Philippines, 02 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Kevin "The New England Bully" Cobbs Never left boxing, kept training in gym

PhilBoxing.com


Fights Richard "Popeye The Sailor Man" Rivera in "New England's Future 5" main event "New England's Future 5"
Feb. 10 in Worcester, MA

WORCESTER, Mass. (January 31, 2018) -- Light heavyweight Kevin "The New England Bully" Cobbs (10-2, 4 KOs", representing George Foreman III's Everybody Fights gym in South Boston (MA), will be back in the ring after a relatively long hiatus, February 10th against undefeated Hartford (CT) prospect Richard "Popeye The Sailor Man" Rivera (5-0, 4 KOs), at The Palladium in Worcester.

Rivera vs. Cobbs will battle for the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) New England light heavyweight title in the eight-round "New England's Future 5" main event. "New England';s Future 5", presented by Rivera Promotions Entertainment (RPE)", is the fifth installment of the popular "New England's Future Series."

"We are very excited to be able to have put together a fight of this caliber," promoter Jose Antonio Rivera commented. "These is the kind of fight that boxing fans love to watch. Cobbs is a proven contender who has big fights experience. It's good to see he is confident in his abilities to take on Rivera, an undefeated up-and-coming prospect with a very bright future."

The 33-year-old Cobbs hasn't fought in more than two years, since he was stopped in the second round by sensational David Benavidez (19-0, 17 KOs), the 21-year-old reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Middleweight World Champion.

"People thought that I had gotten out of boxing," Cobbs explained. ""I never stopped training, I just didn't have any fights since the Benavidez fight. I'm a personal trainer and now I'm back in boxing shape. I never left boxing! This fight is a great opportunity for me. It can open doors for whatever my camp decides. My job is to do what's needed in the squared circle."

Rivera has had only five pro fights and doesn't have a rich amateur pedigree. He's never been in the ring with anybody close to Benavidez. Cobbs has also sparred Winky Wright, Chad Dawson for both of his fights with Bernard Hopkins, Edwin Rodriguez, Peter Manfredo, Jr. and most of the top current New England boxers.

Many believe Cobbs has a decisive experience advantage over Rivera and question whether he's ready to step up in class to fight Cobbs. "He's only had five pro fights," Cobbs answered when asked, "but I don't know if he's ready. I can't answer that, only he can. but we'll find out February 10th. I can tell you that I'm ready."

Ironically, Cobbs is from Rivera's hometown, Hartford. Cobbs explained that he got into some trouble on Hartford streets as a youth, which led to him resettling in Burlington, Vermont. He eventually opened a gym in Fall River (MA) and now works at Everybody Fights.

"I'm doing what I like to do," Cobbs concluded. "I don't have jitters like I did when I first started boxing Everything is easier now, I'm relaxed in the ring. I'm still learning on the job, but I'm more skilled than I was the last time I fought. I'm a boxing chameleon: I can box or bang to counter my opponent's style."

Worcester's two-time national amateur champion Bobby "BH3" Harris, III (2-0) meets Brazilian super middleweight Saul Almeida (0-8-1) in the four-round co-featured event. Hartford super middleweight Jose "Rated R" Rivera (4-1, 3 KOs) faces Troy "Omar KO Artist" Artis (4-7-1 (3 KOs), of Danbury (CT) in a six-round bout.

Fighting on the undercard, all in four-round matches, are Southbridge (MA) junior welterweight Wilfredo "El Sucaro" Pagan (3-0, 1 KO) vs. pro-debuting Nick Peralta, of Lawrence, unbeaten Danbury (CT) junior welterweight Omar Bordoy, Jr. (3-0, 1 KO) vs. Puerto Rican Alexander "El Bravo" Picot (2-4-1), undefeated Springfield (MA) light heavyweight Ray "Bazooka" Graceski (5-0, 3 KOs). vs. Hartford's pro-debuting Pawel Bansiak, Springfield welterweight Derrick "Bad Boy" Whitley (2-0) vs. Roger Blankenship (1-2), undefeated Puerto Rican super middleweight Jelame Garcia (6-0, 6 KOs) vs. Brazilian Rodrigo Almeida 1-7), Bridgeport's (CT) pro-debuting welterweight Joseph Goss vs. Seth Basler (0-3), and Hartford junior lightweight vs. Bridgeport's Carlos Marraro, III (0-1).

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Tickets, priced at $75.00 (ringside) and $45.00 (general admission), are on sale and available to purchase at www.ThePalladium.net or the Palladium box office (general admission only), or by contacting Jose Rivera (elgallojar@gmail.com/508.864.6954), AJ Rivera (anthoneerivera@gmail.com/774.272.2269) or any of the fighters.

Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, first bout 7 p.m. ET.

Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Luis Rosa, Jr. Scholarship Fund.

Sponsors include Lundgren Honda, Top Royalty, Allstate, USANA, Atty. Maria M. Rivera-Cotto, Ambicion Musik, Hill Team Associates, Hispano Vocero, and Lundren Insurance & Financial Services.

INFORMATION:
Facebook.com/RiveraPromotionsEntertainment
Twitter: @RiveraPromoEnt @joseriverachamp @KingRivera_




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Rene “Chulo” Santiago, Masataka Taniguchi Officially Make Weight for Friday’s Unified World Title Clash in Tokyo
    , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • Marlon Tapales and Yukinori Oguni Make Weight in Clash of Former World Champions
    , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • Taduran in high spirits ahead of title defense in California
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • Waiting to beat Floyd
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • 20th Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on May 1
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • Can Tapales Overpower Oguni to Increase his Chances of Another World Title Fight?
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • BROWN-DUCAR PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AHEAD OF FRIDAY'S ALTRINCHAM FIGHT NIGHT
    , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Makes Headlines Again with Signing of Former World Champion  Julio Cesar “El Rey” Martinez
    , Thu, 02 Apr 2026
  • Santiago-Taniguchi Final Presser
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Jimuel in Action on Friday!
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • “Rumble in the Une” Makes History in Union City with Star-Studded Fight Card Headlined by Jacob Macalolooy
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Is Floyd chickening out?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Bacaro to challenge Toyoshima on April 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • IBA steps forward as potential organiser for Bivol vs Beterbiev trilogy bout
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • PBF president Almario dies
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Portland Trail Blazers have new owner after $4.25 billion sale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • PH chess wizard seven-year old Noah Lucas Palcis finishes second in Bangkok chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • 2 Time World Champion Marcos Maidana Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • ‘I won’t be holding anything back! – Big Bad Bazley challenges The Pilgrim Ryan Williams for Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • ZAYAS AND BOOTS CLASH IN UNIFIED BLOCKBUSTER AT BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN ON JUNE 27 – LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON DAZN PPV
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 13-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
    , Tue, 31 Mar 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.