By Jose "OnFire" Aguirre

The career of Jose Antonio Rivera (38-5, 24KOs) is a fair mix of highs and lows. A two-division champion with a heavy following in Worcester, MA., Rivera suffered the first knockout loss of his career when he was dominated by unbeaten Travis Simms in January, losing his WBA junior middleweight title in the process.

Currently making plans for a speedy return to the ring, Rivera sat down with krikya360.com to discuss his future.

krikya360.com: Share with us your feelings of possibly coming back to perform in your hometown of  Worcester, Mass? 

Rivera: I am very excited, but I think it is still a little premature because I have not gotten the ok from Don king yet to be able to move forward to make the fight happen.  If King says yes look for an explosion in my next fight I am promising my fans an explosion. 

krikya360.com: We know your last fight didn't turn out the way you would have liked but how have the people of Worchester supported you since? 

Rivera: The people in Worcester call me champ.  To them I will always be a champ.  The last time Worcester had a world champion before me was 70 years ago, so I can understand where their love and support comes from.  

krikya360.com: Give us your opinion of Travis Simms as a fighter/champion?

Rivera: Simms is a very good fighter and if he stays active I think he will be a very good champion, he is 35 and turning 36 soon and you know what they say time is not on our side, but I wish him the best.  

krikya360.com: What do you know and what can you tell the fans about the DCU Center, Exibition Hall in Worcester,Mass? 

Rivera: The exibition hall is a smaller venue then the DCU itself and it holds about 4,500 people.  I will be looking for a sell out crowd and an explosive performance on my end regardless of who they put in front of me. 

krikya360.com: Your last fight was nationally televised, how do you feel knowing that they are trying to secure your next fight for a possible ESPN date? 

Rivera: It has been a while since I fought on ESPN and even though it is not SHOWTIME like my last two fights have been it is National TV and it will help me with getting the exposure that has been lacking me in my entire career. 

krikya360.com: Names that are being put out there are the likes of Hercules Kyvelos, Yori Boy Campas, Andrey Tsurkan and Santiago Samaniego. Give us your thoughts on these names/fighters? 

Rivera: Well like I mentioned before the fight is not a done deal yet, so I do not want any of these fighters seeing this interview and saying I do not know anything about fighting Jose Antonio Rivera.  I will wait until everything gets finalized and we have an opponent and then I will give you my opinion on that opponent.   

krikya360.com: Yori Boy Campas' last fight was a grueling one againt Irish John Duddy. Did you see that war and what do you think Campos can bring to the table to war against you? 

Rivera: I actually didn't see the fight, but I know that Campas is a tough fighter with a warriors mentality.  If you fight Campas you know that you better be prepared.  I know that I will be prepared if me and Campas was to meet and I will win by late stoppage or unanimous decision. 

krikya360.com: Andrey Tsurkan has a win over Hector Camacho Jr. Other that that, do you know anything about Andrey? 

Rivera: I know nothing about this guy, but a win over Camacho is nothing to brag about.  Camacho was overrated because of his dad, but Tsurkan can still be a good fighter. I have just never seen him before. 

krikya360.com: Ricardo Mayorga says Fernando Vargas is scared to fight him. Is Mayorga someone you would like to face? 

Rivera: This is a fight I have been trying to make for a long time especially after  Mayorga ducked me in April of 2004.  I would also love an opportunity to fight Vargas if he was game and up to the challange.

krikya360.com: How anxious are you to get back in the ring? 

Rivera: Very anxious, I cant wait. I have so much I want to prove even though I am a three time world champion in two different divisions.

krikya360.com: How have you been keeping busy and are you back in the gym? 

Rivera: I have been keeping myself busy working my home based Usana business which allows me to help people with their health issues while I am making money too. I love this business. I want to share Usana with everybody because they are the best company out there and I will be more then happy to prove it.  I also want to thank you for allowing me the time to share this.  I am back in the gym also and staying in shape just in case a good opportunity comes my way. 

krikya360.com: How proud are you of your career and your accomplishments in the sport? 

Rivera: I would have to say that I am very proud with my accomplishments in the sport of boxing, but I am still not satisfied with what I have accomplished.  There is still more I want to do before I hang up the gloves for good.

krikya360.com: Thanks for your time Jose. Is there anything you want to leave us with? Talk to your fans. 

Rivera: I am a blessed individual because I have had the opportunity to live and accomplish my dreams and I want to thank GOD for that.  I also want to thank my fans for for their support through all the up and downs in my boxing career, thanks for sticking by me.  Oh yeah and if you are interested in knowing more about Usana Health Sciences go to my site at    Thanks and GOD bless.