The oddsmakers like the former UFC light heavyweight champion to beat the former heavyweight boxing champion.
Vitor Belfort opened as the favorite in a proposed Sept. 11 Triller Fight Club boxing match with Evander Holyfield, which is in the works after Belfort’s originally scheduled opponent Oscar De La Hoya was forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19.
The bout is still in the planning stages as contracts for the new matchup are yet to be signed and the 58-year-old Holyfield will require clearance from a commission, whether it be one in California as originally planned or Florida if the event ends up being moved.
Earlier in the day, Belfort was a -175 favorite, while Holyfield was a +145 underdog according to opening lines posted by BetOnline.ag. For betting purposes, a $175 bet on Belfort would be required to win $100, while a $100 bet on Holyfield would yield a return of $145.
The line has since shifted the other way, with Holyfield now a -145 favorite and Belfort a slight underdog at +115.
Belfort is 14 years younger than the 58-year-old Holyfield and has fought more recently, having announced a retirement from MMA just three years ago. However, this will be just the second boxing bout of Belfort’s career and his first since 2006.
Holyfield is one of the most accomplished heavyweight boxers of all time. He has had four separate reigns as champion, which includes holding boxing’s WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF titles on different occasions, and also won titles at cruiserweight. Holyfield’s last pro bout took place in May 2011.
See the opening Belfort vs. Holyfield odds below:
Vitor Belfort -175
Evander Holyfield +145
And the updated odds here:
Vitor Belfort +115
Evander Holyfield -145