De La Hoya Yanked From Belfort Fight

Oscar De La Hoya will have to put his boxing comeback on hold.

That’s because “The Golden Boy” recently tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to withdraw from his Vitor Belfort boxing match, according to TMZ Sports, scheduled for Triller Fight Club on Sat., Sept. 11, 2021 inside Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

“I am currently in the hospital getting treatment and am confident I will be back in the ring before the year is up,” the recovering De La Hoya wrote on social media. “God bless everyone and stay safe.”

That’s the bad news.

The good news is that Belfort will remain on the card and likely fight former boxing champion Evander Holyfield, though Triller is waiting for California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) to approve the change in opponents.

There’s a good chance it won’t, since Holyfield turns 59 in just a few weeks.

If CSAC shoots down the pairing, expect Triller to relocate the event to Florida, probably because “The Sunshine State” is like the wild west when it comes to combat sports. No official announcement has been made just yet, but expect additional updates shortly.