A 23-year-old boxer who looks like a young Muhammad Ali is aiming for another spectacular KO on Saturday
Photo by Esther Lin / Showtime
- Michel Rivera returns to the ring Saturday to box lightweight opponent Jose Matias Romero.
- Rivera is notable for delivering spectacular finishes and his uncanny likeness to Muhammad Ali.
- He hopes to score another devastating knockout this weekend on premium US network Showtime.
The 23-year-old boxer who looks like a young Muhammad Ali hopes to score yet another spectacular knockout when he returns to the ring Saturday.
Michel Rivera is one of boxing's upcoming fighters, possessing a fan-friendly fighting style and an uncanny likeness to one of the sport's greats thanks to his high-fade haircut, slender build, and white shorts with black trim.
In the Dominican boxer's most recent outing three months ago he delivered a spectacular finish against John Fernandez in California.
In that bout, Rivera outlanded his opponent in every round, scored multiple knockdowns, and closed the show in the eighth.
Rivera fights once again on the premium US network Showtime this weekend, and ahead of the fight against Jose Matias Romero at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, he has promised a finish just as devastating as the one in July.
"I plan on putting on a spectacular performance," Rivera told Boxing Scene this week.
The lightweight praised Romero, his opponent. "He is a good fighter with a good record but I am more than ready to win this fight," said Rivera.
"I believe that I am the superior fighter in every aspect but it is an interesting fight that I will win."
Rivera has an unblemished pro boxing record of 21 wins (14 knockouts). He competes in the red-hot 135-pound division, and is ranked inside the top-15 of all the major ranking organizations.
The fighter, who hopes to float like a butterfly and sting like Ali this weekend, will continue to hone in on a title shot should he add a 22nd win by scalping Romero.
Rivera, ranked second in the division by the WBA, could therefore be in line to challenge fellow Premier Boxing Champions stablemate Gervonta Davis, the WBA lightweight champion in the future.