Banking on Ben and “Spinach” Rich
Oh what a night plus an extraordinary fight in the light heavyweight division as undefeated British prospect Ben Whittaker, WBC Silver Light Heavyweight Champion, and American Richard Rivera got irked at a pressing engagement, ahead of their clash at Brooklyn’s iconic Barclays Center.
Handsome Ben, known for his flamboyant showman style inside and outside the ring, will make his highly anticipated debut splash on American soil and he wasted no time eliciting some cutting yet modest intentions:
“On Saturday, we are going to chop him to pieces,” the Brit declared. “I’m taller, I’m faster, I have a better IQ, and I’m probably better looking too. It’s going to be a surgical beating; if he comes forward, I’m going to catch him, and if he moves back, I’m going to dismantle him as well.”
Ahoy! In the opposite corner, Richard Rivera arrives with the underdog label, but with ironclad anchored confidence. True to his theatrical style, Rivera has adopted his “Popeye the Sailor” persona throughout the week and is determined to sink Ben, by making him walk the plank.
“I’ve been doing this my whole life, and it’s about time all that hard work pays off,” Rivera earnestly stated. When questioned about his strategy and tactics, he came and went straight to the point: “Plan A is to knock him out. Plan B is simply to give him a beating.” Ouch!
This clash of contrasting styles and flattening egos, will be part of the flattering undercard supporting the explosive bout between Xander Zayas and Jaron “Boots” Ennis. While Whittaker looks to consolidate his image as one of boxing’s great global prospects, Rivera knows that a victory would completely change the course of his career at 175 pounds.
The table is set in Brooklyn: a charismatic undefeated cheeky chappie against an irritable sailor challenger. Will wit and percussion be able to deliver on his surgical promise, or will Popeye deliver an eye popping performance?
Ben Whittaker weighed in at 174.4 pounds, while Richard Rivera came in at 173.8 pounds.