Dillian Whyte: I always find a way to adapt – but Oscar Rivas warrants respect
Dillian Whyte is confident he will gain win number 26 of his professional career when he faces Oscar Rivas at Greenwich’s 02 Arena on July 20.
The Brixton heavyweight has been the number one contender for WBC world champion Deontay Wilder for more than 600 days but it still waiting for his shot at the American.
Canadian-based Colombian Rivas, 32, is 26-0 but has mixed in nowhere near the same upper echelons of the division as Whyte (25-1).
Rivas is small for a modern-day heavyweight at six foot.
But Whyte doesn’t believe that will be an issue – even though he is used to fighting bigger men.
He told Boxing Social: “That’s what boxing is about – you find a way.
“You find a way to get the job done. That’s one thing I’m good at doing – finding a way to solve a problem.
“It hasn’t distracted me. Rivas is undefeated and he’s hungry. He knows what hardship, survival and struggle is.
“I’ll give him the credit he is due. I never come to a camp and overlook anybody. Sometimes people say I train too hard and need to relax. It’s because I’m focused – I know what it at stake.
“I ain’t got no Olympic gold medal or huge promotional team behind me, so I’m self-made. I know how important it is to keep winning and looking good.”