Boxing saved the life of Two-Division

World Champion "El Gallo" Jose Antonio

Rivera
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 05 Jun 2020

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 4, 2020) - Like many boxers, two-division world
champion "El Gallo" Jose Antonio Rivera credits boxing for saving his life.

"Absolutely," Rivera agreed. "After my mom passed away when I was 10 years old, I gave
up on life and my decision-making reflected that: hanging around with the wrong crowd
including gang members, consuming alcohol between the ages of 10 and 15. I was
definitely going in the wrong direction.

"I never thought I had a future until I started boxing. It's hard to say what I'd be doing if I
had never boxed, but by the way I was living, I'd probably be in jail or dead by now."

Born in Philadelphia, Rivera lived in Puerto Rico and Springfield, MA, prior to him moving to
Worcester, MA, where he met a man who helped change his life, Carlos Garcia, who was in
charge of a special boxing program at the Worcester Boys & Girls Club.

Rivera had started boxing at the age of 14 ½ in a basement with his friend, Felix Lopez. He
had fallen in love with boxing after watching Roberto Duran upset "Sugar" Ray Leonard in
their first fight. The young Puerto Rican-American specifically used his amateur boxing
experience to prepare for the professional ranks. Garcia, who is in the National Golden
Gloves Hall of Fame, put him in a novice match after only one amateur fight in order to put
Rivera on the fast track, because he understood that Rivera dreamed of becoming a world
champion as a professional. Rivera finished with a 35-15 amateur record, highlighted by a
bronze medal performance at the PAL Nationals.

"I never had big amateur aspirations but, of course, I wanted to win every fight I competed
in," Rivera said. "Once I didn't qualify for the Olympic Trials, my plan was to turn pro. I
didn't know how much the amateurs would groom me to be a successful professional boxer.
I'm glad I listened to my coaches, otherwise I would have turned pro earlier, because I
would get frustrated with the politics of the amateurs. I hated losing, but I hated losing
even more when I knew that I should have won. After three years together (with Garcia) in
the amateurs and gaining a great wealth of experience traveling all over New England, the
country and even fighting in Canada, I saw all types of styles and talented boxers that
helped me as a pro. Carlos is like a father figure to me and during all of our training and
travels, he was always in my head, building me up to become a good boxer, but also to help
me become a better man."

On November 7, 1992, Rivera made his pro debut, knocking out Francisco Mercedes in the
second round. He went on to win his first 23 pro bouts, including the Massachusetts State
welterweight title in 1995. His first pro loss was to veteran Philadelphia fighter Willie Wise
(20-3-4), who won a controversial 10-round split decision at Foxwoods Resort Casino in
Connecticut. Rivera had proven that he was more than a prospect in his first loss, losing a
close decision (98-95, 94-97, 94-96) to an opponent that upset Mexican icon Julio Cesar
Chavez (102-3-2) only three years later.

Showing the same resiliency that stayed with Rivera his entire career, two fights later
Rivera stopped Gilberto Flores in two rounds to capture the International Boxing
Organization (IBO) world welterweight championship. Rivera extended his new win streak to
seven, before losing back to back fights. Four fights later, though, Rivera registered his first
statement victory in 2001, knocking out Frankie Randall (55-10-1) in the 10th round to
retain his North American Boxing Association (NABA) crown in his first defense.

Now promoted by legendary Don King, Rivera traveled across the Atlantic Ocean in
September 2003 to Germany, where few Americans were able to win. Rivera proved early
that he meant business, dropping previously undefeated Michel Trabant in the second round
en route to winning a 12-round majority decision for the vacant World Boxing Association
(WBA). His reign, however, didn't last long. In his first defense, Rivera lost a 12-round split
decision at home in Worcester to challenger Luis Collazo (24-1)

Rivera moved up one weight class for his next fight, showing the resiliency that was a staple
during his career for his next fight, also at home, against WBA junior middleweight World
champion Alexandro Garcia (25-1).

In his next fight and first defense of his third world title, Rivera was stopped for the first
time in his pro career, by new champ Travis Simms (24-0), and then he was knocked out by
Daniel Santos (24-0) in round eight of their WBA junior middleweight title eliminator.

Rivera retired in 2008 only to make a comeback in 2001, after which he retired again until
returning for two fights in Worcester to complete his pro career with 50 fights, the last
coming at the age of 46.

"Jose's USA Boxing experiences shaped him into the man of character he is today, both in
and out of the ring," said Chris Cugliari, USA Boxing Alumni Director. "He took the road less
traveled for a world champion, and in doing so he showcased his toughness and
perseverance that made him a great example for today's USA Boxers."

Rivera was a true working world champion. Few world champions also had full-time jobs
during their title reigns. Rivera used vacation time, as well as personal and sick days, when
he went to training camp for some of his major fights.

"I always had a good work ethic growing up," he explained. "When I moved to Worcester at
16 years old, I lived by myself: school, work, and then to the Boys & Girls Club to train. I
kept the same work ethic I had at 19 when I turned pro. I became a father at 20, so
providing for my family was essential. Although it was hard, I knew boxing wasn't going to
last forever, and I was lucky enough to find a good job working for the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts Trial Courts. It made for long days when I was training, especially when I
was fighting for or defending my world championships. In the end, though, keeping my job
was the best decision I could have made for me and my family."

Rivera. who was an Associate Court Officer for years and promoted last year to Assistant
Chief Court Officer, is still involved in boxing. He and his oldest son, A.J. Rivera, own and
operate a boxing promotional company, Rivera Promotions Entertainment, to give young
fighters in his area opportunities to fight more often and at home. Jose occasionally drops
by the Boys & Girls Club to visit his former coaches, Garcia and Rocky Gonzalez, to support
their young talent. He also goes to his friend Kendrick Ball's gym, Camp Be Right, to give
young fighters there a few tips and to keep in shape (not for another comeback).

Jose Antonio Rivera will be best known for his toughness and determination, which led him
into a different life, including three world championships and a wonderful life he never would
have enjoyed.