VITOR BELFORT’S coach has claimed he is ‘sceptical’ of Oscar De La Hoya’s diagnosis with coronavirus.
The fighters were due to meet in Las Vegas this weekend in a huge comeback bout for former six-weight world champ De La Hoya.
But the 48-year-old tested positive for coronavirus and pulled out of the fight after posting a video from his hospital bed.
Derik Santos, the trainer for ex-MMA star Belfort, has since aired his views on the matter.
He stated to Vegas Insider: “I’m not trying to disrespect Oscar, I saw the video of Oscar.
“But if I’m being honest, I’m still sceptical. Something about it didn’t seem right.
“The level of how bad it looked. I know you can still get Covid if you’re double vaccinated, but it didn’t seem right.
“Maybe he realised we were taking the fight seriously, I don’t know.
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“As far as I know, their side didn’t try to jump out and reschedule like others have, so yeah, I’m a little sceptical.
“I think he thought, ‘What have I got myself into’ – he even posted this. We were going in there to give him a very good boxing match. We were ready.
“If the man does have Covid then I wish him a good recovery, I’m just mildly sceptical.”
Belfort, 44, will instead face Evander Holyfield in the Triller fight, with the contest moved to Florida after the California State Athletic Commission refused to sanction the new opponent.
At 58, former heavyweight king Holyfield last fought a decade ago but has been planning a comeback for some time.
Santos noted that Belfort’s new opponent will cause different problems for the Brazilian star.
He added: “As far as Holyfield goes, his was a name that was thrown around before – he was an option for Vitor before.
“And he’s a big man, he is a very big man. Over the last couple of years I actually befriended him. He’s a good guy.
“I’ve always had great respect and admiration for him. We go from one Hall of Famer to literally and figuratively a bigger Hall of Famer.
“So it’s a challenge for sure and Holyfield has done a great job keeping himself in shape. I’ve marvelled at the shape he’s in.
“I don’t really know what to expect. I know he has been training, I know he has been working out and looking for a fight. It’s going to be interesting, it’s a different type of fight to Oscar. He’s much bigger than Vitor.”
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