Michel Rivera Declines Tile Fight Offer from Matias Over Money
Roughly three and a half months ago, junior welterweight fighter Michel “La Zarza Ali” Rivera (25-1, 14 KO’s) successfully hopped back into the win column. His ten-round unanimous decision over Sergey Lipinets was the first victory after getting thoroughly outclassed and shut out by Frank Martin. Presently, the Dominican bruiser is eager to face IBF 140-pound champion Subriel “El Orgullo de Maternillo” Matias (20-1, 20 KO’s), but only for the right price.
In a recent Q&A with Mill City Boxing, La Zarza Ali readily admitted that there had been communication with the camp of the IBF champion. He also was forthright when stating that he shied away from that interaction due to the stingy purse attached.
“But, it’s like I tell you, if he really want to fight, he have to give the money [so] that the fighter will say yes. You can’t just say I want to fight with everybody and just want to pay $20,000! What the fuck is that? That is no money . . . but you just can’t get a top ten guy and you try to just pay him $20,000, or whatever $100,000. That’s no money for the fight that you want!”
“That’s the point man, I [can] do a fight that is not for a world title and they pay me more. And how you pretend to be, Matias, the best guy that you told that you are the boogeyman or whatever.”
NO CHEAP THRILLS HERE!
Balking at financial dissatisfaction is an increasingly common occurrence in today’s boxing marketplace. Frank Martin wanted a little bump in his pay to chuck knuckles with WBC 135-pound champion Shakur Stevenson. Yet, Stevenson wanted more than the offered 25% to challenge Devin Haney for a shot at becoming undisputed at lightweight. So, to hear that Rivera is going this same route is not surprising.
At the same time, had he taken the Haney route, by taking short money to gamble on capturing a title, Rivera could be barreling into his first world title fight. If successful, as the IBF 140-pound champion, his paydays would certainly rocket up.
A win over Matias would also put him in line for extremely high-profile unification matches versus Teofimo Lopez (WBO), Devin Haney (WBC) and Rolando Romero (WBA). Instead, Rivera chose quick money over potential glory. It will be interesting to see who Michel Rivera dances with next. In any case, stay tuned to 3Kings Boxing for all things boxing.
