Oscar De La Hoya and Vitor Belfort Will Fight in LA, No Exhibition

By Lauren Rodriguez

Published July 27, 2021

LOS ANGELES-Oscar De La Hoya is back.

Triller Fight Club hosted their ‘Legends II’ press conference” in front of the Los Angeles Staples Center where a statue of De La Hoya stands as a monument to his contributions to combat sports.

The Golden Boy returns back to the prize ring with De La Hoya (39–6, 30 K.O) facing former UFC champion Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort (26-14 MMA) on September 11th at the Staples Center. The event is expected to sell at full capacity as well as broadcast on pay-per-view on FITE.tv and other providers.

Over 20 years later, this matchup brings a full circle to the history of boxing at the Staples Center. The first fight night at the arena was held in June of 2000, with a world title match between De La Hoya and Sugar Shane Mosley. A bronze statue of the Golden Boy now stands in front of the venue, another sign of the East Los Angeles legend’s history with the Staples Center.

The 47-year-old boxing veteran is eager to get into the ring, stating he missed fighting.

“I respect you. [Belfort] But, I'll tell you one thing, we're going to kick the crap out of each other. That’s what I’m actually looking forward to,” said De La Hoya. “Call me crazy but I’m looking forward to it. I miss that, getting hit, for some strange reason.”

Belfort, hailing from Rio de Janeiro, is the projected winner for many. The 44-year-old UFC 12 heavyweight champion holds the third most finishes in UFC history, making him an interesting matchup for decorated boxer De La Hoya.

The MMA fighter wouldn’t be surprised with a win.

Stating, “I’m coming to this fight because I can, so nothing will surprise me.”

After a decade of retirement, the paired mashup can be called surprising. With so many legendary boxers returning to the ring, it was a question as to why he would choose an opponent specializing in MMA. De La Hoya's reasoning behind his choice of matchup was to bring a new challenge to the esteemed boxer.

“I've had every challenge in the book. I’ve fought the very best from Vargas, Pacquiao to Hopkins. I wanted a different challenge. A challenge that’s going to take my mentality, my training to a whole new level. I’m facing a guy who’s a light heavyweight champion of the world and that to me is a challenge. I have to adjust to his style as well. We have to adjust and it's not going to be easy… I've always been one to take on the best and Vitor is one of the very best,” said De La Hoya.

The anticipated return, unlike other legends stepping back into the ring, will not be an exhibition. The event will be scored and counted on their professional boxing career records.

De La Hoya's reasoning, because he doesn’t “play” boxing, he fights.

“This is not a game. We don’t play boxing. We don't play UFC. We don’t play MMA. I said if we’re going to do this, let's do this for real. Let’s not do this song and dance. Let's not do these exhibitions that we are tired of.”

Belfort predicts a knockout, describing a subconscious winning state of mind as his motivator.

“I think what I’m going to say is going to shock you. The problem today is people are looking at the odds. I never look to the odds. I make my odds. I make my predictions.”

The MMA fighter noted his winning and king of the jungle mentality as reasoning for his certainty.

“My heart, not my size. The king of the jungle is the king for a reason.. he’s the most courageous animal”

An eager De La Hoya stated he’s not opposed to fighting other boxing greats like Floyd Mayweather and Canelo.

“Why not? If I get knocked out, I get knocked out.”