NEW YORK – Yankiel Rivera was able to offer a stronger account of himself in the same venue that hosted his previous outing.

Puerto Rico’s lone boxer to fight in the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics outpaced Christian Robles to earn a unanimous decision in their eight-round battle of unbeaten flyweights. Judges Tony Paolillo (79-72), Robert Perez (78-73) and Waleska Roldan (77-74) all scored for Rivera in their DAZN opener Saturday evening from Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York City.

Rivera was determined to deliver a more pronounced performance than when he appeared at this venue less than five months ago. The 25-year-old Boricua faced Fernando Diaz on just three weeks’ notice and went the distance in an eight-round win.

He jumped out to a stronger start versus Robles, who showed no fear and even managed a flush right hand. Rivera forced an aggressive pace as he targeted the body and also came back with right hooks upstairs.

Robles used movements and combination punching in his best effort to offset Rivera’s attack in round two. It worked to a degree, as the Los Angeles-based Mexican connected with right hands at close quarters. Rivera used in and out movement to throw and land with flicking left hands upstairs and more committed shots downstairs.

Rivera was forced on the defensive in round three. Robles threw reverse combinations—a lead right followed by a jab—which briefly frustrated the rising flyweight prospect.

That good fortune did not last long. Rivera jumped on Robles and floored him early in round four. A straight left hand put Robles flat on his back, though he was able to beat the count. His legs were still not under him as Rivera stalked his prey and wobbled his foe with lead left hands. Robles braved the storm and made it out of the round after Rivera was able to land from southpaw and orthodox stances.

Rivera’s offense slowed considerably in round five before he offered a more disciplined attack in the sixth. He opened the round from the right-handed stance and connected with lead rights while Robles’ shots fell short. Robles landed an overhand right late in the frame which Rivera took well and still managed to land a left hand on Robles’ forehead.

The threat of a knockout disappeared over the final two rounds. It was a tribute to Robles’ mental strength and desire, as well as Rivera’s decision to potshot and showboat rather than sit down on his punches with the same commitment that came earlier in the fight. Robles (8-1, 3KOs) lasted the distance but suffered his first defeat in the process.

Rivera went the eight-round distance for the second straight time as he advanced to 4-0 (2KOs). He entered the fight with the hope of fighting for a major title within a year. It is an ambitious claim in a dangerous flyweight division, and one which doesn’t expect to play out—which would actually work to Rivera's benefit as he continues to develop. 

Headlining the show, Brooklyn’s own Edgar Berlanga (20-0, 16KOs) faces Ireland’s Jason Quigley in a scheduled twelve-round super middleweight contest. Their bout tops a four-fight DAZN telecast which begins at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox