{"id":279984,"date":"2026-06-27T18:11:54","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T18:11:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/279984\/"},"modified":"2026-06-27T18:11:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T18:11:54","slug":"rosado-claims-popeye-rivera-can-knock-out-ben-whittaker-in-brooklyn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/279984\/","title":{"rendered":"Rosado Claims ‘Popeye’ Rivera Can Knock Out Ben Whittaker In Brooklyn"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u201cI was working with him in Puerto Rico, and we were sparring. He hit me with a shot, and I said, \u2018Ooh. I got to get on my P\u2019s and Q\u2019s real quick because he got some pop,’\u201d said Gabe.<\/p>\n

Max Kellerman agreed Rivera carries legitimate power, joking that Whittaker could be in trouble if Rivera\u2019s corner \u201cpops a can of spinach\u201d during the fight, referencing the challenger\u2019s \u201cPopeye\u201d nickname.<\/p>\n

When the discussion turned to Whittaker\u2019s defense, Rosado was even more critical. While Kellerman pointed out that the Olympic silver medalist has consistently made opponents miss, Rosado argued his defensive habits have yet to be punished because of the level of opposition.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like his defense. The thing is, his chin is up in the air, and he\u2019s not fighting guys that are making him pay for those mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rosado believes those habits become increasingly dangerous as the competition improves.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you can get away with those against regular competition. But once you step your game up, you\u2019ve got to be sharper. He\u2019s got the swag, he\u2019s got the star qualities,\u201d said Rosado.<\/p>\n

Whittaker (11-0-1, 8 KOs) faces Rivera (27-2, 20 KOs) on Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The 10-round light heavyweight contest is part of the DAZN Pay-Per-View undercard headlined by the unified junior middleweight title fight between Xander Zayas and Jaron \u201cBoots\u201d Ennis.<\/p>\n

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