Promoter Oswaldo Rivero Reportedly Beaten, Robbed

By Jake Donovan

Argentine boxing promoter and manager Oswaldo Rivero was reportedly beaten and robbed in a highway assault, according to breaking news from Cadena 3 News in Argentina.

The longtime manager was with two travel companions en route to Santa Fe for the pre-fight weigh-in leading up to Friday’s super flyweight title fight rematch between incumbent champ Omar Narváez and Mexico’s Felipe Orucuta. Driving along National Route A012, Rivero claims to have been stopped by a police roadblock.

Who exactly were the perpetrators is where the details get sketchy.

According to a report filed while being examined in a hospital, Rivero was stopped for allegedly driving a Porsche 4x4 at 180 Km/h (well over 100 MPH) on Buenos Aires-Rosario Highway, at which point the alleged troopers stole his keys and proceeded to beat him. The assaulters then swiped the vehicles contents, including a large sum of cash, according to a third party account from a truck driver who spotted a fleeing Rivero, bloodied and running down Route A012 before accepting the trucker’s assistance in seeking rescue and medical attention.

“At no time did I see a trooper, just a man who was running,” the driver, who wished to remain anonymous, told Cadena 3 News earlier Thursday afternoon . “He had the fighters’ purses in his car, and… that that he was on the way to delivering it (to the venue).”

It’s unclear whether the roadblock was created by design to stop a speeding Rivero, or a setup by thugs posing as troopers. According to Rivero’s own account of the event, it was actual police—of some sort—responsible for the ill deed.

“They were policeman. Even I can’t believe it,” Rivero told Cadena 3 News . “They were police, in uniform. Maybe not in the (traditional sense) but they were troopers. They had revolvers and pistols.”

Rivero claims the alleged police beat him with the butt of their weapons before stealing the bag of cash, which was supposed to go towards fight purses for the show, which airs live Friday evening from Anfiteatro Municipal in Cordoba, Argentina on TyC Sports.

The bout is a rematch to a hotly contested title fight last May, in which Orucuta (29-2. 24KOs) was believed to have won but forced to settle for a disputed split decision loss. The visiting challenger has since won two straight as he embarks on just the second road trip of his eight year career.

Narvaez (42-1-2, 23KOs) attempts the 11th defense of the super flyweight crown he acquired in vacant capacity more than four years ago. The lone loss of his career came in an ill-advised trip to bantamweight, where he stunk out Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York City in dropping a wide decision to then-champ Nonito Donaire in Oct. 2011.

Seven wins have followed, including the close call versus Orucuta last May. Narvaez, who also served as a flyweight titlist before moving up in weight in 2010, is coming off of a 4th round stoppage of Antonio Garcia this past May, in the same hosting venue as Friday’s rematch.

Rivero insists that—despite the horrific ordeal suffered earlier Thursday—all fighters will be paid, even if it means wiping out his own bank account.

“I know I’m going to go broke and it will take a long time to (financially) recover,” Rivero states. “I fought for my life (to escape); there is no greater price than death.”

It has yet to be confirmed whether the suspects were actual police or hijackers posing as law enforcement officials. No arrests have been made as this goes to publish.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as the Records Keeper for the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and a member of Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox