Michel Rivera Explained

Michel Rivera
Real Name:Michel Rivera Medina
Nickname:La Zarza Ali[1]
Weight:Lightweight
Height:5 ft 8 in
Reach:71 in
Nationality:Dominican
Birth Date:March 10, 1998
Birth Place:Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Style:Orthodox
Boxrec:752024
Total:26
Wins:25
Ko:14
Losses:1

Michel Rivera Medina, commonly known as "La Zarza Ali", is a Dominican professional boxer who has held the IBF–USBA lightweight title since 2020.

Professional career

Rivera made his professional debut on 19 March 2016, just 9 days after his 18th birthday, scoring a third-round technical knockout (TKO) victory against Gregory Estevez at the Gimnasio Pedro Cruz in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.[2]

After compiling a record of 15–0 (10 KOs), he made his U.S. debut in June 2019, defeating then-unbeaten René Téllez Girón via eight-round unanimous decision (UD) at the WinnaVegas Casino Resort in Sloan, Iowa.[3]

His next fight came against Jose Luis Gallegos in September. At the pre-fight weigh in, Gallegos failed to weigh inside the 136 lbs weight limit and was subsequently fined $1600 by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC), with half going to Rivera and the other half to the CSAC. Rivera won the bout via fifth-round TKO after referee Marcos Rosales called a halt to the contest before the commencement of the sixth round. After the fight, Rivera visited Gallegos in his dressing room to return the $800 he gained from the fine.[4]

He next faced Fidel Maldonado Jr for the vacant WBC Continental Americas lightweight title on 1 February 2020, at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. After knocking his opponent to the canvas in the tenth round, Rivera followed up with a sustained attack which prompted referee Keith Hughes to call a halt to the contest, handing Rivera his first regional title via tenth-round TKO.[5]

Rivera won his second regional title in his next bout, defeating Ladarius Miller via ten-round UD on 31 October, capturing the vacant IBF–USBA lightweight title at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.[6]

Rivera fought thrice in 2021. In his first fight of the year, on 27 February 2021, Rivera faced Anthony Mercado Raices.[7] He won the fight by a late eight-round knockout. Five months later, on 3 July 2021, Rivera knocked out Jon Fernandez in the eight round of a twelve round bout.[8] Rivera finished the year with a unanimous decision win against Jose Matias Romero on 30 October 2021.[9]

Rivera defeated Joseph Adorno via ten-round UD on 26 March, 2022 at the Minneapolis Armory in Minneapolis, USA.[10]

Michel Rivera suffered the first defeat of his professional career, losing by unanimous decision to Frank Martin on 17 Dec, 2022 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Chelsea Ballroom in Las Vegas, USA. Rivera who dressed like his idol Muhammad Ali, was floored in round 7 by Frank Martin en route to the defeat.[11] Rivera rebounded on 25 Nov 2023, defeating former IBF light welterweight champion Sergey Lipinets by unanimous decision.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
27Win26–1Hugo Alberto Roldan10Jul 27, 2024
26Win25–1 Sergey LipinetsUD10Nov 25, 2023
25Loss24–1 Frank MartinUD12Dec 17, 2022
24Win24–0 Jerry PerezUD8Oct 15, 2022
23Win23–0 Joseph AdornoUD10Mar 26, 2022
22Win22–0 Jose Matias RomeroUD10Oct 30, 2021
21Win21–0 Jon FernandezKO8 (12), Jul 3, 2021
20Win20–0 Anthony Mercado RaicesKO8 (8), Feb 27, 2021
19Win19–0 Ladarius MillerUD10Oct 31, 2020
18Win18–0 Fidel MaldonadoTKO10 (10), Feb 1, 2020
17Win17–0 Jose Gallegos5 (8), Sep 21, 2019
16Win16–0 Juan Rene TellezUD8Jun 26, 2019
15Win15–0 Carlos Daniel CordobaTKO2 (8), Jan 26, 2019
14Win14–0 Yankiel LeónTKO8 (10), Jul 16, 2018
13Win13–0 Jampier OsesTKO7 (8), Feb 24, 2018
12Win12–0 Manuel BotisUD8Dec 22, 2017
11Win11–0 Luis Ernesto JoseTKO2 (8)Sep 14, 2017
10Win10–0 Luis RosaTKO1 (6), Jun 24, 2017
9Win9–0 Marco AcevedoUD10May 22, 2017
8Win8–0 Luis NinoTKO4 (8), Dec 16, 2016
7Win7–0 Juan Rafael PolancoUD6Sep 23, 2016
6Win6–0 Juan Carlos ContrerasUD4Jun 11, 2016
5Win5–0 Aneudy MesaTKO1 (6), May 26, 2016
4Win4–0 Dionisio RodriguezTKO2 (4), Apr 17, 2016
3Win3–0 Jose Vidal Sanchez4Apr 9, 2016
2Win2–0 Eduardo JuanTKO2 (4), Apr 2, 2016
1Win1–0 Gregory Estevez3 (4), Mar 19, 2016

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rivera . Michel . Boxing Rec: Nickname . boxrec.com . Boxing Rec. September 1, 2022.
  2. Web site: BoxRec: Michel Rivera vs. Gregory Estevez. 21 April 2021. BoxRec.
  3. Web site: Idec. Keith. 21 June 2019. Michel Rivera Drops, Out-Points Rene Tellez-Giron On 'ShoBox' - Boxing News. 21 April 2021. www.boxingscene.com.
  4. Web site: 24 September 2019. Boxer GIVES BACK weight fine money after battering veteran opponent. 21 April 2021. World Boxing News.
  5. Web site: Donovan. Jake. 1 February 2020. Michel Rivera Breaks Down, Stops Fidel Maldonado in Ten - Boxing News. 21 April 2021. www.boxingscene.com.
  6. Web site: Idec. Keith. 31 October 2020. Michel Rivera Out-Points Ladarius Miller In 10-Rounder, Remains Unbeaten - Boxing News. 21 April 2021. www.boxingscene.com.
  7. Web site: Christ . Scott . Dirrell vs Davis: Michel Rivera to face Anthony Raices in FS1 prelim headliner . badlefthook.com . 3 February 2022 . 24 February 2021.
  8. Web site: Herriges . Jeremy . Michel Rivera KOs Jon Fernandez with one punch in round 8 (Video) . fansided.com . 3 February 2022.
  9. Web site: Idec . Keith . Michel Rivera Boxes Past Matias Romero For Unanimous Decision Win . boxingscene.com . 3 February 2022 . 30 October 2021.
  10. Web site: Michael. Rosenthal. 26 March 2022. Michel Rivera jabs his way to an easy victory over Joseph Adorno - Boxing News. 19 Dec 2022. www.boxingjunkie.usatoday.com.
  11. Web site: Michael. Benson. 19 Dec 2022. LOOKALIKE Boxer Michel Rivera, dressed as Muhammad Ali, is floored by Frank Martin as he suffers first defeat of career - Boxing News. 19 Dec 2022. www.talksport.com.