Boxing News Hall of Fame writer Graham Houston takes a look at Ben Whittaker’s US debut against Richard Rivera this weekend and offers his best tips and prediction.
Ben Whittaker vs Richard Rivera Tips Preview
The Frank Sinatra classic New York, New York contains the line “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere.”
Britain’s unbeaten light-heavy Ben Whittaker will be seeking to make it in New York - as in making a big impression - when he meets veteran Richard Rivera on the Boots Ennis vs Xander Zayas undercard at Barclays Center, Brooklyn on Saturday.
Whittaker is a massive 1/20 favourite. It’s a fight that has been made for him to win and look good in so doing.
This isn’t a matter of whether Whittaker wins but how he wins.
Rivera, on paper, is a reasonable enough choice of opponent. He has a respectable 27-2 (20 KOs) record, he’s experienced and he's never been stopped.
But Rivera is 35. He’s boxed only once in the past two years and that was a KO win over an Ecuadorian set-up who had been stopped six times in his last seven appearances.
Still, Rivera is a good talker and quite a character. He calls himself 'Popeye The Sailor Man' and he acts out the part on his ring walk, with a sailor cap perched on his head and a corncob pipe clenched between his teeth. All that’s missing is a can of spinach.
As for his fighting prowess, Rivera did give an ageing Badou Jack a difficult fight four years ago, losing by split decision.
Rivera is what you could call awkwardly clever. He doesn’t do things by the textbook. Rivera tends to throw wide punches from unexpected angles.
It took Badou Jack several rounds to figure out Rivera and he needed a late surge to win the decision.
That competitive loss against a two-weight world champion is the highlight of Rivera’s career.
The object of the exercise for Whittaker, one supposes, will be to go one better than Badou and get Rivera out of the fight inside the scheduled 10 rounds.
Whittaker should be able to accomplish this.
The Olympic silver medallist has been in electrifying form lately, with three KO wins in a row.
This run of wins includes a second-round demolition of Liam Cameron in their rematch.
Whittaker, having struggled against Cameron first time around in their bizarre technical draw, was explosive when they ran it back.
His last three fights have showcased Whittaker’s potential. Criticised for clowning around in earlier bouts, Whittaker has been all business since hooking up with trainer Andy Lee.
Promoter Eddie Hearn believes that, at 29, Whittaker is ready to meet the very best at 175lbs. Names such as Dmitrii Bivol and Artur Beterbiev have been mentioned.
So it’s important that Whittaker gives a statement-like showing against Rivera.
Ben Whittaker vs Richard Rivera Tale of the Tape
Ben Whittaker | Richard Rivera | |
Record: | 11-0-1 (8 KOs) | 27-2 (20 KOs) |
Age: | 29 | 35 |
Birthplace: | West Bromwich, UK | Hartford, Connecticut, USA |
Height: | 6′ 3″ / 191cm | 6' 0″ / 183cm |
Stance: | Orthodox | Orthodox |
Last Fight: | Won (KO) vs Braian Nahuel Suarez (Apr 2026) | Won (KO) vs Roger Guerrero (Jan 2025) |
KO%: | 72.73% | 74.07% |
Alias: | 'The Surgeon' | 'Popeye The Sailor Man' |
Ben Whittaker vs Richard Rivera Top Tips
Whittaker has exhibited speed, power and athleticism in his last three fights.
A routine decision win over Popeye Rivera would, then, be considered a disappointment.
While Rivera has an unconventional style he isn’t fast and he isn’t powerful - his stoppage wins have almost all come against opponents of lowly repute.
I don’t see why Whittaker can’t look really good in this spot, and I believe the under 6.5 rounds proposition at 4/5 offers value.
If Whittaker does what he’s supposed to do - and I think he will - this fight should be over inside six and a half rounds.
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
