Oscar De La Hoya makes brutally honest remarks about Vitor Belfort boxing match

Boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya has admitted he “dodged a bullet” by not fighting Vitor Belfort last year.

In September 2021, Oscar De La Hoya was set to return to the boxing ring for the first time in 13 years to battle former UFC star Vitor Belfort. Alas, the bout didn’t go ahead as planned after De La Hoya tested positive for COVID-19 just a few weeks prior and endured a nasty battle with the virus.

Belfort went on to demolish last-minute replacement Evander Holyfield less than two minutes into the fight, leaving many to wonder whether or not it should’ve even gone ahead.

In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, De La Hoya actually admitted that it was probably a good thing he didn’t wage war against Belfort.

“I’m glad I didn’t fight this monster of a fighter because he’s a big guy, and he knows what he’s doing,” De La Hoya said. “He’s talented. As old as we were, we can still throw punches. We saw it with Evander Holyfield where he knocked him out. I think I dodged a bullet there.”

“I was in great shape, but I have to admit I was lying to myself,” De La Hoya said. “When I was sparring, I was getting hit a lot. So I was being stubborn. I was in great shape. My reflexes, the videos that I posted, they were legit. They were fast, my reflexes were incredible, but when I was sparring, I was getting hit too much.

“Everything happens for a reason. I’m glad I didn’t fight because obviously he’s a big guy, and he knocked out Evander Holyfield, so everything happens for a reason. I’m glad that I got over it [COVID-19] and I didn’t fight, and now I can just sit back and relax and grow some grey hairs promoting fighters.”

Based on these remarks, you’d have to imagine the 49-year-old De La Hoya will opt to stick to promoting as