I’ve watched Rivas against Enguema and Jennings. He’s only 6 foot so obviously like Ruiz he’s used to being the smaller fighter and punching up. Despite his size he’s never (to my knowledge) been on the canvas. He maintains a good range, strong jab behind a high guard although he doesn’t seem to vary it much. He likes getting right inside that pocket, making himself even smaller, doesn’t really move his head or upper body much. He carrying big upper body mass though. He doesn’t seem to have huge power but if he lands he’ll put a fighter in big trouble. As the date gets closer, i’m getting more interested in this fight. Let’s not pretend that Rivas isn’t a cherry pick, he obviously is, but all the main heavyweights are at it so why not Whyte. Rivas as been chosen ‘stylistically’ because Whyte won’t have to chase him round the ring. He will meet Whyte head on and that suits Whyte as he loves throwing those short hooks. As we’ve seen many times before though, cherry picks can go wrong. I’ve gone against Whyte so many times in the past and he’s proven me wrong but I genuinely think this could be a banana skin. Rivas needs to be in the pocket but he’s not greedy with his success. He’s very tight and tucked in and doesn’t open up much. He shown against Jennings that he can be patient for 12 rounds. This is the big one for me...He likes throwing with his opponent and i think he can land quicker than Dillian. Who have people got?
Whyte for me Oscar will gas in the later rounds an leave himself wide open Too muscular to fight at a strong pace for 12 rounds The oxygen will be sapped from him Id **** myself if he wins however
See I’m like you have picked against Whyte many times and been proven wrong, I’ve seen Rivas a few times he’s strange fighter in some ways because even though he’s a pressure fighter sometimes he seems happy to coast in quite a few of his fight’s especially in the middle rounds. I think Whyte might look to box for quite a lot of the fight and I can see him trying and succeeding on walking Rivas onto hooks and counters. My head tells me Whyte on points with Whyte at one point dropping Rivas. Whytes gas tank is a problem though he finds it very hard to go at a good pace for 12 rounds that’s why I think he will look to box in the mid rounds.
Totally agree regarding his muscular physique going against him. Although i’ve noticed he seems quite conservative with his punch output.
I disagree with rivas being a cherry pick, i genuinely see this as a close fight with whyte being slight favorite
Literally do not care at all........ I would be surprised if it sells out nevermind does ppv numbers.... Why Whyte is on ppv anyway baffles me
Whyte’s ranked higher than him with 3 of the 4 main organisations. He’s an unknown (to the casual audience) quantity, doesn’t speak English...I see no reason to fight him other than keeping Whyte active and getting another ppv payday whilst waiting for a title shot. Like you though I see this being a close fight although I don’t believe Hearn would have thought that when he made the fight for him.
I'll be watching peoples responses closely, as so many have went against Whyte and been proven wrong many times. Going into this fight, Whyte will have all the physical advantages. Whyte has the diversity of attacks to put Rivas in trouble from various angles. The deciding factor will be who will be the most calculating, methodical and patient... and I believe it will be a battle of wits. Whyte is a smart fighter, and his maturity now allows him to pick his opponent apart with the utmost patience for 12 rounds whilst hurting his opponent in every round.... Rivas will fold.. and he won't make it to the 12th. He'll be too damaged before the 12th if Whyte shows up as he did against Chisora rematch. Whyte is too seasoned for Rivas, despite Rivas' skill and prowess.
Agree about the PPV. Unless he’s fighting another well known opponent I don’t think he’s anywhere near stand alone ppv at the moment. In fact, I don’t believe any of them are.
Rivas is a potential banana skin for whyte if he gets dragged into a dog fight. If that happens then we could have a shoot out and stoppage mids rounds but for who I’m split on. I like the fact that Rivas was down on the cards against Jennings and pulled that stoppage out at the end so his engine is a good one. Will whyte want to go go the distance? Then again Rivas is the smaller man but he’s been sparked out in the amateurs Yeah I’m looking forward to this one more than I was the browne fight
I like how you’ve stuck by whyte and defended him on the forum for quite some time now. I like whytes I’ll fight anyone attitude, I hope he finally gets his shot against wilder as he deserves it! Crazy how he’s been wbc no1 contender for 600 days now
Yeah man definitely - but regardless of what happens you can't deny Whyte always shows up to fight, regardless of WHO he fights, Chisora shows up for certain people... Whyte is one of the few guys who shows up all the time against everyone. Always exciting... loves to fight win or lose, just make memories.
