Oscar De La Hoya is relieved he did not make a return to the ring against Vitor Belfort last year.
De La Hoya was set to end a 13-year hiatus from the sport and fight former MMA star Belfort in an exhibition clash. However the American was forced to withdraw from the event at short notice after being hospitalised with coronavirus.
The 49-year-old has now admitted he was lying to himself about a comeback after claiming he was in the best shape since ending his career. “I’m glad I didn’t fight this monster of a fighter because he’s a big guy, and he knows what he’s doing,” De La Hoya said on The MMA Hour. “He’s talented. As old as we were, we can still throw punches. We saw it with Evander Holyfield where he knocked him out. I think I dodged a bullet there.
