Boxing experts give their predictions on the Dillian Whyte vs Oscar Rivas fight
WBC #1 Dillian Whyte (25-1), 31 from Brixton, meets undefeated Colombian Oscar Rivas (26-0), 31 from Montreal, on July 20 at London’s O2 Arena, live on Sky Sports.
With 51 fights and only one loss between them, the pair are very closely matched and with a combined count of 18 KOs each, this could be one hell of a heavyweight collision!
BBN asked their panel of experts for their view on who wins?
Dmitriy Salita
Former world title contender & head of Salita Promotions
"This is a great fight! Much respect to Dillian Whyte for taking on one of the best contenders in the heavyweight division, one without a big name, but with a lot of skills.
Oscar Rivas is a hungry and technically sound fighter but I expect Dillian's size, strength and experience to give him the edge in this exciting heavyweight match up."
Kieran Gething
Welsh Area super-lightweight champion
"I think it’ll be a decent watch and an overall good performance from Dillian. I think Rivas could be a big stumbling block if he turns it on, however, Whyte should have the power to put him out!"
Tim Rickson
Sports Agent
"These two are so closely matched on paper, with 26 fights each, just Dillian with the one solitary loss to heavyweight kingpin Anthony Joshua. Sharing the same KO ratio means there'll be nothing to seperate them in power. They'll both be equally as confident coming into the contest, but 'The Brixton Body Snatcher' will have 20,000 UK fight fans roaring him on!
Whyte has had the better experience and harder opponents over the course of his career, namely the defeat to Joshua, but also scoring good wins over Lucas Browne, Joseph Parker, and the two epic battles with Dereck Chisora, the rematch ending so conclusively for Whyte. Rivas can only reel off one notable name on his record, which is, of course, Bryant Jennings.
I'm really torn, obviously I'll be rooting for Dillian to win and he has such a top trainer and master tactician in his corner – Mark Tibbs.
I think it will be an absolute barnstormer of a fight because it'll be so close. I can see it swinging backwards and forwards, a bit like the fight with Joseph Parker. But, ultimately, I'm backing 'The Lone Wolf' Dillian Whyte to win, probably by points, I think."
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Oscar Rivas
Aqib Tahlat
BBN Writer
"Great fight and it will be a tough test for Whyte.
I think Whyte is at his stage of his career where he looks like he’s getting better every fight.
Rivas will make it tricky for the first couple of fights but I think that Whyte will stop him in the later rounds.
Whyte stoppage 8-10 rounds."
Joe Neale
Boxing Matchmaker / PR
"This is a really hard fight for Dillian Whyte. Oscar Rivas, I think, will be his toughest challenge to date.
I do think it’s will be close on the cards but think Dillian will just edge it on points, could even be a majority or split, I think it’s that close."
Jamie Speight
Three-time Southern Area champion
"Hard call this, really hard call.
Dillian is improving little by little fight by fight and Rivas I know very little about so based on that and that alone, I have to go with Dillian, but from what I’ve seen of Rivas, and being the shorter man, Dillian will have to be wary of those big shots coming over the top."
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Dillian Whyte
Daniel Smith
BBN Writer
"Dillian Whyte vs Oscar Rivas is a tasty fight. Rivas is a warm order, a powerful puncher who's capable of putting Dillian to sleep with one, massive dig. I think 'Kaboom' will be a handful for the Brixton man – possibly more than he's bargained for.
Another concern is Dillian's weight ballooning since his clash with Derek Chisora last December. The bulky Londoner will first have the battle of cutting the additional timber from which he's acquired over the past few months; possibly living a little too merrily outside the ring. But, the gruelling weeks of camp should knock it right off.
On paper, Whyte has certainly faced the higher caliber of opponents in, Joshua, Chisora and Paker. However, the pair are equally equipped to do the business – and that's why this fight may turn out to be a 10oz gloved war. Two heavyweight bulls, locking horns over twelve punishing rounds in what should be an enthralling, brutal affair – a truly cracking night of heavyweight boxing.
Although the unbeaten Colombian is a serious threat, I'm still going with a Dillian Whyte win. Whyte has slipped through the gears since suffering a loss to AJ. Nowadays, he utilisers his experience and boxing intellect, choosing his shots carefully as opposed to blasting-out big punches that shoot holes in the tank.
The self-proclaimed 'King of South London' will undoubtedly drag this fight as far away from the Colombian's comfort zone as possible, either boxing or brawling his way to victory – it doesn't matter, for 'The Body Snatcher' is more than able to do both."
Dean Bedford
Sports Agent
"Whyte by KO.
Rivas will come to fight but I can see him losing in the first seven rounds, to be honest.
Dillian Whyte is always improving and this is a fight for him to tick over while waiting to fight the Wilder Breazeale winner.
Be an entertaining fight while it lasts!"
Benn Norman
Flyweight debutant
"I think it’s a hard fight for Dillian Whyte, I don’t know a lot about Oscar Rivas but his record speaks for itself. It’s heavyweight boxing and it only takes one shot, but Whyte, if he comes through, should get his long overdue world title fight."
Rankings
Dillian Whyte: WBC #1; WBA #4; WBO #1
Oscar Rivas: WBC #14; WBA #6; IBF #7; WBO #4
Robbie Davies Jr
European & British super-lightweight champion
"Rivas is very good fighter with bags of experience at amateur and pro, with a great win over Bryant Jennings.
I feel Dillian is a man on a mission at the moment, and honestly feel he's capable of knocking out anyone in the division.
Early rounds will be closely contested, but feel Dillian will get a mid to late KO."
Ryan Clark
Co-Founder of BuyMyFight
“I have to say, my fan status for Dillian Whyte has dramatically increased since the AJ fight. He hasn’t ducked anyone and what’s more he actively wants to fight even when he doesn’t have to.
He’s an old school proper fighter as well as understanding the business whereas you have to fight to keep yourself relevant and your stocks high. That said, this is a dangerous fight!
Oscar Rivas reminds me a little of a pre Joshua vs Parker. Parker had impressed but, hadn’t really fought anyone proven at top level but, when I look at the styles and work rate of both, I can’t help thinking this could be an upset. I’m going to call a Rivas win by KO (Round 8).
It won’t hurt Dillian either way. If he wins, the plan works and he’s going to be forcing his way into a world title shot but if he loses, the respect for taking this and keeping active along with the likes of Fury/Wilder/Ortiz all waiting for another Dillian Whyte pay day/chance. Great bit of business Dillian!”
Verdict
91% decided on Dillian
9% opted for Oscar