Per multiple sources, Jim Lampley has opted out of calling Saturday night’s #HolyfieldBelfort Triller PPV. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) September 9, 2021
Although Florida ultimately said yes to Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort, renowned commentator Jim Lampley said no.
Triller announced earlier in the week that the company would be providing an alternate commentary stream, other than the standard option previously helmed by Lampley. Former president Donald Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr., will be calling some or all of the action on a separate broadcast. Since news of this was made public, veteran broadcaster Lampley has bowed out of his play-by-play role on the Saturday broadcast. The organization has not announced who will take his place.
Other than a few charity exhibition matches over the years including one with Mitt Romney, this bout with Belfort will be the first time Holyfield has stepped in the ring in over a decade. As it is a pro bout, knockouts and all standard boxing rules will apply. Holyfield claimed at the final press conference on Thursday that he had been training to return to competition for years, so stepping up on short notice was not a problem as he had already been preparing to fight someone.
Belfort originally expected that he would meet Oscar De La Hoya in a 185-pound bout, but the latter contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized for it. Instead, “The Phenom” will enter as a heavyweight against one of the most famous boxers to set foot in a ring. Belfort is 1-0 as a pro boxer, with that lone win coming by knockout over fellow neophyte Josemario Neves in 2006.