OSCAR DE LA HOYA will return to the ring on September 11 after 13 years to face ex-UFC champion Vitor Belfort.
The legend, 48, will compete in a special attraction exhibition boxing match that will take place at an upcoming Triller event ahead of Mexican Independence Day weekend.
The ‘Golden Boy’ last fought in 2008 when he was beaten by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.
However, having seen the success and financial gains of Mike Tyson’s comeback against Roy Jones Jr and more recently Floyd Mayweather’s versus Logan Paul, he announced in April his plan to pull the gloves back on.
DAZN News has now confirmed the six-division world champ will battle former UFC light-heavyweight king Belfort in an eight-round exhibition which will likely be in Las Vegas.
The bout will be eight rounds, with each being two minutes, and De La Hoya and Belfort will wear 12-ounce gloves.
De La Hoya desperately wanted to face Mayweather for the second time to try and avenge his controversial loss to ‘Money’ in 2007.
Belfort has not fought in the UFC since May 2018.
The 44-year-old was beaten by Lyoto Machida last time out but he does have experience of the ring already.
He won his sole boxing bout against Josemario Neves back in 2006 via knockout.
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Triller founder Ryan Kavanaugh says the event is part of a TrillerVerzuz Fight Club Mexican Independence Day weekend that would feature a Verzuz rap battle, all-day concerts on the day of De La Hoya-Belfort, and the following day like Coachella.
And musical acts Swizz Beatz and Timbaland will lead the entertainment portion of the spectacular.
Kavanaugh told DAZN News. “Welcome to the Trillerverze. Triller changed boxing. Verzuz changed music. The Trillerverze will change the game.”
