Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya will end his retirement at the age of 48 to trade leather with 44 year-old ex-UFC champion Vitor Belfort, an exhibition bout set for Sat., Sept. 11, 2021 inside Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
That’s according to ESPN.
De La Hoya first retired from boxing after losing to fellow “sweet science” legend Manny Pacquiao back in 2008. Unfortunately for the Olympic gold medalist, his in-ring accomplishments continue to be overshadowed by his personal issues.
Belfort, meanwhile, has not competed since a knockout loss to Lyoto Machida back in 2018. There was talk of resurrecting his cagefighting career for ONE Championship; however, “The Phenom” was more interested in chasing this pugilistic legend.
“I don’t know what I got myself into, he’s a big guy,” De La Hoya told Fight Hype. “So we’ll see, I’ve got a good chin so I have to work the body, I have to use my speed and then be on my toes and stick the jab. I got a nice game plan for him, so we’ll see.”
The Belfort bout is expected to be the first of many for De La Hoya, who signed a multi-fight deal with Triller back in March.