In a pivotal moment of his career, Michel Rivera faced Frank Martin but unfortunately didn't live up to the expectations. While Rivera had the confidence and bravado leading up to the fight, it was Martin who shone at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, dominating with his power and strategy. To add salt to Rivera’s wounds, he subsequently failed a drug test, leading to a six-month suspension. This period away from the ring provided Rivera, now 24-1 with 14 KOs, an opportunity to reflect and reassess his career direction.
Rivera’s introspection led to a decision to explore the 140-pound weight category. However, he expressed his ongoing interest in the 135-pound division, signaling his intention to remain flexible depending on the opportunities. Rivera mentioned to Thaboxingvoice, “If I can get the big fights at 140 then I’ll be at 140 but I still want to fight some names at 135.”
While Rivera is tight-lipped about his comeback opponent, he promises it won't be an easy matchup. With an overarching ambition of capturing a world title, Rivera seems undeterred by the challenges that the 140-pound division presents. A possible future clash with the formidable IBF titleholder Subriel Matias is particularly enticing to Rivera. Matias, known for his knockout prowess, may be a hurdle, but Rivera is undeterred, stating, “I like this fight. He’s a world champion. I have to be a world champion.”
Image Credit: Premier Boxing Champions