Vitor Belfort: ‘I hope I don’t end up killing’ Oscar de La Hoya in the boxing ring

Vitor Belfort doesn’t want to end up killing boxing legend Oscar de La Hoya on Sept. 11, but ‘The Phenom’ has warned ‘The Golden…

By: Lewis McKeever | 2 years ago
Vitor Belfort: ‘I hope I don’t end up killing’ Oscar de La Hoya in the boxing ring
Bloody Elbow 2.0 | Anton Tabuena

Vitor Belfort doesn’t want to end up killing boxing legend Oscar de La Hoya on Sept. 11, but ‘The Phenom’ has warned ‘The Golden Boy’ that their upcoming boxing match will be a ‘no holds barred, all-out gladiator fight to the bitter end’.

“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, a former two-time UFC champion, told World Boxing News in a recent interview. “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 was, during his prime, one of the most feared boxing specialists in the UFC, but the 44-year-old has limited actual experience in the boxing ring. De La Hoya, on the other hand, won a total of 11 world titles in six weight classes and is widely considered one of the greatest boxers of all time — a true legend of the sport. The Olympic gold medalist is, however, four years Belfort’s elder and hasn’t fought in almost thirteen years.

De La Hoya vs. Belfort, which was recently ruled a pro-boxing match instead of an exhibition, will take place on Sept. 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

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Lewis McKeever
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