WORCESTER, Mass. World Boxing Association welterweight champion 'El Gallo' Jose Antonio Rivera’s (37-3-1, 24 KOs) is optimistic about the news that the 'Golden Boy' – Oscar De La Hoya – will soon return to the 147-pound welterweight division. Oscar’s been a great champion and class act for many years,” Rivera said from training camp. “I welcome him back to the welterweight division. He can only bring added credibility to an already strong division that also includes (Cory) Spinks, (Zab) Judah, (Antonio) Margarito, (Vernon) Forrest and so many other top fighters. When Oscar’s ready to challenge for a title belt at 147, I’d be more than willing to renew the Puerto Rican-Mexican rivalry that’s been so popular in boxing.” ome of boxing’s most memorable fights featuring Puerto Rican versus Mexican boxers, in addition to Tito Trinidad-De La Hoya, have been Wilfredo Gomez-Salvador Sanchez, Juan LaPorte-Julia Cesar Chavez, and Wilfredo Benetiz-Carlos Palomino. Rivera-De La Hoya sounds good to me,” Rivera added. “But first I’ve got to get ready for my mandatory defense against Thomas Damgaard." The 31-year-old Rivera, who was married Nov. 20, has fully recovered from surgery to repair a tendon in his right thumb. He is in training for a return to the ring in early 2005.
Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press
Discuss in Boxing Forum
Related Boxing Articles...
With the recent announcement that former world champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley will return to the welterweight division, on the heels of Oscar De La Hoya saying he’s coming back to >
Rivera approaches the ring looking stone-faced and determined; he salutes the crowd in his Mexican colors. Judah looks businesslike as he makes his way to the ring, speaking to himself, >
In the co-featured bout to Sam Peter vs. James Toney 2 last night in Florida, ex-WBA Light Middleweight Champion Travis Simms got a stoppage win over the reigning WBA Champion, >
As a prelude to a huge money fight against either Oscar de la Hoya or Shane Mosley, Zab Judah has announced that he will >
By Mike Casile challenge anybody at 154lbs, and ill take them out”
Jose Antonio Rivera is the WBA light middleweight champion, who won his title in a convincing fashion, knocking >
Local boxer Jose Antonio Rivera will have a chance to regain a world title when he challenges World Boxing Association super welterweight champion Alejandro "Terra" Garcia at the DCU Center >
WBA junior middleweight champion Jose Antonio Rivera (38-4-1, 24 KO's) is not interested in taking the easy road, and his upcoming defence against unbeaten Travis Simms (24-0, 18 KO's) is >
Boxing manager Steve “Tank” Tankanow has come out firing on behalf of his World Boxing Association “regular” welterweight champion, Jose Antonio Rivera. “Tank” has been irked by some of Judah’s >
Zab Judah may no lonegr be facing Sharmba Mitchell at the Gund Arena on September 3, but WBO light middleweight champion Daniel Santos will certainly be in action. The Puerto >
World Boxing Association light middleweight champion "El Gallo" Jose Antonio Rivera hopes to eliminate the phrase "boxing's best-kept secret" from his portfolio with an impressive performance January 6 on Showtime >
