11.02.04 – WBA welterweight champion “El Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera’s first title defense April 17 will indeed be against former WBC & WBA welterweight title-holder Ricardo “The Matador” Mayorga at a site to be determined. The 30-year-old Rivera (37-3-1, 24 KOs) captured the WBA title last September by winning a 12-round decision from previously unbeaten (38-0) Michel Trabant in Berlin. Mayorga (26-4-1, 23 KOs) is coming off a majority decision loss to Cory Spinks this past December in their unification bout.
“I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this all of my career,” Rivera said. “I feel my time has come. I’m going to train like I’ve never trained before in my life to make sure I take advantage of this opportunity.” Rivera’s manager, Steve “Tank” Tankanow, added, “We’re ecstatic Mayorga finally has agreed to fight Jose. Mayorga is one of the best fighters in the world and we welcome the opportunity to knock him out once and for all.”
Jose Antonio Rivera Launches Fan Web Site
World Boxing Association welterweight champion “El Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera of Worcester, Mass., and Paid, Inc. (OTCBB: PAYDV) has announced the official launch of his personal fan web site. The launch follows on the heels of the award ceremony for the Young Leader Award, which Rivera received from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette on January 29 in Mechanics Hall. Boxing fans can visit the site at www.joseantoniorivera.com. In conjunction with the official launch, a wide selection of authenticated sports and collectibles items autographed by Rivera are available for purchase. Paid, Inc. designed the site, and will host and manage all product fulfillments for it.
The bilingual site in English and Spanish will keep fans abreast of Rivera’s (37-3-1, 24 KOs) efforts to defend his prestigious WBA welterweight title and move up in the ranks of the boxing world. The web site also details Rivera’s rise to the Championship, provides training tips, has a message board for fans to communicate, and keeps fans abreast of major boxing events.
Rivera is dedicated to helping underprivileged youths and has devoted a portion of his web site to the charities in which he is active, including the Worcester Boys and Girls Club and Y.E.S. to Success (Youth Education on Success), a program where he and members of the Worcester Police gang unit speak with school children about the importance of education, goal-setting, staying off drugs and out of gangs.
“Paid, Inc. transformed all the information we provided into a really classy, interesting web site,” said Jose Rivera. “I think the site illustrates to boxing fans that talent, determination and hard work can help anyone overcome obstacles. I’ve tried to leverage my success to help boys and girls at risk, and I hope this web site will serve to inspire young people to turn away from the lure of gangs to lead productive lives.”
“But beyond that, I think the site is a really fun way for fans to find out more about boxing and my approach to it,” Rivera added. “I especially like the fact that there is a message board where boxing fans can communicate with each other and that I can communicate with them when my schedule permits. This world-class web site helps raise the bar of professionalism for the entire boxing industry.”
The site’s dual languages are an important aspect of the site because they reflect Jose’s proud, multi-cultural heritage and enable his broad base of fans to choose the language they are most comfortable with for viewing the site.
“Paid, Inc. specializes in creating cutting-edge, professional web sites for some of the world’s top celebrities,” said Rob Riggieri, Paid, Inc. celebrity promotions director. “Our goal is to provide celebrities with web sites that evoke their unique personalities and styles, while eliminating the hassle involved in the design and maintenance of the site.”
“Jose has been absolutely wonderful to work with,” Riggieri remarked. “We sincerely hope that our work behind the scenes to handle web site maintenance and product fulfillment will free Jose to focus on his boxing career and serve as a positive role model for youths worldwide.”
Rivera captured the WBA title Sept. 14, after defeating previously unbeaten German boxer Michel Trabant (38-0, 18 KOs) in Berlin. Rivera rode a six-fight win streak into the Trabant match, including an NABA welterweight title fight decision in 12 rounds against Pat Byrd, as well as a pair of successful championship defenses versus former WBA & WBC light welterweight champ Frankie Randall (TKO10) and Bobby Heath (TKO6). Jose also holds a 10-round decision against current NABF welterweight champion Teddy Reid.