1996-04-12 Pernell Whitaker w pts 12 Wilfredo Rivera, Atlantis Casino, St Maarten, Dutch Antilles - WBC

1996-04-12 Pernell Whitaker w pts 12 Wilfredo Rivera, Atlantis Casino, St Maarten, Dutch Antilles - WBC. Referee: Larry O’Connell. Scorecards: 116-111, 115-113, 112-115. Although he dominated early on this was a poor performance by the champion as Rivera (147) gave him problems when switching from orthodox to southpaw and finishing the stronger. Following a clash of heads in the third round, Whitaker (147) was left with a swelling over the left eye and Rivera with a cut on his forehead, and as the fight wore on the latter began to catch the champion with solid blows without ever giving him grief. However, it was not a great performance by Whitaker’s high standards and the eye damage obviously concerned him, but he made sure of winning by just doing enough.