Oscar De La Hoya says he's out of the hospital after 3-day bout with coronavirus
De La Hoya was fully vaccinated
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Boxing great Oscar De La Hoya said he had been released from the hospital on Wednesday following a three-day battle with the coronavirus.
"COVID hit me really hard," De La Hoya said in a video posted to Twitter and Instagram. "I was in the best shape of my life and I really can't wait to get back in the ring. Thank you very much for all your well wishes and all your support. I appreciate it."
Last Friday, he said he was canceling his fight with UFC champion Vitor Belfort because of his diagnosis, which he said had "really, really kicked my a—" in a Twitter video from his hospital bed where he looked and sounded exhausted.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}De La Hoya was fully vaccinated.
TRUMP, DON JR. TO PROVIDE COMMENTARY FOR EVANDER HOLYFIELD RETURN TO THE RING
Former US Olympics Gold medalist professional boxer Oscar De La Hoya stretches before sparring with his partner during a media workout in Los Angeles, California on August 24, 2021. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
"Preparing for this comeback has been everything to me over the last months, & I want to thank everyone for their tremendous support," he tweeted at the time.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He added last week that he was "confident" he would be "back in the ring before the year is up. God bless everyone and stay safe."
Evander Holyfield will now fight Belfort this Saturday in De La Hoya’s place and the fight has been moved from California to Florida.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}De La Hoya fought professionally from 1992 to 2008 and had already stepped away from the ring once. His last bout came in a loss to Manny Pacquiao via a referee technical decision in December 2008. He beat Steve Forbes via unanimous decision in May 2008.
Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.