Rivera responded with strong confidence regarding his training and preparation.
"I've been doing this my whole life, and it's about time all that hard work pays off," said Rivera.
When questioned about his tactical approach, Rivera kept his strategy direct.
"Plan A is to knock him out. Plan B is simply to give him a beating," said Rivera.
Former boxer Gabe Rosado warned Ring Magazine that Rivera possesses legitimate knockout power that could jeopardize Whittaker if the favorite loses focus.
"This might be a sleeper. If Ben ain’t on his P’s and Q’s, I can see ‘Popeye’ knocking out Ben.
Popeye got power. He got pop and can punch.
He’s got the basics and fundamentals," said Rosado.
Rosado recalled firsthand experience of Rivera's hitting power during a prior training camp in Puerto Rico.
"I was working with him in Puerto Rico, and we were sparring. He hit me with a shot, and I said, ‘Ooh.
I got to get on my P’s and Q’s real quick because he got some pop,'" said Rosado.
Rosado also critiqued Whittaker's defensive habits, arguing the Olympic medalist leaves his chin exposed because previous opposition failed to punish the mistake.
"I don’t like his defense.
The thing is, his chin is up in the air, and he’s not fighting guys that are making him pay for those mistakes," said Rosado.
He concluded that Whittaker must become sharper as he transitions into facing higher-caliber opposition.
"Yeah, you can get away with those against regular competition. But once you step your game up, you’ve got to be sharper.
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He’s got the swag, he’s got the star qualities," said Rosado.
