Holyfield receives 30-day medical suspension after Belfort fight

The boxing legend will be on the sidelines for a month. 

Evander Holyfield has received a 30-day medical suspension from the Florida State Boxing Commission (FSBC) following his first-round technical knockout loss to Vitor Belfort this past Saturday, per Steven Marrocco of MMA Fighting.

Holyfield stepped in on short-notice to meet Belfort, who was originally supposed to box Oscar De La Hoya before the ‘Golden Boy’ contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized. There were some concerns about Holyfield competing again for the first time in over a decade and footage of his open workouts did nothing to quell them, but ‘The Real Deal’ passed all required medicals and was licensed to fight by the commission.

Holyfield was dropped early by an uppercut from Belfort and then overwhelmed by a barrage of punches that saw referee Sam Burgos wave the fight off after nearly two minutes of action. The former heavyweight boxing champion was displeased with the stoppage and protested the decision, which he later said was a ‘bad call’ made by the referee.

The loss to Belfort would not be recorded on his professional record, though. Although it was marketed by Triller Fight Club as a professional fight, Holyfield vs. Belfort was actually an exhibition. Holyfield must still serve his 30-day medical suspension, but has expressed interest in returning to the boxing ring for a trilogy fight with Mike Tyson.

There was one other medical suspension given by the FSBC and that went to former UFC champion, Tito Ortiz. Ortiz suffered a first-round knockout against Anderson Silva and received a 60-day medical suspension.