Press Release: WBA light middleweight champion “El Gallo” Jose Antonio Rivera will defend his WBA 154-pound title belt against the WBA champion in recess Travis Simms (24-0, 18 KOs) in the 12-round co-feature on the Samuel Peter-James Toney II card. The bout takes place January 6, 2007 on Showtime from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Rivera (38-4-1, 24 KOs), said, “this is a great opportunity for me on Showtime. It’s not competing with another big card so the public will tune in and see what I bring to the table -- a fighter who always comes in top condition and gives everything he has. There is no running, no boring fight with me; I’m all about action and giving fans what they want and deserve. I’m a boxer-puncher who likes to be aggressive. I’m going to keep putting pressure on my opponent and make him fight a full 12-rounds. If he’s still there after 12, I’ll win by decision; if he can’t take it, I’ll put him to sleep.” Last May, Rivera moved up to light middleweight and  floored WBA title-holder Alejandro Garcia five times en route to a unanimous decision. At 33, Rivera is much more comfortable fighting at 154 pounds. “I should have been fighting at 154 pounds a long time ago,” Jose noted. “I weakened myself making weight at 147. After the Mayorga fight I was going up to 154, but that fight didn’t materialize, and I wanted to make one title defense (at welterweight). I was supposed to fight (Thomas) Damgaard but he pulled out and win, lose or draw I was going up to 154 after fighting Colazzo. Those last seven pounds (difference between welterweight and light middleweight) are huge, physically and mentally.”