Vitor Belfort still wants Oscar De La Hoya bout: 'That's the fight to make'

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Vitor Belfort might not be fighting Oscar De La Hoya this weekend, but that doesn’t mean the matchup is forever gone.

The former UFC champion still eyes a boxing bout with De La Hoya later this year after his fight with Evander Holyfield on Saturday, Sept, 11 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Belfort meets Holyfield in the main event of Triller Fight Club Legends II.

Belfort was originally scheduled to fight De La Hoya in Los Angeles this Saturday, but the fight was canceled as De La Hoya was hospitalized from COVID-19. Holyfield replaced De La Hoya on short notice and the fight was moved to South Florida.

“I’m going after you, Oscar,” Belfort told MMA Junkie. “I want to melt that gold pot. I just hope he’s good. I hope he’s healthy. That’s my No. 1 concern – his life. We’re in this pandemic and it’s crazy, but that’s the fight to make.

“We’re going to have to make it. I think Triller is going to make it happen by the end of the year. It’s not (over). The fans want that fight so it’s going to happen.”

As far as the fight with Holyfield, Belfort, who’s 44, has no problem getting in the ring with the 58-year-old. Despite Holyfield retiring a decade ago, “The Phenom” feels Holyfield’s experience and accolades merit a fight and he expects the former champion to put on a fight.

“His name is Evander Holyfield for a reason,” Belfort said. “I don’t care if he’s 100 years old. He’s Evander, he’s ‘The Real Deal’ and he’s a legendary fighter. He’s going to bring it and it’s going to be an amazing event and can’t wait.”

Watch the interview with Belfort in the video above.