Yankiel Rivera very clearly made the right career move.
BoxingScene has confirmed that the rapidly rising Puerto Rican contender is set to face Venezuela’s Angelino Cordova. The pair of unbeaten flyweights will vie for the interim WBA title atop an August 23 Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) show from Caribe Royale Orlando in Orlando, Florida.
The show will also include a 10-round WBA regional junior welterweight title fight between former title challengers Jamaine Ortiz, 19-2-1 (12 KOs) and Steve Claggett, 39-8-2 (27 KOs).
“MVP Fight Night in Orlando represents our continued commitment to delivering world-class boxing events that spotlight emerging global talent,” MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian said in a joint statement provided to BoxingScene. “Our newest signee Yankiel Rivera, a rising star from Puerto Rico with the potential to become one of the sport’s next great champions, will make his MVP debut in the main event.
“Jamaine Ortiz vs. Steve Claggett will be a high-stakes clash between two of the top contenders at 140lbs looking to break into the world title conversation. We’re proud to showcase this caliber of talent live on DAZN and look forward to announcing additional matchups in the coming weeks.”
The event will mark Rivera’s first fight since signing with MVP earlier this month. The 27-year-old from Toa Alta, P.R. –guided by manager Peter Kahn and head trainer Javiel Centeno - has already secured a secondary title fight straight out the gate, in just his eighth pro fight.
The winner will become one of two mandatory challengers in waiting for unified WBC/WBA flyweight champ Kenshiro Teraji, 25-1 (16 KOs).
Rivera, 7-0 (3 KOs) represented Puerto Rico during the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He remained in the amateur ranks for the balance of 2021 before he and his team decided to turn pro.
He’s remained perfect thus far and was advanced to 10-round regional title bouts by his fifth pro outing. The upcoming clash with Cordova, 19-0-1 (12 KOs) carries a common theme in Rivera’s career, facing an opponent with far more pro experience.
Cordova not only represents Rivera’s fourth unbeaten opponent – all within a five-fight span – but has already challenged for a major title.
He was considered unlucky to come up just short against then WBC flyweight titlist Julio Cesar Martinez last March 30 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cordova was floored twice in the third round, the difference on the scorecards as he initially lost a majority decision.
The verdict was changed to a No-Contest when Martinez tested positive for a banned diuretic. Cordova’s unbeaten record was restored and his since added an eight-round win last December 6 in Caguas. It came one night before Rivera’s most recent start, a fourth-round knockout of unbeaten Angel Gonzalez last December 7 in San Juan.
The separation was a fitting entry in their shared history, where they’ve circled one another but now finally collide in the ring.
“I remember Angelino from the amateurs, although our paths never crossed,” noted Rivera. “Angelino is an extraordinary fighter who has all my respect. I’m training accordingly, and it’ll be an honor to share the ring with him and fight for that belt.
“You can be sure of one thing, I’ve been preparing for this moment since I first put a pair of gloves. The belt and the opponent I’m facing only fuel my hunger for working hard and win. I hope Angelino is also training at full capacity. We’ll surely bring a great show. But in the end, only one hand will be raised and that hand will be mine.”
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on and .