Ben Whittaker vs Richard Rivera

This could be a good test for Whittaker, and possibly the smartest opponent he will have faced. The danger for Whittaker is Rivera’s strength and ambition. Rivera is not being brought in as a harmless opponent. He has been in with Badou Jack, carries respectable power, and will know this is his chance to spoil the British showman’s U.S. launch. But technically, Whittaker should have too much variety. His feet, angles, jab feints, and ability to punch off little half-steps should keep Rivera reaching and resetting.

The one question that remains about Whittaker is still: what happens when he is forced into a hard, ugly fight? Liam Cameron showed that Whittaker can be dragged into uncomfortable spells. Rivera will probably try to do the same by closing space, making it physical, and testing whether Whittaker wants ten rounds of pressure in America.

But I see Whittaker banking rounds early with cleaner work, making Rivera miss, then picking him off as the pace drops and forcing the stoppage.