De La Hoya Favored Over Belfort In Comeback Bout

De La Hoya vs Belfort Betting Predictions

The hardest thing for a boxer to do is to stay out of the ring. Boxing bettors can count on one hand the number of legendary fighters who were able to hang up their gloves without being enticed by a comeback bout. The latest of the all-time greats who is seeking to defy both Father Time and the boxing odds is Oscar De La Hoya. He'll fight Vitor Belfort on September 11.

• Oscar De La Hoya is a -130 favorite over Vitor Belfort in their September 11 boxing bout
• De La Hoya will be fighting for the first time since 2008
• Belfort is a former UFC heavyweight champion who boxed one professional bout

Is the Golden Boy about to tarnish his image? An 11-time world boxing champion in six different weight classes, Oscar De La Hoya hasn't stepped inside the ring with boxing gloves on since 2008. His last pro fight was a loss to Manny Pacquiao on December 6, 2008.

De La Hoya will end his nearly 13 years away from the ring on September 11, when he faces former UFC world heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort in an eight-round bout at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Originally set to be an exhibition bout, last month both fighters agreed to make the fight an officially sanctioned bout under the auspices of the California State Athletic Commission. They will fight eight two-minute rounds at a weight limit of 180 pounds.

Boxer
Oscar De La Hoya	-115	-120	-130
Vitor Belfort	-115	-120	+100

While the majority of online sports betting sites are establishing the De La Hoya-Belfort odds as the same for both fighters, BetOnline is setting De La Hoya as the -130 chalk to win the bout. Belfort is given an underdog betting line of +100.

Remember to read our guide if you have any doubts about how to bet on boxing.

How Rusty Will De La Hoya's Ring Skills Be?

The last time De La Hoya was in the ring was as part of the TV show where he boxed basketball legend, Shaquille O'Neal. That was in 2009.

Can he really come back to pro boxing after nearly 13 years outside of competition and be the De La Hoya of old? The fact of the matter is that he was already looking more like an old De La Hoya in the final few years of his pro career.

For the majority of his pro bouts, De La Hoya was a lock in the boxing picks. He was 31-0 through the first seven years of his boxing career. There were signature victories over Julio Cesar Chavez (twice), Hector Camacho, and Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker.

Over the final nine years of his career, De La Hoya was a middling 8-6 inside the ring. He lost to Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Shane Mosley (twice), Felix Trinidad, and Bernard Hopkins. He was defeated twice via stoppage.

Belfort's Questionable Boxing Skills

In MMA, Belfort was known for his impressive knockout power. He's tied for third in stoppages in UFC history with 14 KOs.

In the lead up to this fight, Belfort boasted that he'd made the Brazilian Olympic team for the 2000 Sydney Summer Games but was unable to compete due to a knee injury. However, research into this claim has proven it to be completely untrue. Belfort didn't even enter the Brazilian Olympic boxing trials for that Olympiad.

His pro boxing career consists of one bout. On April 11, 2006, Belfort knocked out Josemario Neves one minute into the first round of their fight.

Go With The Proven Performer

Belfort, 44, should also be a bit rusty. He's not fought anyone in over three years. The Brazilian won just one of his final five UFC bouts. 

Originally, De La Hoya discussed a comeback fight against two-time world champion Gennady Golovkin, considered among the finest pound for pound boxers in the fight game today. Instead, De La Hoya has wisely opted to test the waters against Belfort, whose skills are inside the octagon of MMA and not the boxing ring.

De La Hoya is 48 and well past his prime, but he's still the pick in the boxing Vegas odds. Much of what's inside Belfort's toolbox that made him a UFC champion will be of no use to him inside a boxing ring. Even though De La Hoya is fighting at 20 pounds over his previous heaviest weight in the ring, going with the skilled boxer is always going to be the best bet

Oscar De La Hoya To defeat Vitor Belfort

-130

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Where to Bet On The De La Hoya-Belfort Bout?

There are a number of leading online betting sites that will provide bettors with the chance to place a wager on the De La Hoya-Belfort fight, whether it be a fight outcome wager, a future book bet, a rounds wager, or an event or a boxing prop wager. The best bet you can make is to shop around in advance and seek out the right deal before joining one of these sportsbooks. Check out MyBookie and BetUS as examples.

The signup bonus offers that are in place at all of these recommended sites will prove advantageous to the bettor. And since you'll get a good deal wherever you go, why not check out several sites and find the ideal fit for your needs?

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