Worcester honoring new world boxing champion Jose Rivera
Wednesday afternoon at Worcester Centrum

22.09 - WORCESTER, Mass. - Newly crowned World Boxing Association welterweight champion "El Gallo" Jose Antonio Rivera (37-3-1, 24 KOs) will be honored Wednesday (Sept. 24) by the City of Worcester for his 12-round title-winning decision against previously unbeaten German boxer Michel Trabant (38-0, 18 KOs) in Berlin.

Rivera-Trabant was broadcast only in Germany by Universum Boxing Promotions. A videotaped replay of the fight will be shown Wednesday in the Worcester Centrum at 4:30 p.m., followed by a few testimonials, culminating with Worcester Mayor Timothy Murray presenting Jose with the key to the city. Rivera will also be presented his WBA championship belt for the first time (Jose used Trabant's belt for pictures after the fight, but the old champ always keeps his title belt, and a new one was made for Rivera). Admission to this community celebration is free.

"Jose fought with his heart and spirit for his family, friends, and the City of Worcester," his manager Steven "Tank" Tankanow said. "He would not be denied the world title."

The WBA has mandated that Rivera fight No. 1 rated Thomas Daamgard within 120 days of capturing the title and there is a possibility that Rivera-Daamgard may be held at the Worcester Centrum.

Jose became Worcester's first world professional boxing champion since Lou Broullard, who captured the world welterweight title in 1931 (vs. Young Jack Thompson) and middleweight crown in 1933 (vs. Ben Jerby).

In addition to being a pro boxer, Rivera is a fulltime security guard at the Worcester County Juvenile Court. He moved to Worcester in 1989 and lives there with his son, 10-year-old Anthonee. Jose is actively involved in his community, particularly as an advocate of Y.E.S. (Youth Education on Success), for which he and members of the Worcester Police gang unit speak with school children about the importance of education, goal-setting, staying off drugs and out of gangs.

Last year, Jose was inducted into the Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame for his work and accomplishments. He is a board member for the Boys & Girls Club and Kid's Café, which is a non-profit charity that feeds children twice a week at the Boys & Girls Club.

For more information about this event call Phil Niddrie, Chief Development Officer for the City of Worcester, at 508.799.1175 or Steve Sargent at 508.735.5175.