Boxing Legend Oscar De La Hoya Says He “Dodged a Bullet” by Not Fighting This “Monster”

Oscar De La Hoya is one of the living legends in the sport of boxing. Aptly named, ‘The Golden Boy’, Hoya has won a whopping 11 world titles in six weight classes. However, Hoya recently revealed that he was glad to not have faced MMA legend, Vitor Belfort, in the ring.

Hoya was talking at the MMA Hour‘ with sports journalist Ariel Helwani. In conversation, Helwani asked him about his bout with Belfort. Moreover, he asked him about his thoughts on the cancellation of the bout.

In response, Hoya mentioned that it was unfortunate that the bout did not materialize. He said, “I mean everything, everything just happens for a reason. It didn’t take place, unfortunately.”

However, he quickly added that he was glad to not have fought Belfort. Hoya said, “I’m glad I didn’t, I didn’t fight this monster of a fighter because you know he’s a big guy. He knows what he’s doing, he’s talented. You know, as old as we were, we still can throw punches.”

Additionally, Hoya also emphasized the reality that Belfort was a fighter who knocked out the formidable Evander Holyfield. In fact, he mentioned that he ‘dodged a bullet’ by not fighting Belfort.

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The Oscar De La Hoya vs Vitor Belfort exhibition bout

Oscar De La Hoya announced his retirement from boxing on April 14, 2009. But, it was revealed in June 2021, that Hoya will be coming out of retirement to fight Belfort.

Moreover, there was news that the bout will be a special attraction exhibition match promoted by the Triller Fight Club. The bout was scheduled to take place in Las Vegas on September 11, 2021.

Meanwhile, in July 2021, it was announced that the Hoya vs Belfort showdown will no longer be an exhibition match. In fact, it was revealed the fight will be a professional boxing match regulated by the California State Athletic Commission.

The fight was scheduled to take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. However, Hoya had to back out of the fight after being hospitalized with COVID-19. This put an end to any further speculation about the fight and, by the looks, it might have been in favor of De La Hoya. Fighting Vitor Belfort would have been a challenge for any active fighter, let alone someone who has been retired for more than a decade.

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What do you think of Hoya’s statement? Let us know in the comments below.