Philippines, 02 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


YANKIEL RIVERA SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM

PhilBoxing.com





Puerto Rican talent in action in New York on February 4

Puerto Rican amateur star Yankiel Rivera has signed a multi-fight deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom – and will fight for the third time in the paid ranks on the undercard of the undisputed double-header with Amanda Serrano vs. Erika Cruz and Alycia Baumgardner vs. Elhem Mekhaled on Saturday February 4 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, live worldwide on DAZN.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT TICKETMASTER.COM AND MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT MSG.COM

Rivera (2-0 2 KOs) turned pro in Barranquilla, Colombia in September with a first round KO win and quickly made it two wins inside the distance with a third round KO in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico in November.

The 25 year old, campaigning at Flyweight, was Puerto Rico’s sole representative at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, just one stand out moment from an amateur career that boasted a record of 133-14, winning a host of medals and twice fighting at the World Championships.

‘El Doctorcito’ will be looking to make it three KOs in three on February 4 when he takes on Fernando Diaz(11-2-1 3 KOs) over eight rounds, and he’s looking to impress and show that his plans to move at pace are real.

“Today is a date I will never forget,” said Rivera. “Although this is not my ultimate goal in the sport, signing with Matchroom constitutes a landmark in my career and a dream come true. I am humbled and excited to now be part of this great team, and I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Matchroom.

“This is the best motivation to keep working hard and keep learning. I am ready to deliver. To my people in New York, I will see you on February 4 and I promise you a great performance."

“I am delighted to welcome Yankiel to the team,” said Hearn. “The amateur pedigree speaks for itself, and he’s made a great start to life in the pro game. The brilliant Puerto Rico fight fans in New York will already be out in force to see Amanda Serrano, and Yankiel will become an instant hit with them.

“We have been tracking him for some time and he was set to fight in Puerto Rico on February 11, but the chance arose to land him on this blockbuster card in the Big Apple and I am thrilled to be able to give this huge talent such a great platform in his first fight with Matchroom.”

“Yankiel's signing with Matchroom constitutes the culmination of a process that started months ago,” said Miguel Ortega, Rivera’s Legal Advisor. “It also marks the beginning of something special. We are confident that Yankiel's talent and work ethic will take him all the way to the World championship. We are equally confident that Matchroom is the perfect promoter to take Yankiel to such heights.

“Matchroom has the big names in Yankiel's current and potential divisions, and we are ready for all of them. We thank Mr. Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, as well as Mr. Peter Kahn from FGA, for this great opportunity. We look forward to February 4th at the MSG for a great show!"

“It is very exciting to see Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing getting behind Yankiel Rivera,” said Peter Kahn, Rivera’s manager and 2022 BWAA Manager of the Year. “Matchroom understands the rich boxing history of Puerto Rico and the importance of having an Olympian like Yankiel on the roster including fighting in one of the most exciting and competitive weight divisions in boxing right now.

“There is no better place for Yankiel to be making his Matchroom debut than Madison Square Garden where the fans will proudly be waiving the Puerto Rican flag.”

Rivera is the final star on display on February 4 and joins Shadasia Green in completing the card. Green (11-0 10 KOs) will defend her WBC Silver Super-Middleweight title against Elin Cederroos in an eliminator for the WBC World title held by undisputed champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn, who landed the titles at Madison Square Garden in April against former WBA and IBF champion Cederroos (8-1 4 KOs).

It's another historic night of action from Matchroom in New York, as we follow the epic fight of the year clash between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano in April with another double-header of undisputed action.

Serrano moves to Hulu Theater to aim to hold all the marbles for a second time, this time at Featherweight where she faces Mexico’s WBA ruler Cruz. Baumgardner recorded the best win of her career to date when she added the IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine belts held by bitter rival Mikaela Mayer in October in London via split decision to her WBC and IBO straps. The vacant WBA belt is the last piece of the puzzle, and French former interim WBC champion Mekhaled will look to spoil the Detroit star’s plans in her first fight in the States.

Richardson Hitchins (15-0 7 KOs) takes on New Jersey’s John Bauza (17-0 7 KOs) for the IBF North American and USWBC 140lb titles, there’s two more female title fights on the card, as Australian star Skye Nicolson (5-0) looks to take a big step towards World title action against fellow unbeaten fighter Tania Alvarez (7-0 1 KO) for the WBC Silver Featherweight title and there’s another all-undefeated belt battle as Ramla Ali (7-0 2 KOs) faces title action for the first time in the paid ranks as she meets Avril Mathie (8-0-1 3 KOs) for the IBF Intercontinental Super-Bantamweight strap, and Aaron Aponte (6-0-1 2 KOs) and Brooklyn’s Harley Mederos (4-0 3 KOs) complete the action against Joshua David Rivers (8-1 5 KOs) and Julio Madera (4-2 2 KOs) respectively.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • GUSTAVO TRUJILLO CONTINUES HEAVYWEIGHT ASCENT WITH DEVASTATING FIRST-ROUND TKO
    , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • Boxing Insider Promotions Brings Regional Card to Tropicana Atlantic City on Saturday, June 13
    , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • Chess, in whatever form, is a great equalizer
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • UNBEATEN CRIZTIAN PITT LAURENTE RETURNS TO FACE JING AGUAN IN A LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT HEADLINING SANMAN 101
    , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • Lebosada, Sia rule DSA Open golf
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • Davao Chess Eagles in FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz in Hong Kong
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • Pido retains crown, Pulleda wins
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 01 Jun 2026
  • Juarez defeats Valle by split decision to retain WBC belt in El Paso,Texas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Jose Sulaiman's 95th birthday is being celebrated with events around the world
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Filipino referee Danrex Tapdasan is now one of the IBF board of directors
    , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament gets underway
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 31 May 2026
  • Lieutenant Delfin Boholst: Soldier, Boxing Coach, Mentor
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • O’Shaquie Foster vs Raymond Ford: Bad Blood Equals Good Fight
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • WBC Issues Rules Clarification for Designating David Benavidez Mandatory Challenger to Noel Mikaelian External Inbox Andre Courtemanche -- Big Media Buzz
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • FOSTER VS. FORD – WEIGHTS AND THE FINAL WORD AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • AWE to Air Live the WBC World Title Rematch of Kevin Lerena v. Ryad Merhy this Saturday
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Juego Todo exists in two powerful dimensions
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • ‘The Homecoming’ Postponed in Vancouver
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo to Defend Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles Against the Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy now trains at MP Davao for Collazo's fight
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • “While others debate governance, the IBA continues to deliver.” IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE on the organisation’s resilience and global ambition
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • MP Pro Announces Signed Undefeated Prospects J'Hon Ingram, Amir Anderson, David Lopez, and Kayla Gomez to Compete on "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach, California
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy to challenge Collazo on June 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNIE ALVAREZ RETURNS TO THE RING ON JUNE 13 IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 29 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.