Tag: Oscar De La Hoya

While former UFC star Vitor Belfort has a lot of respect for his upcoming boxing opponent, Oscar De La Hoya, he’s warning the public that he may accidentally inflict fatal damage on the boxing legend when they go to war in the ring next month in Los Angeles.

Belfort enters the bout in his first boxing match since making the full commitment to transition from MMA to boxing during this latter stage of his career. He competed in a boxing match in the mid-2000s against Josemario Neves, earning the knockout win.

After a long tenure in MMA that included runs in the UFC, PRIDE, and an attempted run in ONE Championship that never materialized, Belfort is full-steam ahead when it comes to his boxing career as he gets ready for a professional boxing fight against one of the best ever in De La Hoya.

Belfort is training hard for his opportunity to beat De La Hoya, and he’s in some ways worried about the damage he may inflict on the boxing Hall of Famer.

“Oscar De La Hoya is a true superstar in the boxing world and one of the greatest and most popular fighters of our time,” Belfort said in a recent interview with World Boxing News. “While we both have a great deal of respect for each other’s accomplishments, on September 11, I will make my MMA fans proud. I’ll show that MMA and ex-UFC fighters can take down even the best boxer in the world.”

“I hope I don’t end up killing him. But everything is on the table. This is a no holds barred, all-out gladiator fight to the bitter end.”

Belfort is a slight-betting favorite heading into his boxing match with De La Hoya, who hasn’t competed in the ring since he lost to Manny Pacquiao back in 2006. These latest comments will surely add fuel to the fire ahead of the Sept. 11 fight.

What is your prediction for Oscar De La Hoya vs. Vitor Belfort?

The highly-anticipated boxing match between Boxing hall of farmer Oscar De La Hoya and former UFC star Vitor Belfort is set for September 11th in Los Angeles, and the two stared each other down for the first time ahead of the professional fight.

After weeks of back-and-forth regarding the details surrounding the bout, it was determined that the bout will be recorded and sanctioned as a professional boxing match rather than an exhibition. Belfort is making his transition from MMA to boxing after a long, successful career in MMA that included successful stints in the UFC and PRIDE.

The fight will be De La Hoya’s first since his loss to Manny Pacquiao all the way back in 2008, as he’s been contemplating a return to the ring for years and has worked in a wide variety of roles as a promoter and media analyst.

This will be the second career boxing match for Belfort, who defeated Josemario Neves back in 2006 by knockout in his sole moments in the ring. Belfort was a multiple-division champion in the UFC and PRIDE, and also had a short stint on the ONE Championship roster before he parted ways with the promotion before ever fighting for them.

Belfort has also advocated for potential future boxing fights with legends such as Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson, though negotiations have never materialized. Belfort seems keen on having a successful boxing career in this late stage of his time in combat sports.

“This is not a game,” De La Hoya said during the press conference. “We don’t play boxing. We don’t play UFC. We don’t play MMA. I literally said if we’re going to do this, let’s do it for real. Let’s not do this song and dance. Let’s not do these exhibitions that we’re tired of. This is the real thing.”

Belfort and De La Hoya will each look to prove they have what it takes to compete at an elite-level professional this late in their athletic careers.

What is your prediction for Vitor Belfort vs. Oscar De La Hoya?