Redeem now - A fighter, who shares an uncanny resemblance to Muhammad Ali, continues to rack up wins in boxing.
- Michel Rivera, 24, returned to the ring Saturday to comfortably outpoint Jerry Perez in Brooklyn.
- The fighter said he is targeting boxing's biggest bouts — against Gervonta Davis or Devin Haney.
Michel Rivera, a fighter who calls himself "the reincarnation of Muhammad Ali," is on the cusp of big things in boxing.
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in.The 24-year-old lightweight returned to the ring Saturday for an eight-round decision win over Jerry Perez at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Though he did not get the stoppage, Rivera scored a knockdown moments before the bell in the final round.
—Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) October 16, 2022The Dominican fighter landed 185 punches from 513 shots attempted which included 66 body shots, according to Compubox data sent to Insider.
Rivera's victory advances his undefeated pro record to 24 wins, and the boxer continues his climb toward the highest echelon of the 135-pound division.
Rivera continues to play on his likeness to Ali
Insider said in 2021 that Rivera was shaking up the combat sports world because of his flashy finishes, iconic hairstyle, and the shorts he wears that are designed to bear comparison to Ali's outfits.
Rivera again wore white shorts with black trim for his win over Perez, and it's something he'll likely continue to do as the bigger and more lucrative fights draw nearer.
Boxing Scene reported that prior to his latest win, Rivera said he was targeting a big lightweight bout against Gervonta Davis or Devin Haney.
"After this, give me Tank or Devin Haney," Rivera told the CBS-owned sports site. "I am better than both of them, and it will be proven when we fight."
A match against Davis may take a while to book because four sources recently told Insider that organizers are "fairly close" to agreeing to a super fight involving the knockout puncher against Ryan Garcia.
Haney, meanwhile, just beat George Kambosos Jr. to retain possession of the undisputed lightweight championship.
It is likelier Premier Boxing Champions will look to match Rivera, who is currently ranked ninth by The Ring magazine, against a fellow PBC-affiliated fighter like Isaac Cruz or Rolando Romero.
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