VITOR BELFORT'S coach claimed that he was skeptical of Oscar De La Hoya being diagnosed with coronavirus.
Las Vegas, Nevada - The fight was scheduled for this weekend between the fighters in a massive comeback bout for De La Hoya, the former six-weight world champion.
Derik Santos (left), is training Vitor Belfort in preparation for his boxing match.
After posting a video from his hospital room, the 48-year old tested positive for coronavirus. He then pulled out of the fight.
Derik Santos is the former trainer of MMA star Belfort and has since spoken out.
Vegas Insider was informed by him that he didn't mean to disrespect Oscar. He said, "I saw the Oscar video.
"But, if I'm honest, I'm still skeptical. It didn't feel right.
"The severity of the situation. It is possible to get Covid even if you are double-vaccinated. But it just didn't seem right.
"Maybe he realized that we were taking this fight seriously. I don't know.
"As far I know, their side did not try to jump out of the way and reschedule as others have. So yeah, I'm a bit skeptical.
He even posted the following: "I think that he thought, ‘What have I got myself into’ We were there to give him a good boxing match. We were ready.
"If the man has Covid, then I wish him well. I'm only mildly skeptical."
Evander Holyfield will face Belfort (44), in the Triller fight. The contest was moved to Florida because the California State Athletic Commission declined to sanction the new opponent.
Holyfield, a former heavyweight champion, has been planning a return for some time. He is now 58 years old.
Santos pointed out that Belfort's new opponent would pose different problems to the Brazilian star.
He said: "As far Holyfield goes, his name was thrown around prior - he could have been an option for Vitor before.
"And he's big, he's very big." He has been a friend of mine for the past couple years. He is a great guy.
"I have always held great admiration and respect for him. We move from one Hall of Famer, to literally and metaphorically, a larger Hall of Famer.
Holyfield has done an amazing job of keeping himself in good shape. It's amazing to see the form he is in.
"I don’t know what I should expect. I know that he has been training and that he is looking for a fight. It's going be an interesting fight, and it's different from Oscar. Vitor is much smaller than he is."
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