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Danny Garcia is brewing a new Philly star in Johnny Rivera and drew a thousand to prove it
Danny Garcia with rising Philly star Johnny Rivera Jr and Johnny Rivera Sr. (Photo by Joseph Santoliquito/Ring)
PHILADELPHIA, PA — It was a week after one of Philadelphia boxing’s biggest accomplishments, drawing 14,119 to the Wells Fargo Center for Jaron “Boots” Ennis’ first IBF welterweight title defense against late-replacement David Avanesyan. You would figure Philly would have its fill of boxing.
Not exactly.
Danny Garcia, the 36-year-old former two-division world titlist, is molding a new rising star in Johnny “Different Breed” Rivera. On July 20, the back of the 2300 Arena in South Philly was packed. The place may fit 1,300. There were easily a 1,000 that showed up for welterweight Rivera’s four-round decision victory over 19-fight veteran Nelson Morales, who came in at 154.
Rivera, just 18, was the first fighter to sign under Garcia’s Swift Promotions banner and is 3-0, with two stoppages. Against Morales, 32, the young junior welterweight may have been a little more frequently than he liked, but the victory, plus the turnout, bodes well for future fights in Philly.
“It was a great night and we got 1,000 people,” Garcia said. “Johnny weighed 147, and the kid weighed 154, but we have such belief in Johnny that he had the skills to win. This showed that the people in Philly still love boxing. This was a great start. We got 1,000 tonight, and then we start building more and get to bigger arenas where we can get 2,000 in there. The goal is to build these guys like Johnny and build their brand.”
In Rivera, there is plenty to work with. He is a good looking, flashy welterweight. His family is the equivalent to the Philly fighting Fundoras. Johnny Rivera Sr. is his son’s trainer. Johnny Sr. has two younger children who are also fighters, nationally ranked in their respective weight classes and age groups. The Riveras went through seven opponents that turned the fight down.
After Ennis, Garcia’s Rivera may be another Philly draw.
“Morales made Johnny work, and it would have been nice to go six rounds, but this guy wanted four rounds and survive and we were happy he took the fight, because no one else would,” Rivera Sr. said. “We are looking to get right back in the ring August 16. This Morales was a much larger guy, and easily 160, 165 pounds and my son came in tonight around 149. That (weight disparity) won’t happen again. Johnny is 18 and is a 19-time national amateur champion. He is going to continue learning and growing.”
What is refreshing about Rivera is his accountability.
“I’m not happy at all, I could have cut weight far better than I did, and I would give myself a C-minus, because I have done far more,” Rivera Jr. said. “I did not fully train for this the way I was supposed to, and I have to be on my weight better. I crashed weight last minute. I will come in way stronger the next time I fight.”
Rivera was back in the gym two days after the fight on Monday. He knows he has to sharpen his defense. He knows he needs to be more disciplined.
Garcia knows the future looks bright for Rivera.
“I think Johnny has a lot of me in him,” Garcia said. “He works hard, he is committed to the sport and only 18. He still has things to learn, and I like the fact that he knows it. He’s good now, and can be so much better. We have time. We can be patient. I’m looking to help him with the experience I have in and out of the ring. We had 1,000 people tonight. If you came late, it would take a while to park the place was so packed. This is just the beginning for Swift Promotions and Johnny Rivera.”
Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Magazine/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Follow @JSantoliquito
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