Oscar De La Hoya hospitalized with COVID-19, withdraws from upcoming fight

 

LOS ANGELES— Oscar De La Hoya is hospitalized with a COVID-19 infection and has withdrawn from his fight next weekend in Los Angeles, the 48-year-old said in a video shot from a hospital bed and posted to social media on Friday.

The Sept. 11 fight against former UFC champion Vitor Belfort would have marked the Hall of Fame boxer's return to the ring for the first time since 2008.

De La Hoya said he was fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before contracting the virus.

"What are the chances of me getting COVID?" an exhausted looking De La Hoya said in a brief video.

"I've been taking care of myself and this really, really kicked my ass."

De La Hoya thanked his fans for their support as he has worked toward the comeback and said he expects to return to the ring "before the year is up."

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Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, 58, has reportedly agreed to step in and face Belfort, although it is unclear whether the Triller Fight Club pay-per-view fight will be held in Los Angeles or move to Florida. Holyfield's last fight was in 2011, a TKO victory over Brian Nielsen. De La Hoya's last professional fight was a loss to Manny Pacquiao in 2008. (Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles) -reuters-

De La Hoya arrested for suspected DUI in California

Boxing Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya was arrested early Wednesday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence in Pasadena, Calif.

De La Hoya was stopped for speeding in his Land Rover on Del Mar Boulevard, at which point the investigating officer smelled an alcoholic odor in the car and administered "a series of field sobriety tests," according to ESPN.

The 43-year-old De La Hoya failed the tests and was arrested at 1:57 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

A 1992 Olympic gold medal winner and 10-time professional world champion, De La Hoya is no stranger to substance abuse. He checked himself into rehab in 2011 after admitting he had issues with cocaine and alcohol and had been having suicidal thoughts. Two years later, De La Hoya also checked into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center.

De La Hoya failed to show on Wednesday at a news conference in Los Angeles to promote Golden Boy's HBO fight card on Saturday night.

De La Hoya won titles at 130, 135, 140, 147, 154 and 160 pounds. He won bouts against Hall of Famers Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. (twice), Pernell Whitaker and Arturo Gatti. He also fought other greats, including Felix Trinidad, Hector Camacho Sr., Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley (twice) and Manny Pacquiao.

De La Hoya went 39-6 with 30 knockouts in his career.

(Editing by Frank Pingue)

source: news.abs-cbn.com