Vitor Belfort-Oscar De La Hoya Boxing Match Changed from Exhibition to Professional Bout

The stakes have been raised for the scheduled boxing match between Vitor Belfort and Oscar De La Hoya.

According to a report from ESPN, the fight, which was formerly slated to be an exhibition, is now a professional bout. It will be contested over eight two-minute rounds at 180 pounds and will take place on Sept. 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The California State Athletic Commission has approved the change.

“(Oscar) is the one who said ‘I’m in the best shape of my life, f- - - this exhibition B.S.’ I’m going for real.’ None of this ballroom dancing boxing has had to endure. Both of them are in incredible shape,” Triller co-founder Ryan Kanagaugh told ESPN.

The 44-year-old Belfort was initially supposed to face “The Real Tarzann” Mike Holston in a boxing match on June 19 before that booking fell through. “The Phenom” signed with One Championship after his final UFC appearance in 2018 but never fought for the Singapore-based promotion. Belfort is a former UFC light heavyweight champion who has competed primarily at 185 pounds during his MMA tenure.

The 48-year-old De La Hoya hasn’t fought since a stoppage loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2008. An Olympic gold medalist in 1992, De La Hoya was one of boxing’s top draws before Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao rose to prominence. Over the course of his career, De La Hoya compiled a 39-6 boxing record while capturing 11 world titles in six different weight classes.