Oscar Rivas: record, next fight and profile →
Ahead of Efe Ajagba's heavyweight bout against Charles Martin on February 15 we examine the division to identify the chances of established fighters succeeding in their ongoing quests to win a title
Boxing fans are officially one sleep away from the dawning of a new era in the bridgerweight division. Lukasz Rozanski and Alen Babic both made weight for their globally anticipated vacant WBC bridgerweight title fight, which takes place Saturday on Sky Sports from G2A Arena in Rzeszow, Poland. The locally based Rozanski was 222 ¼ pounds, while Croatia’s Babic tipped the scales at a trim and fit 210 ¾ pounds.
The bridgerweight division is poised to crown a new king. BoxingScene.com has confirmed that the WBC has ordered a vacant title fight between Croatia’s Alen Babic and Poland’s Lukasz Rozanski. The need for the fight arose when Oscar Rivas relinquished the title upon announcing his retirement due to a detached retina.
Stephan Shaw has accepted a more daunting assignment than he had for January 14. St. Louis’ Shaw was scheduled to box unbeaten Italian heavyweight prospect Guido Vianello in ESPN’s 10-round co-feature that night at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. BoxingScene.com has learned, though, that Shaw instead has agreed to replace injured Oscar Rivas in the 10-round main event versus Efe Ajagba.
An interesting heavyweight fight scheduled for January 14 was scrapped Wednesday. Quebec-based promoter Yvon Michel announced on Twitter that the contender he represents, Oscar Rivas, suffered an eye injury while sparring recently. On the advice of his doctor, Rivas withdrew from his 10-round fight against Efe Ajagba, which was scheduled for January 14 in Verona, New York.
The Top Rank on ESPN 2023 slate kicks off with a high-powered heavyweight doubleheader Saturday, Jan. 14, at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. The 10-round main event is a battle of big-punching Olympians, as Efe “The Silent Roller” Ajagba looks to author a signature win over Oscar “Kaboom” Rivas. In the 10-round co-feature, 2016 Italian Olympian Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello takes a seismic step up in class against fellow unbeaten Stephan “Big Shot” Shaw.
The annual WBC convention has once again managed to provide plenty of drama with its series of ordered fights in each weight division. Whether all, most or even some of those sanctioned bouts actually see the light of day is another story.
Heavyweight Oscar Rivas has been out of the ring for nearly a year, but not out of his own volition, according to the boxer. Rivas, the Montreal-based Colombian who holds the WBC “Bridgerweight” title, has not fought since October of last year, when he defeated Ryan Rozicki by unanimous decision. Things, however, went haywire from there.
Swiss cruiserweight Benoit Huber (8-2) is the new opponent for Danish heavyweight Kem Ljungqvist (13-0) on September 16 in Nykobing Falster (Denmark). Huber steps in for South African Chris Thompson, who got injured in training.
Oscar Rivas’ dream of defending a major title in his birth country is officially on hold. BoxingScene.com has confirmed that Rivas’ planned WBC Bridgerweight title defense versus Poland’s Lukasz Rozanski has been postponed. The bout was due to headline an August 13 show at Estadio Pascual Guerrero in Cali, Colombia. However, on-site issues beyond the control of GYM [Groupe Yvon Michel] Promotions to move off the date with hopes of rescheduling in September.