Richard “Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera strong to finish because he eats his Spinach

Published by Shawn C.

WORCESTER, Mass. (January 8, 2018) – One of the most popular New England
boxing prospects, undefeated Hartford (CT) light heavyweight *Richard
“Popeye The Sailor Man” Rivera* (5-0, 4 KOs), will headline his third show
Saturday night, February 10, at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.

In the fifth installment of the “New England’s Future” series, presented by
Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE), the 27-year-old Rivera meets *Kevin
“KRAY 2 UNKL” Cobbs* (10-2, 4 KOs), fighting out of Burlington (VT), for
the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) New England title in the
eight-round main event.

Rivera, who was a 2016 Rocky Marciano Tournament champion, is coming off a
sensational second-round knockout of 146-fight veteran *Roberto
Valenzuela* this
past December 9 in Hampton, New Hampshire.

“I am excited to have Richie boxing for the UBF New England title so early
in his pro career,” said promoter *Jose Antonio Rivera*, the retired
3-time, 2-division world champion. “This is the third time we’ve had the
privilege of him fighting on one of our cards. He fought in the main event
of our last show (Oct.) at the DCU Center. Rivera looks better and sharper
every time I watch him fight. I see big things coming for him. He has the
tools and discipline a trainer looks for and a boxer needs to become world
champion. The sky is the limit for Richard and, for now, we’re grateful to
play a small part to help develop his professional career.”

Rivera has successfully marketed his Popeye persona during his young pro
boxing career, wearing a sailor’s cap into the ring with a traditional
Popeye-like pipe dangling in his mouth. “There are several reasons for my
nickname, ‘Popeye’, but when I was very young,” Rivera explained, “I had
abnormally large forearms. It just stuck with me through the years, when
people referred to me in the gym, so I’ve run with it. I’m bringing life
back to Hartford with patience, all over New England, with patience,
perseverance, and style. I live in the moment.”

Although he didn’t win many major awards or tournaments as an amateur
boxer, Rivera gained invaluable experience boxing many of the best amateurs
in New England and in national events, as well as sparring with the likes
of former world champions *Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin*, *Chad Dawson*
and *Joe Smith, Jr*. He also learned from time spent in the ring with
former title challengers Israel *”Pito” Cardona* and *John Scully*.

“I took my time turning pro because I didn’t have a support system to get
me to the next level,” Rivera noted. “I was insecure. The positive feedback
I received from fighters I sparred fed into my confidence. Now, in only my
sixth pro fight, I will be headlining for the third time and fighting for
my first title. I can’t thank the Riveras (Jose and his son, A.J.) enough
for what they’ve done for me. They’ve believed in me.”

At first, Rivera was somewhat reluctant to fight the more experienced Cobb
but, after doing some research, he accepted the challenge. “I was a little
nervous at first,” he admitted. “Some were questioning if I was ready to
step up to fight him. I did some research: he didn’t have a bigger amateur
career or fought more six or eight rounds fights than me. And I was the
sparring partner for the first pro to beat him, *Tyron Burris* (TKO2 in
2012). I’m ready! I’m 27 and need a fight like this.”

Worcester’s two-time national amateur champion *Bobby “BH3” Harris, III* meets
Brazilian middleweight *Saul Almeida* (0-8-1) in the four-round co-featured
event.

Fighting on the undercard, all in four-round bouts, are rising New Haven
(CT) super middleweight prospect *Elvis Figueroa* (3-0, 1 KO), a three-time
USA Boxing Nationals Championship gold medalist, vs. TBA, Worcester
featherweight *Ranse Andino* (1-0) vs. *Alex Montes* (1-2-1), of Lawrence
(MA), Danbury (CT) welterweight *Omar Bordoy, Jr.* (2-0) vs. Puerto Rican
invader *Alexander “El Bravo” Picot* (2-4-1), Southbridge (MA
)
welterweight *Wilfredo “El Sucaro” Pagan* (3-0, 1 KO) vs. pro-debuting *Nick
Peralta*, of Lawrence, undefeated Springfield (MA) light heavyweight *Ray
“Bazooka” Graceski* (5-0, 3 KOs). vs. Hartford’s pro-debuting *Paul
Bansiak,*Hartford junior middleweight *Jose “Rated R” Rivera* (4-1, 3 KOs)
vs. *Troy “Omar KO Artist” Artis* (4-7-1 (3 KOs), Springfield
welterweight *Derrick
“Double Impact” Whitley* (2-0) vs. *Roger Blankenship* (1-2), undefeated
Puerto Rican middleweight *Jelame Garcia* (6-0, 6 KOs) vs. Brazilian *Rodrigo
Almeida* 1-7), Meriden (CT) bantamweight *James Aquino* (6-0, 6 KOs), 2016
New England Golden Gloves champion, vs. *Luis Rivera* (3-3) and Hartford’s
pro-debuting welterweight *Joseph Goss* vs. *Seth Basler* (0-3).