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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 the 147-pound class, World Boxing Association welterweight champion “El Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera (37-3-1, 24 KOs) believes that in 2005 the welterweight division will be the strongest and most competitive in boxing. “I’m happy and excited to learn Shane Mosley will be fighting again in the welterweight division,” Rivera said. “With Mosley and De La Hoya dropping back down in weight, the welterweight division will be the most prominent in boxing. Someday I hope great fighters like them want a shot at my title.
“The welterweight division is the one to watch in 2005. The first few months will have some tremendous fights at 147, including mine against (Thomas) Damgaard, (Cory) Spinks–(Zab) Judah II, and (Antonio) Margarito–(Kermit) Cintron. I hope the great junior welterweight champion Kosta Tszyu moves up to 147 like he’s been talking. I welcome them all. To be the best, you have to beat the best.” The thirty-one-year-old Rivera has fully recovered from surgery to repair a tendon in his right thumb. He is in training for his a return to the ring in February or March for his mandatory defense against Damgaard (34-0, 26 KOs).”
