Comments Thread For: De La Hoya Admits He "Dodged A Bullet" By Not Facing Vitor Belfort

[tokon]

Belfort probably could have made some noise as a pro boxer had he focused on just that. When I watched him back in the 90s, I remember thinking his boxing was just too good for the brawlers the ufc had back then. I really wish the nation of Brasil would concentrate more on boxing rather than Luta Livre, BJJ, and Judo. Those favelas are a never ending supply of potential contenders and champions

Belfort tried his hands at boxing, didn't do much.

Career juicer.

[Sammy7861992]

Let’s be fair and talk some sense here about Holyfield.

1. He had 8 days notice.
2. He had last fought in 2011.
3. He was 58 years old.

Holyfield is a human being, especially at 58.

I don’t care who you are and what your age is, an out of shape boxer with 8 days notice can lose to literally anybody. Check out Mayweather vs Spadafora sparring session. That was a totally out of shape Mayweather. In fact he has admitted that the sparring session made him always be in shape 24/7, 365. No one in their right mind would choose Spadafora over Mayweather in an actual pro fight. But we saw a version of that matchup and Mayweather lost.

If prime, 20s Mayweather can lose to someone he has no business losing to because he was out of shape…then yeah, 58 year old Holyfield would suffer the same fate.

Although I am not full of sh/t, so I will admit that I unrealistically thought Holyfield would win like mostly everyone did. But in hindsight, a decade since your last fight and 8 days notice, was a recipe for disaster. I mean it would have made sense if Holyfield won, it would have been a “duh” moment. But the other outcome makes sense as well.

It doesn’t matter how you came out of shape. Whether the fighter is overweight while not training, or he’s weight drained on fight night. Either way, it’s going to be tough. DLH decided to come in at 147lbs on fight night vs Pacquiao, who weighed a comfortable 148lbs. He was favored, it would have made sense for him to win. But in hindsight, Roach and Ariza were right: 1. He couldn’t make 147 comfortably, and was seen “huffing and puffing” while running. And 2. He couldn’t pull the trigger anymore.

Being out of shape in any way can be disastrous for any boxer in history.

It's not so much out of shape than u lose ur timing, u can be fit and in shape but if ur not training boxing drills u won't have timing, I remember after covid lockdowns I was getting bust in sparring by guys I would have a easy time with before and after a few sessions but I wasn't lacking fitness I was running and shadow boxing and strength training but I had no bag or pads so I wasn't punching anything, I feel u lose alot not being in the gym for even a week

[Old Spice]

My reflexes were great but I was getting hit a lot in sparring. I was doing great on parole until I was caught in possession of a gun.

[Oldskoolg]

Belfort tried his hands at boxing, didn't do much.

Career juicer.

I recall a pro fight at he local brasil club level. He never really took it as serious as he should have. So many of these mma guys want to “try” boxing and it just doesn’t work like that. I get that most want to train and fight in it to give them the striking edge in a sport that’s based on Thai/kickboxing striking which is technically different from boxing even in talking punches. The stance is different and there is little to no bobbing and weaving due to strikes coming from elsewhere. One cannot dominate mma and then hope to dominate boxing. Far easier to do that going from boxing to mma as holly holm proved

[Boxfan83]

The videos throughout Oscar's training camp had him looking like he was snorting his pre workout if you know what I mean.

[hrt3333]

Kinda weird you’re getting hit a lot if your reflexes are there?

[deathofaclown]

Sounds like when Nigel Benn cancelled his comeback fights

The truth is any old pro looks great hitting pads and a bag, they’ve done it since they’re kids, so they probably feel sharp doing it, Like Benn did. Soon as he started sparring again, he realised it’s not like hitting a bag and promptly cancelled his fight with some excuse.

Sounds like Oscar did the same.