EVANDER HOLYFIELD will make a spectacular return to the ring against Vitor Belfort, former UFC light-heavyweight champion.
Oscar De La Hoya, a boxing legend, was scheduled to take on Belfort in the main fight of Triller’s latest Fight Club card. This was before he contracted Covid.
The Real Deal will meet Vitor Belfort, a former UFC light-heavyweight champion
In an effort to save the card's existence, Holyfield was promoted to be the undisputed cruiserweight king.
The California State Athletic Commission didn't allow Holyfield to compete at 58.
The entire event was moved to Florida because of the refusal by the CSAC to license The Real Deal.
Holyfield was granted a license despite his age. The commission did not have the time to properly assess him.
Holyfield will face Belfort for the first time in more than ten years. His last fight saw him score a tenth-round TKO win over Brian Nielsen, an IBO heavyweight champion.
However, the 1984 Olympian has been working to get back to the ring over the past 16 months.
Holyfield was scheduled to take on Kevin McBride undercard to Teofimo Lopez’s eagerly-awaited clash with George Kambosos Jr.
After Lopez, the unified lightweight champion, tested positive for Covid, the card was canceled.
De La Hoya, distraught, announced on Twitter that he was withdrawing from the Belfort clash, writing: "Wanted to tell you directly from me that, despite being fully vaccinated and having contracted Covid, I am not going to fight next weekend.
"Preparing myself for this return has been everything to my over the past months.
"I want to thank everybody for their incredible support.
"I am currently being treated in the hospital and I am positive that I will be back in my ring before the end of the year.
"God Bless Everyone and Keep You Safe!"
The Golden Boy, a patient in his hospital, said this: "What are my chances of getting COVID?"
"I have been taking care of my body and this really, really kicks my**s."
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