Oscar De La Hoya Reveals COVID Diagnosis From Hospital, Delays Comeback Fight

BY Erika Marie 1.9K Views
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Oscar De La Hoya
He was set to return to the ring on September 11 in a fight against UFC champion Viktor Belfort.

Following the explosive revelations he shared with the Los Angeles Times about his teenage years, Oscar De La Hoya revealed that his upcoming comeback bout will have to be rescheduled. The champion boxing legend was all set to face off against UFC champion Viktor Belfort at the Staples Center in L.A. on September 11, marking his first fight since retiring back in 2008.

Boxing fans were excited about this match, however, on Friday (September 3), De La Hoya posted a video of himself in the hospital with an announcement that he is battling COVID-19.

"Wanted you to hear directly from me that despite being fully vaccinated, I have contracted Covid and am not going to be able to fight next weekend," he penned in the caption to his clip. "Preparing for this comeback has been everything to me over the last months, and I want to thank everyone for their tremendous support. I am currently in the hospital getting treatment and am confident I will be back in the ring before the year is up."

"God bless everyone and stay safe." In the video, he was in disbelief that he contracted the virus and added that it "really kicked my ass." Watch his video below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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