After fighting three times in 2021, Michel Rivera (23-0) hopes to have a similarly active 2002 campaign.
The rising lightweight contender kicked off the year with a unanimous decision victory over the previously unbeaten Joseph Adorno (14-1-2) in Minneapolis.
Rivera is ranked in the top 15 by all 4 major sanctioning bodies and hopes to fight for a title in his next fight.
Devin Haney currently is the undisputed champion in the lightweight division while Gervonta “Tank” Davis holds the secondary WBA world lightweight title. If Rivera had it his way, he would face one of them in his next ring appearance.
“I hope to fight again soon. Tank is a good fighter without a doubt but I am 23-0 and I feel like I am the best fighter in the world because I work (in the gym) like the best fighter in the world,” Rivera told BoxingScene.com.
The Dominican Republic native has become impatient with his inability to land a fight against one of the division’s biggest names and just wants a chance to back up his bravado.
“I’ve been saying I’m the best but I haven’t been able to show that because I haven’t been given the opportunities that I deserve. I am here doing the work necessary. I am always in the gym and stay in shape and wait for an opportunity to arrive. I am sure I can beat Tank and I am sure I can beat Devin Haney. They are both good but I am better and I will prove it,” said Rivera.
Rivera’s 3 wins last year included knockouts of Jon Fernandez and Anthony Mercado.
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