Evander Holyfield lost by a first-round TKO to former UFC champion Vitor Belfort in his first professional bout since 2011. The 58-year-old Holyfield was filling in for Olympic gold medallist, and 11-time world champion across six weight divisions, Oscar de la Hoya, who had to withdraw from the Triller Fight Club main card due to a coronavirus-related hospitalisation.

The referee called off the fight with 10 seconds left in the round as the 44-year-old former mixed martial art star Belfort dropped Holyfield with a left-handed uppercut. Holyfield, who managed to get back on his feet before the 10-count, the referee’s decision to stop the fight was a “bad call,” according to USA Today. Holyfield, who has won the world heavyweight title a record four times, was barred by authorities in New York from boxing over his ‘poor performances and diminished skills’ in 2004.

The featured event of a four-fight card was held on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on Saturday and was marked by the presence of former United States President Donald Trump in the commentary box.

“You could see right from the beginning, he was not the same fighter. That left jab was very slow. He’s lost a lot,’’ Trump said as he sat alongside son Donald Trump Jr, former UFC star Jorge Masvidal and former WWE announcer Todd Grisham.

“I love great fighters and great fights,” Trump had said in a statement, announcing his commentary stint. “I look forward to seeing both this Saturday night and sharing my thoughts ringside. You won’t want to miss this special event,” he had said ahead of the Holyfield vs Belfort match.

MMA icon Anderson Silva defeated Tito Ortiz by KO, while Andy Vences lost to Jono Caroll and David Haye emerged victorious over close friend Joe Fournier in the other three events of the four-fight card.