Oscar RIvas begins run to title challenge

[oogiebe]

Seems Kaboom is upping his fight schedule. Think he's trying to make a name while he's prime and his eyes aren't broken. Fighting one month after last bout.

(serious) Thoughts?

[Mexi-Box]

Guy's only hope is to become relevant. He's been irrelevant in the division, and his only chance was when it was weak and the belts were scattered. Now, the division is not only tied up, but it'll soon get a lot stronger with the prospects peaking. He's screwed. He has a chance against Wilder, but he's not beating Joshua.

[Best Coast]

Guy's only hope is to become relevant. He's been irrelevant in the division, and his only chance was when it was weak and the belts were scattered. Now, the division is not only tied up, but it'll soon get a lot stronger with the prospects peaking. He's screwed. He has a chance against Wilder, but he's not beating Joshua.

I agree. After feasting on scrubs for the better part of 9 years as a pro I think Rivas' ship has sailed. All he's got now is a "0" in the loss column and a level of competition well below what it takes to prepare him for a serious world title shot. If he takes any fights risky enough to legitimately prepare him for a shot he could lose the "0" as well. He's been spinning his wheels far too long so he can only blame his handlers or himself.

[oogiebe]

He's picking up the pace of bouts. I'm just thinking they are trying just that...to be relevant.

[Best Coast]

He's picking up the pace of bouts. I'm just thinking they are trying just that...to be relevant.

Personally I like the guy and would love to see Colombia added to the list of countries that have produced HW boxing world champs. I just dont think there is very much LIKELIHOOD of that happening.

[oogiebe]

He's picking up the pace of bouts. I'm just thinking they are trying just that...to be relevant.

Personally I like the guy and would love to see Colombia added to the list of countries that have produced HW boxing world champs. I just dont think there is very much LIKELIHOOD of that happening.

The man can hit. Too bad if his management team didn't do the job. I watch him anyway.

[Lackeos]

Man, fighting TBA. That's going to get you a title shot real fast. Where do the sanctioning bodies currently rank TBA? Oscar Rivas still hasn't fought any top 100 opponents (give or take Joey Abell, who rose up the ranks afterward), so he's really not very close.

[funso banjo baby]

the quality of opp has been really poor.

he can build a Wilder record and maybe get a shot but atm his record suggests his team don't want him to fight anyone who has a pulse.

[oogiebe]

Man, fighting TBA. That's going to get you a title shot real fast. Where do the sanctioning bodies currently rank TBA? Oscar Rivas still hasn't fought any top 100 opponents (give or take Joey Abell, who rose up the ranks afterward), so he's really not very close.

12 - 18 month process if his handlers are really planning this out. We'll see what happens against the dreaded "TBO."

[oogiebe]

the quality of opp has been really poor.

he can build a Wilder record and maybe get a shot but atm his record suggests his team don't want him to fight anyone who has a pulse.

Lots of fighters do "the buildup." I'm just curious if he is going to make one run for a shot. He can hit, but we don't know if he can contend.

[funso banjo baby]

in todays era a build up of over 20 bums is a bit suspicious and starts to look like Faruk Saleem or David Rodriquez

leaving that aside the obvious comment is that at 6ft he is going to struggle against some of the seasoned and much taller ones.

his head is always leading...going to get a Mansour-style cut loss before too long.

[oogiebe]

in todays era a build up of over 20 bums is a bit suspicious and starts to look like Faruk Saleem or David Rodriquez

leaving that aside the obvious comment is that at 6ft he is going to struggle against some of the seasoned and much taller ones.

his head is always leading...going to get a Mansour-style cut loss before too long.

And a noteworthy short reach at 76.5", but again, he can thwack.

[SportsRatings]

He was about to start stepping it up a few years ago but had visa issues getting to the U.S. I think.

Hopefully we can see him against someone decent pretty soon. No reason he can't fight an Andy Ruiz or Christian Hammer and go from there if things go well.

