Michel Rivera (21-0) is still riding high following his 8th round knockout of Jon Fernandez on July 3rd in a Showtime televised bout. The fight was a WBA lightweight eliminator and Rivera hopes to fight for a world title sooner than later. 

There were however a few rough patches in the fight. Fernandez sent Rivera to the canvas for the first time in his career in the 6th round with a questionable knockdown.  Rivera wasn't hurt and went on to stop Fernandez 2 rounds later.

The 23-year-old Dominican Republic native is now hoping to secure a showdown against interim WBA lightweight champion Rolando "Rolly" Romero (14-0).

"I won my eliminator in spectacular fashion.  It is now clear to the whole world that I am taking this very seriously and that I won't be waiting around for long for a shot at a title," said Rivera.

Romero was also in action in July, stopping Anthony Yigit in 7 rounds in San Antonio. 

Rivera said that he respects Romero as a fighter but hasn't been very impressed with his recent string of fights. 

"He is a champion for a reason.  He won the fights and did what he needed to do but that belt is going to be mine," Rivera told BoxingScene.com. "He hasn't fought anyone that was very good since Jackson Marinez and it was obvious that Marinez won that fight clearly and was robbed."

He said that he would like nothing more than to close out 2021 with a fight against Romero.

"He needs to fight better opponents.  I am now the mandatory so he should fight me next and stop fighting these low level opponents," Rivera stated.

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