Fully vaccinated Oscar De La Hoya hospitalized by COVID-19
As Alexander K. Lee and Damon Martin explained for MMA Fighting, combat sports legend and all-time great Oscar De La Hoya was scheduled to return to the ring Sept. 11 for a boxing match versus former UFC champion Vitor Belfort at Staples Center in Los Angeles. However, De La Hoya was ruled out of the contest after testing positive for COVID-19, and former world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield is attempting to step in as a replacement for De La Hoya.
De La Hoya updated via Twitter that he is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 but nevertheless is receiving treatment in the hospital after the virus hit him hard.
Holyfield, 58, hasn't fought since 2011, and TMZ Sports reports the California State Athletic Commission may not sanction a bout between the "Real Deal" and Belfort. TMZ adds, though, the fight could be relocated to Florida, where it would be permitted to occur on the second Saturday of September.
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