Donald Trump stuns boxing fans with surprise announcement
Former US President Donald Trump has stunned sporting fans with the announcement of one of his first major public appearances since losing the 2020 election.
Trump's controversial presidency came to an end in January following the inauguration of Democratic candidate Joe Biden, with Trump fading into the background after his failed attempts to appeal the result of the election.
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He's struck a relatively quiet tone compared to the bombastic precedent he set during his presidency, only making a handful of public appearances at rallies.
Trump is evidently tired of staying in the background though, announcing he will be joining the commentary team for the upcoming boxing match between Evander Holyfield and Vitor Belfort in Florida.
In a press release, it was revealed the former president would spend the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York 'hosting and commentating' the bout between the two former boxing greats.
“I love great fighters and great fights,” Trump said in a press release.
“I look forward to seeing both this Saturday night and sharing my thoughts ringside. You won’t want to miss this special event.”
Trump will be joined by his son, Donald Trump Jr. for the event.
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However the former president has drawn more derision than excitement with the announcement.
Australian boxing author Alex McClintock said the event perfectly encapsulated Trump's fall since the lost election.
“If you ever feel like things are going badly, remember Donald Trump went from President of the United States to commentator on a novelty boxing match in Florida between two guys with a combined age of 102 in less than nine months," he posted on. Twitter.
“Doing commentary on novelty boxing matches seems like exactly the kind of thing Donald Trump would be doing in a world where he DIDN’T become president.”
MMA journalist Ben Fowlkes was equally incredulous.
“I don’t know what’s crazier: that the Triller people apparently thought to themselves ‘hey maybe we could get Trump on the mic for this Florida boxing s***show’ or that, if current reports are to be believed, they were right?” he wrote.
It's unclear how long Trump has been involved with the event. Holyfield — who is close with Trump — was not supposed to take part in the fight initially, and only stepped in after Oscar De La Hoya tested positive for COVID-19.
Donald Trump Jr. is also expected to commentate the match.
Since leaving office in January, Trump hasn't made many public appearances.
Perhaps his biggest public appearance since losing the election to Joe Biden took place at UFC 264 in July.
Though Trump's appearance at that event was promoted by Dana White, Trump was not shown on the broadcast.
That won't be the case on Triller, where Trump's presence is being promoted by the company.
With Yahoo Sports US
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