Although Vitor Belfort’s upcoming boxing match against Oscar de la Hoya may be promoted as boxing vs MMA, much like Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley, Belfort sees no comparison.
Speaking to The MMA Hour, Belfort explained his thoughts, dismissing Jake Paul as “a Disney channel type of thing” and praising “real man” de la Hoya.
Vitor Belfort SLAMS Paul vs Woodley: “I cannot respect a YouTuber”
“I told you I thought that [Woodley] was going to have trouble beating the kid, because he’s literally becoming a fighter. But his level is very low compared to a guy like myself and Oscar. We’re in the next level.
It’s hard. It’s like comparing a wine that you can buy in Target. I’m being honest. I respect both of the guys. They did great, they made a lot of money.
But at the end of the day, me and Oscar’s a legendary fight, it’s a legacy fight, it’s a generation fight. It’s the guys that are literally building a sport.”
Oscar de la Hoya, at the peak of his powers, was a major draw, holding multiple titles in the 90s and 00s. Back then, of course, MMA was still in its infancy, and a cross-promotional superfight was unthinkable.
Although Vitor Belfort once expressed a desire to box Jake Paul, he remains more interested in taking on serious professional fighters.
“Everyone has their own journey.
I call it the why of fighting and the why of competing. Me and Oscar is a legendary fight. The fight yesterday is, I’m sorry, but I cannot respect a YouTuber. He’s a Disney channel type of thing, and the other guy doesn’t have hands. He doesn’t know how to box.”
Belfort continued, trashing Paul and Woodley’s boxing skill, or lack thereof.
“He has the skill to fight a guy like a wrestler, not a boxer.
He cannot survive. He cannot survive against a real striker. He’s getting better. I respect him for what he’s been doing, but it’s like he’s a product made by Disney. It’s almost like he’s been made and protected.
He didn’t want to fight me. He was scared. I understand, but I respect Oscar. Oscar’s man enough not fighting a YouTuber. Oscar is fighting a real fighter like myself. My respect comes not if you’re a winner or a loser – it’s who you’re competing against.”
Belfort continued, declaring his respect for Oscar de la Hoya, particularly compared with another boxing superstar of yesteryear: Floyd Mayweather.
“I have respect for Oscar, he’s not getting the YouTuber like Floyd got his brother. These guys cannot box, man. You put these two brothers [together], I will fight them the same night, I will put them out.”
Do you think Vitor Belfort is right to dismiss the Paul brothers’ foray into boxing? Let us know in the comments.
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