Jose Antonio Rivera, who holds the WBA's regular welterweight title (Cory Spinks has the WBA super championship) considers himself the best kept secret in boxing. Rivera, #8 in the Boxingtalk ratings, captured his title by upsetting Michel Trabant via majority decision. After a series of unfortunate events led to his bout being postponed, Jose needs a date, and NOW.

  
Jose Aguirre: How's training coming along for your upcomg fight?

Jose Antonio Rivera:"Preparation is good. Right now I'm on a maintenance program until I find out when the fight is for sure so I could step it up and bring it to
another level."

JA: Is it an opponent, date or venue? What missing to make this fight complete?

JR:"A date and a site. We have an opponent. We've had an opponent for a long time."

JA: What do you know about Thomas Damgaard?

JR:"He's just a slugger, brawler. He just comes right at you. He's a southpaw that tries to overpower you and wear you down."

JA: What do you plan on doing to neutralize what he tries to do to you?

JR:"Neutralize his strengths. Don't be there to get hit and counterpunch everytime he misses."

JA: 2004 saw you on the shelf for some time due to injury. What are your plans for 2005?

JR:"I was hoping to fight three times this year to get back into the groove of things but that's not getting off to a good start. We've been ready since December. Don king had a show in Decemeber and it didn't go through. January didn't go through. February, March nothing's going to happen. We're talking about
possibly April. That's going to push us back too but we're hoping to get through Damgaard and bounce back right away and fight as much as we can."

JA: How discouraging is it to not be able to fight when you're prepared and ready to go?

JR:"I'm just trying not to let it get discouraging. I love to box. I love to train. Just trying to make the best of the situation"

JA: What do you think of the division in which you campaign in as a whole?

JR:"I think right now the division is great. Bar none I think it's the best division in boxing right now. I'm just hoping to be in the mix."

JA: Is there anything you want to say in closing?

JR:"I just want to let the boxing public know that I'm trying. I'm doing my best. I want to fight. It's not anything that I'm doing. It's beyond my control but once you do se me fight you'll know it was worth the wait."

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