[Mexi-Box]

He was about to start stepping it up a few years ago but had visa issues getting to the U.S. I think.

Hopefully we can see him against someone decent pretty soon. No reason he can't fight an Andy Ruiz or Christian Hammer and go from there if things go well.

I think he couldn't fight because of his eye issues. Not sure if it's the same conflict, but the guy just can't seem to get fights. He should probably go with Hammer for now. Ruiz is a bridge too far.

[oogiebe]

He was about to start stepping it up a few years ago but had visa issues getting to the U.S. I think.

Hopefully we can see him against someone decent pretty soon. No reason he can't fight an Andy Ruiz or Christian Hammer and go from there if things go well.

Kind of reminds me of Shavers. (no one has quite that power).

[TheBeast]

GYM expected his last fight to put him in the top10... It's their usual way to sneak up in the TOP15 and then land a BIG fight

[oogiebe]

So I feel somewhat vindicated on a title run (good or bad) idea for Rivas. His next fight is against journeyman Herve Hubeaux who took Agit Kabayel to 12 rounds. Should be an interesting step. Rivas the next Shavers I'll reiterate!

[jamamb]

wilder would smoke this guy. i fear for rivass retinas

this dude has the opposition of a prospect, hes moved at a snails pace. crazy slow progression for an olympian whose been pro almost 10 years

[oogiebe]

wilder would smoke this guy. i fear for rivass retinas

this dude has the opposition of a prospect, hes moved at a snails pace. crazy slow progression for an olympian whose been pro almost 10 years

That's why I use Shavers as an example for him. He's not that experienced despite his age, with regards to tougher opponents. But I'll say it again. He can downright thud.

[candyslim]

I won't criticise because I know his progress has been hampered to a greater or lesser extent by his eye problems, but how exactly does opponent TBA suggest the beginning of a run to a title challenge?

[oogiebe]

I won't criticise because I know his progress has been hampered to a greater or lesser extent by his eye problems, but how exactly does opponent TBA suggest the beginning of a run to a title challenge?

TBA is now Herve Hubeaux who took Agit Kabayel to 12 rounds

[candyslim]

Thanks for that Oogie. Hubeaux is a step up definitely. Well it's a start I guess.

There are some potentially good opponents in Canada ... Miljas, Kean, Teslenko but the problem with tackling fellow hot prospects, is that for both protagonists the risk/ reward ratio is unfavourable.

Much better fight Hubeaux, then maybe someone like Hammer, or maybe even renew his acquaintance with Kubrat Pulev if he isn't tied up with Dillian Whyte, assuming Pulev is still interested in an opponent with a heartbeat these days.

[oogiebe]

Thanks for that Oogie. Hubeaux is a step up definitely. Well it's a start I guess.

There are some potentially good opponents in Canada ... Miljas, Kean, Teslenko but the problem with tackling fellow hot prospects, is that for both protagonists the risk/ reward ratio is unfavourable.

Much better fight Hubeaux, then maybe someone like Hammer, or maybe even renew his acquaintance with Kubrat Pulev if he isn't tied up with Dillian Whyte, assuming Pulev is still interested in an opponent with a heartbeat these days.

I agree...think Hubeaux is a mild step maybe to test the waters. We'll see what happens. I'm sure another fight for Rivas will be scheduled before the Hubeaux fight is done.

[Lackeos]

So I feel somewhat vindicated on a title run (good or bad) idea for Rivas. His next fight is against journeyman Herve Hubeaux who took Agit Kabayel to 12 rounds. Should be an interesting step. Rivas the next Shavers I'll reiterate!

Herve Hubeaux is a lot better than TBA.

[oogiebe]

So I feel somewhat vindicated on a title run (good or bad) idea for Rivas. His next fight is against journeyman Herve Hubeaux who took Agit Kabayel to 12 rounds. Should be an interesting step. Rivas the next Shavers I'll reiterate!

Herve Hubeaux is a lot better than TBA.

That guy is everywhere. Must be a large family of TBA's! LOL!