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Jose Rivera
The Contender with the Biggest Heart Photos by Ray Bailey Boxing fans are the greatest fans in the world. Us fighters get to do something we love to do and because of the fans we get paid for it. What more can you ask for?
A genuinely polite and friendly person to talk to outside the ring, Rivera has become adept at hiding the aggressiveness that has led him to the brink of a title shot. True to his kind nature, after 39 career fights, 35-3-1 (23), the current NABA welterweight champion continues to wait patiently for his big chance while other, less deserving contenders streak past him to their run for glory.
El Gallo means The Rooster in Spanish and Rivera says his boyhood involvement in cockfighting is what helped him pattern his mentality as a fighter. I used to raise roosters when I was younger in Puerto Rico. Anyone who knows anything about roosters knows they fight. They fight until the very end when one of them dies or they cant take it anymore. I have that mentality in my fights. I go there to give it my all.
The Philadelphian turned Puerto Rican turned Worchesters model citizen wasnt headed for immortality as a kind and giving soul until boxing helped straighten him out. The former gang member says that the passing of his mother sent him in the wrong direction as a younger man. My mom passed away when I was 10 years old. After that I was getting into a lot of trouble and running with a gang. My life turned around when I got into boxing.
Now 28 and the proud father of Anthonee (8), Rivera waits patiently for his day in the sun while he brings some light to so many others.
Tell me about the work you do in
your community.
I have a program that Im involved with called the 21st Century Program. Its a program where I work with gang members in Massachusetts and the police to try and get the kids to straighten out. Gang life is a tough life and a lot of struggle and I try to give these kids a reality check. I tell them that no matter how hard life is, if you work hard and stay in school and never give up you can be successful. I try to give them an inspirational talk.
Im also involved with the boys and girls club, and I just got inducted into the boys and girls club hall of fame a week ago. That was great, it gave me a great feeling that people are watching what Im doing. Im also involved with a kids caf program where we feed hungry kids twice a week. Were trying to push that to four or five times a week.
Are you excited that your current winning streak has you climbing the world ratings steadily? The way I look at it, Im so close, but yet so far. Until somebody calls and says this champion wants to fight you, Ill still be waiting for my shot. Its frustrating because we dont seem to be getting those phone calls. My manager Nick Garone has done a great job of getting me this far, if it wasnt for Nick I wouldnt even be here, but I want a shot at the world championship. Id even be happy fighting top ten guys that would give me some more notoriety, but they dont seem to want to fight.
Does it frustrate you when other fighters get opportunities because of their name while youve had forty fights and are still waiting for your first shot? I try not to envy others successes. If you can be successful, however you do it, more power to you. As long as you work hard and give a good effort, thats great. Im happy for other fighters successes. I cant wait until I get my big opportunity.
Will your son Anthonee ever be a
boxer?
He wants to, but Im pushing education and to keep him out of trouble. If it happens, it happens Im not going to push it.
What would you like to say to the
boxing world?
Id like to say to the fans that I am very grateful for their patience with the sport. Boxing gets a lot of black eyes and a lot of boxers do things to better their careers, but they hurt boxing doing it. Boxing fans are the greatest fans in the world. Us fighters get to do something we love to do and because of the fans we get paid for it. What more can you ask for? |
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For the Complete Professional Record of Jose Rivera, please click on the logo below:
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