Evander Holyfield to face Vitor Belfort Sept. 11 in Florida?

It was learned earlier on Friday that boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya would not be able to fight former UFC champion Vitor Belfort at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sept. 11 because he was hospitalized due to COVID-19. Former world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield offered to battle Belfort on the Triller Fight Club pay-per-view card, but it was feared the California State Athletic Commission would not sanction the bout. 

According to Mike Coppinger of ESPN, Holyfield has agreed to terms to fight Belfort, and Triller will hold that contest and the entire PPV lineup at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida after the match couldn't get sanctioned to happen in California. 

"Heavyweight fights are always the most exciting clashes, and this is a heavyweight fight between two true warriors," Triller's Ryan Kavanaugh told ESPN. "We really wish Oscar a speedy recovery; he's a champion and a warrior; we know he'll fight this and win. We look forward to seeing him in the ring on the anniversary of Fight Club's launch." 

Holyfield is 58 years old and hasn't fought since 2011. His upcoming match against Belfort will occur under pro-fight rules with eight two-minute rounds. 

Belfort, 44, last competed in the UFC in May 2018, when he lost to Lyoto Machida by knockout at UFC 224.