Hollywood, Fla. - Evander Holyfield, just months before his 59th birthday, got back on his feet in 1:49 by former UFC champion Vitor Belfort in the opening round on Saturday at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Belfort, 44, swung Holyfield from the opening bell and never gave up in the main event of Triller Fight Club, as former President Donald Trump watched from the commentary booth. One of boxing's all-time greats, the former heavyweight champion showed no resistance in his first fight since 2011.
A flurry of punches sent Holyfield to the canvas, and after defeating the count, Belfort let go of his hands until the referee intelligently stopped the fight, saving Holyfield from further punishment.
Belfort, who was boxing for the second time after an illustrious MMA career, took the opportunity to set up the anticipation of his next fight.
"O Jake Paul, stop running from me," said Belfort. "You can be my son. I'm going to hold you in my lap. You're going to sleep like a baby."
Silva demolishes Ortiz in first-round KO
Anderson is closer to 50 than Silva is 40, but the UFC great is, somehow, currently embarking on a relatively successful boxing run.
Silva stopped fellow MMA legend Tito Ortiz via knockout in 1:21 of the first round on Saturday night. Ortiz punched Silva and trapped him in the corner. But Silva ducks an Ortiz shot and lands on a huge counter right hook. Silva chased to the left as Ortiz slammed against the corner to put him down for good. Ortiz was completely unconscious.
Silva defeated former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. via split decision on June 12 in Guadalajara, Mexico. It was his first pro boxing match in 16 years. It was Ortiz's pro boxing debut.
"I worked hard to show respect for boxing," Silva said in his post-fight interview. "I continue to work every day to prove my respect for martial arts and Wing Chun and Bruce Lee.
"Grandmaster Bruce Lee said, 'Be water, my friend.' That's what I do today."
Carroll edges Vences for majority decision
Jono Carroll overtook Andy Vance Jr. via majority decision in a battle for 130-pound fringe contenders. A judge scored a 10-round bout 95–95, but it was dismissed with heights of 97–93 and 97–93.
Irishman Carroll, 29, said he could not see out of his right eye during the last five rounds, but still boxed effectively and aggressively. Carroll (20-2-1, 5 KOs) once challenged Tevin Farmer for the 130-pound title but lost. He lost again last year, a unanimous decision, against Maxie Hughes.
Vance (23-3-1, 12 KOs) has now lost two consecutive and three of his last four after setbacks to Albert Bell and Luis Alberto López. The 30-year-old from San Jose was released by Top Rank after a skid. The fight was originally scheduled for June 19 on the undercards of Teofimo López and Jorge Cambos Jr.
Haye toys with good friend Fournier, wins unanimous decision
David Hay won the PPV opener with a unanimous decision over his good friend Joe Fournier of England.
The scores were 79–72, 80–71 and 79–72 for the eight-round bout, which was fought over a two-minute round. Heavy, a former heavyweight and cruiserweight champion, retired in 2019 after a series of losses to Tony Bellew.
The encounter with Fournier was originally an exhibition. When the event moved from Los Angeles to the Miami area on eight days' notice, the matchup was officially sanctioned by the Florida Athletic Commission.
Hi (28-4, 26 KO) messed with Fournier and was clearly not trying to harm his friend. Hay, 40, dropped him with a jab in the first round, but otherwise clawed with Fournier throughout the duration of the fight.
Fournier (9-0, 9 KO) is a 38-year-old part-time boxer who competed in April on the Jake Paul-Ben Askren Triller undercard.