Rising lightweight contender Michel Rivera (21-0) has been campaigning for a world title shot for several months now.

However, his patience has grown thin. He recently told BoxingScene.com that he wants a crack at a title by the end of the year.

The 23-year-old Florida based Dominican now has his sights squarely set on WBA interim lightweight champion Rolando "Rolly" Romero (14-0).  

Like Rivera, Romero has fought twice in 2021 and won both of his fights by knockout.

Rivera hasn't been impressed with Romero's recent opponents and wants him to step up his level of competition.

"Look at who he has been fighting.  They are all low level opponents. I am 21-0 now and have earned my shot at that title.  If he doesn't want to fight me then he should deliver me the title," Rivera told BoxingScene.com.

Romero took out Anthony Yigit in 7 rounds on July 17th and also stopped Avery Sparrow in January in 7 rounds.  In fairness to Romero, both fighters were late replacements after his original opponents pulled out of their originally scheduled fights with injuries.

Rivera was in action in July and January and notched both of his victories by 8th round stoppage.

He is very confident that his skill set would be too much for the hard hitting Romero.

"I am the reincarnation of Muhammad Ali. I don't just physically look like him but I have a lot of the same abilities and qualities that he possessed in the ring. My fists and my career have been blessed by God," said Rivera.

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter