Zab Judah Opponent Cosme Rivera Career Facts

Cosme Rivera:
Born on July 19, 1976, in Huatabampo, Mexico
Former IBA Americas, WBF, WBC Continental AmericasWelterweight Champion; Ex-WBO NABO, UBF International, Baja CaliforniaStateLight Welterweight Champion
Record: 28-7-2, 21 KOs

International Boxing Federation No. 1-ranked welterweight contender Cosme “Chino” Rivera is continuing the long, proud tradition of Mexican fighters like Julio Cesar Chavez, Carlos Zarate, Carlos Palomino, Ruben Olivares, Salvador Sanchez and modern-day warriors Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Jose Luis Ramirez and Jose Luis Castillo. In fact, Rivera is from the same part of Mexicoas Chavez and Ramirez.

Unbeaten in his last seven fights since moving up to welterweight from light welterweight, against opponents with an aggregate number of 150 victories, Rivera now is the International Boxing Federation mandatory challenger for new undisputed world welterweight champ Zab “Super” Judah.

The 28-year-old, now living in east Los Angeles, is known as an extremely accurate puncher who uses feints to set up his timely jabs, straight rights, counters and body shots. Cosme’s tremendously poised and has good “whiskers” having never been knocked out. In fact, he’s never been floored.

Rivera made his pro debut Jan. 1, 1993, winning a four-round decision against Cachorron Diaz, in Mexico. Cosme lost his next fight, won seven in a row before losing again, and followed with five consecutive victories including the Baja CaliforniaStatelight welterweight championship and two successful title defenses.

He won four and lost two before fighting outside of Mexicofor the first time, capturing the WBO NABO light welterweight crown with a 12-round unanimous decision against (26-3-1) Hector Quiroz in Las Vegas.

He defended his title in Mexicoagainst Onesimo Noyola (TKO6) before losing his belt to (28-4-1) Ricky Quiros by 12-round majority decision in Stateline, Nev.

Cosme rebounded three months later in Coachella, Californiawith a ninth-round knockout of Gilberto Quiros (11-1) for the UBF International championship and successfully defended it Feb. 2, 2000, with a 12-round split decision versus (18-1-1) Moses James.

Diosbelys Hurtado (30-2-1) won a 12-round decision from Rivera for the IBA Continental light welterweight title. Cosme came back with a seventh-round TKO of Juan Carlos Rodriguez (36-16-2) and fought a 12-round draw with Rodolfo Gomez (27-11-1).

Rivera’s last loss was Oct 19, 2000, in Miamito (15-1-1) Arturo Morua by unanimous decision in 12.

Cosme moved up from 140 to 147 pounds and captured the vacant IBA Americas welterweight championship with a unanimous 12-round decision against Hicklet Lau (17-6-2). “Chino” (nicknamed because his eyes are shaped like he’s Chinese) ” made a successful title defense four months later taking a 12-round decision from Wilfredo Megron (20-6).

Next up was Golden “14-K” Johnson, coming straight off an impressive 11^th-round TKO of hot prospect (20-1-1) Chantiel Stanciel for the NABA welterweight title. Rivera took a 12-round decision against Johnson for the WBC Continental Americas crown.

Rivera ended 2002 with an 11^th-round TKO of (25-8-3) Pedro Saiz. After being inactive for 13 months, Cosme firmly established himself as a world-class fighter by traveling to Englandand stopping hometown hero (28-0-1) James Hare in the 10^th round for the WBF title.

Now in the position for a major world title fight, Rivera won his Sept. 9, 2004, fight against (22-1) Hercules Kyvelos with a fourth-round stoppage that sent Hercules to the hospital in their IBF welterweight title eliminator at MandalayBayin Las Vegas.

In his last fight (April 12, 2004in Stockton, Calif.), Cosme won a tune-up by stopping (16-16-1) Javier Valadez in the fourth round.

Cosme Rivera, rated No. 8 by The Ring, is promoted by Guilty Boxing, managed by Grant Elvis Phillips and trained by Nacho Huziar.