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Interview

September 9, 2003
Interview with JOSE ANTONIO RIVERA

"Expect me to go in there and win the fight"

by Julius Stecker
PHOTO CREDIT: DKP
      "El Gallo" Jose Antonio Rivera takes his 36-3-1 record into Germany for a chance at the WBA welterweight championship against unbeaten Michel Trabant on September 13th. This opportuity arose for Rivera, who is on a 7 fight win streak, when Ricardo Mayorga became a two-title champ beating Vernon Forrest. Mayorga was upgraded to "Super Champion" and the WBA mandated a title match between its top two contenders #2 Thomas Damgaard and #3 Trabant, (#1 was vacant). When Damgaard’s promoter, Team Palle, failed to meet a WBA-imposed deadline to stage the fight, the WBA matched Trabant against the next-in-line challenger, #4 Rivera, while mandating the Trabant-Rivera winner must face Damgaard within 120 days of the fight. Rivera is only two wins away for a shot at Ricardo Mayorga and looks for a win this Saturday over Trabant. TalkingBoxing's Julius Stecker spoke with Rivera for a few minutes on his upcoming fight.

      Jose Antonio Rivera

Julius Stecker: How is training going right now?

Jose Antonio Rivera: Great, Training is going great and everything is going good.

Julius Stecker: What do you know about you next opponent, Michael Trabant?

Jose Antonio Rivera: He seems to be a well conditioned fighter, he works the body good, and he is a good all around fighter.

Julius Stecker: You are 36-3, with 24 KO's and you have beaten some quality opponents, do you think the boxing media underrates you sometimes?

Jose Antonio Rivera: I know that but I have always been underrated.

Julius Stecker: What would winning the WBA Welterweight Title mean to your career?

Jose Antonio Rivera: It would definitely mean a lot to me and my career, it would also make me better situated financially.

Julius Stecker: I know you are not looking past this fight, but if you win who would you want to fight most?

Jose Antonio Rivera: I am not going to look past this fight, to me there is only this fight.

Julius Stecker: What do you think will be the deciding factor in this fight?

Jose Antonio Rivera: I am a strong fighter, and I think it will be tough for him to withstand my punching power.

Julius Stecker: You are heading into hostile territory in Germany next week, how are you going to handle that situation?

Jose Antonio Rivera: It won't effect me, when you are fighting for the world championship that stuff does not matter, in the ring it is going to be me and him and nobody else.

Julius Stecker: Moving away from boxing a little, what do enjoy doing in your spare time?

Jose Antonio Rivera: I enjoy spending time with my son, I am a single parent and I enjoy spending time with him. I like to spend time with my family, and friends, I also like to play board games, go to movies, and play basketball.

Julius Stecker: What kind of community work are you involved in?

Jose Antonio Rivera: I do a lot of community work. I serve on a board of directors of which feeds the hungry. I am on the board of directors for the Boy and Girls Club, and I am also involved in many other charitible groups in Worcester.

Julius Stecker: In closing what can the boxing world expect from you on September 13th?

Jose Antonio Rivera: Expect me to go in there and win the fight, and for me to fight the fight of my life.

TalkingBoxing.com would like to thank Jose Antonio Rivera for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk with us and we will be rooting for a big win on September 13th.