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"It feels great to be a World Champion"
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Interview with Jose Antonio Rivera
TalkingBoxing: How does it feel to be a champ? How has the city of Worcester respoded to you?
Jose Antonio Rivera: It feels unbelievable. It feels great to be a World Champion. The city of Worcester, MA has been very happy for me and very supportive.
TalkingBoxing: You did what so many fighters fail to do, go over to Germany and beat a German fighter, how did you do the immpossible and how does it feel?
Jose Antonio Rivera: Thats just it, you cannot go into any fight thinking it is impossible to win. No matter who or where. I am very happy not just with the win but the way I was able to keep my self focused. This is what helped me win the fight. The fact that I kept my composure and stuck to the game plan. Not once did I ever go into the fight doubting myself.
TalkingBoxing: Over the course of your career, is there a fight that made you a better fighter?
Jose Antonio Rivera: I would have to say yes. Frankie Randall has a lot of experience and tremendous punching power. I know he was 39 at the time but he used everything he had in his bag of tricks to try to pull off the victory. Plus he had no respect for me whatsoever. He felt I was going to be no problem for him. I showed a lot of heart and determination and eventually wore him down.
TalkingBoxing: You are a recent signee with Don King, without him do you think you would ever be given a shot at a major title?
Jose Antonio Rivera: NO! The reason being is I have been pro for 11 years and no one showed any interest in getting me in position for the Championship. So far Don King and his staff have been very true to there word and I hope for a continuing long lasting working relationship.
TalkingBoxing: When does the Thomas Damgaard fight take place? What do you know about him if anything? Any chance it happens in the US?
Jose Antonio Rivera: I do not know yet. I do know that negotiations for the fight has started. I really do not know much about him. All I know is what I need to know and that is that he wants something I am not willing to give him and that is my Title. As far as the fight happening in the states, that is up to the my promoter Mr. King. He decides when and where the fight takes place and my job is to defend it no matter what. I will say that I would love for the fight to be here in the states.
TalkingBoxing:You fought at the Worcester Centrum before, would you want to defend your title there and is there a chance of that happening?
Jose Antonio Rivera: I would love to defend my title at the Worcester Centrum or the Centrum Centre, There is history there. Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard both fought there at seperate times and the shows were very successfull. Can you imagine if one of there own defends his World title there? I honestly do not know what are the chances of a fight happening there but like I mentioned before that is up to my Promoter Mr. King. I would also like to say that I would also love the opportunity to fight in Puerto Rico.
TalkingBoxing: You win this next fight with Damgaard and you are lined up for a shot at "super champ", Ricardo Mayorga, have you looked that far?
Jose Antonio Rivera: No. Right now the only person I will allow myself to look at is Thomas Damgaard. Since you asked though once I take care of bussiness I would like the winner of Mayorga and Spinks.
TalkingBoxing: Where do you fit among the 147-pound elite?
Jose Antonio Rivera: Right now I am just the WBA World Champion. I have not gotten the opportunity to show the world what I am capable of doing and where I rate. Personally though I put myself somewhere in the top five.
TalkingBoxing: Do you ever think about moving up to 154? Is it tough making 147 pounds?
Jose Antonio Rivera: Yes and Yes and I will leave it at that.
TalkingBoxing: Who is your favorite fighter?
Jose Antonio Rivera: If we are talking about a fighter of today it is Roy Jones. There is a rare occassion when a fighter as talented, quick and strong as Roy Jones comes along. I have seen many good fighters come along, but what seperates this man from the rest is that he has not relied solely on the talents that GOD has given him he works and trains very, very hard and that is what seperates good fighters from great fighters.
TalkingBoxing: Anything in closing you would like to add for your fans?
Jose Antonio Rivera: Thank you for your love and support. Thank you for hanging in there through the good times and bad. Thank you for your loyalty and for being proud of me for doing something that I love to do. Remember, Live by Faith not by Fear. Love you all.
TalkingBoxing would like to thank Jose Antonio Rivera for taking time out of his busy day to talk with us. We wish you the best of luck in your next fight, hopefully it will take place in the United States!