands (well, feet) of Lyoto Machida at UFC 224.
It will go down on September 11th in the Staples Center in Los Angeles under the Triller Fight Club banner.