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05/07/2006 Archived Entry: "Rivera Rocks Garcia and Worcester"
Rivera Rocks Garcia, Worcester
Hometown Hero Wins Second World Title
By J. D. Vena at ringside
WORCESTER, MA – While on ring announcing duty for the undercard of last night’s Don King Productions 6-bout card, I decided to double-check the nicknames of the fighters. For most of his career, middleweight Randy Griffin, the Louisville slugger, has gone by the moniker, “The Gentleman.” Last night before wrapping his hands, he informed your writer (who was on double duty) that he’d like to be known as “Relentless and Ruthless.” He said simply, “Nice guys finish last. I want to be mean now.” It’s likely that his new tag didn’t bring him any luck in stopping Anibal Acevedo in six rounds, after applying what you could call relentless pressure, but intemperate demeanor had nothing to do with his victory. And if he learns from the example set by Jose “El Gallo” Rivera, he will discover that nice guys don’t necessarily finish last. Despite an unfortunate loss of his WBA welterweight title last year and plagued by injuries, Rivera won his second world title, the WBA jr. middleweight belt, by dumping Mexico’s Alex “Terra” Garcia five times en route to winning a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision at the DCU Center in his hometown of Worcester, MA.
Rivera, 152 ½, had been inactive for over a year, since losing his title to Brooklyn’s Luis Collazo by split decision at the same venue, but the effects of inactivity were not on display. Instead, Rivera looked the part of a well disciplined and relaxed professional. Rivera rocked the champion as early in the first round. A stiff jab from Rivera downed the two-time champ and the crowd of nearly 5,000 went into frenzy for the remainder of the bout.
The shocked Garcia, also 152 ½, was up immediately to listen to referee Dick Flaherty’s mandatory count but a minute later would taste the canvas again courtesy of Rivera’s opposite fist. Garcia appeared more hurt and rubbery legged from the punch and instead of moving forward, moved backwards and to Rivera’s left during most of the contest. Entering the bout, Garcia had scored 24 KO’s in his 25 victories and he did so coming forward. Now a one-time welterweight was taming the knockout artist.
“I have to give him credit,” said Garcia. “He fought like a Mexican tonight.”
The desperate Garcia got himself back into the fight in the fourth round when a series of low blows, which somehow went undetected by the reputable Flaherty, caused Rivera to move off the ropes and drop his hands. Garcia took advantage of Rivera’s defensive posture by pushing Rivera and hitting him with a right which dropped the granite chinned warrior for the first time in his career. Rather than show frustration or retaliate with fouls of his own, Rivera patiently went back to finding more openings.
The next big opening for Rivera was the 9th, when he landed a crisp left-right combo that dropped Garcia again. Garcia rose again only to be dropped by his cagey foe in the 10th round. For a moment, Garcia looked flat out on his back but gamely jumped to his feet before being counted out. Only a knockout, a familiar outcome for Garcia, would allow him to retain his title going into the 12th and final round but after some brutal exchanges by both fighters, Garcia was the one who would nearly suffer such an indignity. The final knockdown was courteous of a right hand from Rivera which dropped Garcia with less than 10 seconds to go in the frame. Immediately after dropping Garcia, Rivera ran to the neutral corner, jumped on the bottom rope and pumped his fist toward his jubilant fans. By the time Flaherty would allow the fight to resume, the fight was over. The final bell could not be heard as the crowd celebrated what appeared to be a sound victory.
The audience waited with baited breath before Jimmy Lennon, Jr. announced the scorecards. Though there seemed to be no doubt, the crowd had previously seen a questionable decision go to Nicaraguan IBF jr. bantamweight champ Luis Perez when he won a spirited split verdict over Russian Dimitri “Baby” Kirilov (115-113, 114-113 and 112-117) in the first Showtime doubleheader.
But Rivera would not be denied this time. Though he may have lost nearly as many rounds as he had won, the 10-8 rounds he was piling up was too great a margin despite his heroics for bouncing back to his feet. Judges Roland Milton and Leo Gerstel scored the fight 116-106 while Don O’Neill had it 114-107 all for Rivera.
The only thing left for Rivera to do is to earn a nice paycheck or two. In last three fights, “El Gallo” has engaged in some of the more exciting fights, particularly his last two wars at the DCU Center. Whether that paycheck will be the result of a big match-up with De La Hoya, Mosley, Vargas or some of the other big names of the division, being a gentleman hasn't hurt Rivera's method for sucess.
Promoter - Don King Productions
Network - Showtime Championship Boxing
Attendance - 4,858
Replies: 2 Comments on this article
Ice,
I had never been more impressed and more appreciative of Jose than that night. He was so poised before the opning bell. He had the look of a champion and kept his composure the entire despite everything that happened (the high # of low blows.
You and Jose must work really well together.
JD
Posted by JDVena@cyberboxingzone.com">Vena @ 05/09/2006 11:28 AM EST
It was GREAT to be a part of that night. Jose fought like a WARRIOR and willed his way to the big win
ICE
Posted by JOHN SCULLY @ 05/08/2006 10:00 PM EST
