De La Hoya to fight ex-UFC champ Belfort in September
FILE PHOTO: Boxing promoter and former boxer Oscar De La Hoya poses for a portrait following an interview with Reuters in New York, November 12, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Segar
MANILA, Philippines—Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya will make his ring return when he takes on former UFC champion Vitor Belfort on September 18 in Las Vegas.
As per BoxingScene.com, the fight will be an exhibition bout with the fighters wearing 12-ounce gloves.
Professional boxing requires fighters to wear eight or 10 ounce gloves.
This will be the first time that De La Hoya steps inside the ring once again after he lost to Manny Pacquiao in 2008.
De La Hoya, a champion in six weight classes, said he has utmost respect for Belfort, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, and he’s excited to show what true boxing means.
“I have nothing but the utmost respect for a champion like Vitor Belfort as we show the world what high level boxing is all about. It was incredibly important to me my comeback was on this date as it represents such an important moment in history for me, my fans and the words culture. This is much bigger than just me and this event, for all those with ties and or roots in and to Mexico,” said De La Hoya.
Belfort is one of the UFC’s most adept strikers and he is third on the organization’s list for most finishes.
“It will be a pleasure to represent MMA again, this time in the ring against one of the biggest names in the history of boxing. It will be a war not to be missed and a fight my kids will be talking about. This is certain to make combat sports history.”
The Brazilian fighter last fought in MMA in 2018 losing to fellow champion Lyoto Machida.
