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Michel Rivera stated Thursday that he is in the type of condition conducive to going 20 rounds if necessary.
The Dominican lightweight contender’s fight against Joseph Adorno is scheduled for only half that long, but Adorno doesn’t think 10 rounds will be nearly necessary, either. The undefeated Adorno predicted during a press conference that Showtime’s co-feature Saturday night will end abruptly, whenever he or Rivera connects with his first flush punch.
“Whoever land the first good punch,” Adorno said, “[his opponent] is going to sleep.”
The 22-year-old Adorno is 14-0-2, including 12 knockouts, but he has become more known within the industry for missing weight than winning meaningful fights. The Allentown, Pennsylvania, native says he is ready to rewrite the narrative of his career by beating the 24-year-old Rivera (22-0, 14 KOs), who is ranked second among the WBA’s 135-pound contenders.
Adorno has fought to back-to-back draws in his most recent appearances. He hasn’t boxed in 11 months, not since he and Jamaine Ortiz (15-0-1, 8 KOs) fought to an eight-round majority draw last April 24 at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida.
“You know, [I’ll be] just a new, well-improved Joseph, not just relying on my power,” Adorno said. “You know, we know he’s a great fighter, of course. You know, so we’re just gonna go out there and put in the work, man. You know what I’m saying? I’ve been working and I know this takes both of us from prospect to contender, whoever wins Saturday night.
“So, you know, I know what’s on the line. So, you know, just gotta be focused and, you know, relaxed up in the ring. You know, you’re gonna see fireworks. Like you said, we both bring spectacular power. You know, we both undefeated fighters. So, you know, it’s gonna be, I think, one of the – out of the three [fights], it’s probably gonna take the show.”
Adorno signed with Vito Mielnicki’s GH3 Promotions once his contract with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. expired following his draw with Ortiz.
After Adorno and Rivera square off, Showtime will air a 12-round main event in which Australian 154-pound contender Tim Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) will encounter Cleveland native Terrell Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs). Showtime’s tripleheader is set to begin at 9 p.m. ET with a 10-round, 142-pound bout in which the Dominican Republic’s Elvis Rodriguez (12-1-1, 11 KOs) will square off against Argentina’s Juan Jose Velasco (23-2, 14 KOs).
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.