Ahead of his Saturday return to boxing against 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, ex-UFC standout Vitor Belfort sat down with the media for a round-table discussion in South Florida.
Check out some of his comments on opponent Holyfield; the man he was supposed to fight, Oscar De La Hoya; the boxing match between former UFC champs Anderson Silva and Tito Ortiz on the same card; and more.
On Oscar De La Hoya's health
Oscar De La Hoya
I’m glad – he just posted a video. He’s healthy. … I’m happy he’s healthy and he’s good. A lot of people are losing their loved ones. This is serious stuff.
On a De La Hoya fight in the future
Oscar De La Hoya and Vitor Belfort
I think that fight will happen soon … (they’re) talking. I think that fight has to happen. … I think the fans and Triller want to see that fight happen.
On Evander Holyfield stepping in
Evander Holyfield
We’re talking about Holyfield – he stepped up. For me, it was an upgrade for business class to first class. One is a heavyweight legend. One is a lightweight legend. But remember, I’m jumping into their sport. … I think he’s a legend. He’s Holyfield. He hits you with one cross, you go bye-bye. It’s a privilege to be able to do a fight with him at this point in his life and my life and to cross my life into boxing and show my skills as a boxer.
He’s got juevos, man. He’s got big balls. He’s the real deal, Holyfield. He loves (boxing). He wants to show the people you’re not defined by your age. Stop defining people by how old they are.
On a potential boxing match with Anderson Silva
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO – JUNE 19: Anderson “Spider” Silva throws a punch at Julio Cesar Chavez Jr during a fight as part of the Tribute to the Kings at Jalisco Stadium on June 19, 2021 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
He’s one of them. We have a list, and we’re going to go through that list.
On the possibility he'll hurt Holyfield
Evander Holyfield
I’m a man of honor. I never step in there to hurt anyone. My intention is never to hurt anyone. My intention is to compete at a high level and bring entertainment at a high level. … I know he’s advanced in age, but he’s in tremendous shape – big, strong.
On Anderson Silva vs. Tito Ortiz
Anderson Silva and Tito Ortiz
It’s a very entertaining fight. I think it’s going to be very interesting. They both want to come to fight. They don’t want to tear their legacy. It’s very interesting. You have to earn yourself … Tito Ortiz and Anderson Silva, they have legacies. They should be here.
