Rivera’s criticism of Ben Whittaker goes beyond pre-fight trash talk. Ahead of their light heavyweight clash in Brooklyn on Saturday night, the veteran contender questioned whether the undefeated British star has truly earned his growing reputation, arguing that Whittaker has been closely matched throughout his professional career.
“I don’t think Whittaker is as good as people think he is,” Rivera said The Ring when the match is booked. “His record looks good, but if you look closely, he really hasn’t fought anyone. His handlers know what they’re doing. He has been spoiled his entire career. He’s just overhyped. He doesn’t hit me.”
Rivera’s comments touch on a criticism that has followed Whittaker since he turned professional after winning an Olympic silver medal in Tokyo. Despite his amateur pedigree and highlight reel knockouts, many observers believe that the opposition does not match the level of hype surrounding him.
That debate intensified in October 2024 when Whittaker faced Liam Cameron in what was widely regarded as his first significant Test. Prior to their rematch earlier this year, Cameron pushed Whittaker throughout the contest before the bout controversially ended after both men tumbled over the rope. Whittaker answered some of those questions by stopping Cameron in the opening round of the rematch in April, but Rivera believes Saturday will present a much sterner examination.
“The plan is to stop him,” Rivera said. “I know I have the power to do it. Is Whittaker tough? I’m not sure, but it doesn’t matter. If I don’t stop him, I plan to beat him round after round after round.”
While Whittaker enters the bout with back-to-back first-round knockouts, Rivera has been out of the ring since stopping Roger Guerrero in two rounds in January 2025. Rather than view the inactivity as a disadvantage, Rivera believes the extended wait will end with the biggest win of his career.
Whittaker (11-0-1, 8 KOs) and Rivera (27-2, 20 KOs) meet on the undercard of the unified junior middleweight title fight between Jaron Ennis and Xander Zayas at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. It will also be the 29-year-old Whittaker’s first professional fight in the United States.
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Last updated on 2026/06/25 at 10:12
