Oscar De La Hoya is hospitalised with a Covid-19 infection and has withdrawn from his fight next weekend in Los Angeles, the 48-year-old said in a video shot from a hospital bed and posted to social media on Friday.
The Sept. 11 fight against former UFC champion Vitor Belfort would have marked the Hall of Fame boxer's return to the ring for the first time since 2008."What are the chances of me getting COVID?" an exhausted looking De La Hoya said in a brief video.De La Hoya thanked his fans for their support as he has worked toward the comeback and said he expects to return to the ring"before the year is up.
Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, 58, has reportedly agreed to step in and face Belfort, although it is unclear whether the Triller Fight Club pay-per-view fight will be held in Los Angeles or move to Florida.De La Hoya's last professional fight was a loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2008.