Boxing
Whyte expects 'hard' test against unbeaten Rivas
Dillian Whyte says his unbeaten heavyweight opponent Oscar Rivas will be feeling "unstoppable" and will pose a big threat.
The 31-year-old British fighter is looking to keep his world title ambitions on track when he faces the Colombian at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday night.
However, despite having defeated former world champions Lucas Browne and Joseph Park since his solitary professional loss against Anthony Joshua in December 2015, Whyte recognises Rivas could represent one of his toughest opponents to date.
The 32-year-old Rivas has 26 professional wins, 18 via stoppages, including a 12th-round knockout of American Bryant Jennings last time out in January.
Whyte told Sky Sports: "How well do I cope under pressure? How well do I cope with a different style?
"He's undefeated, a top amateur, and you can see he's got a certain spark in his eye. He's got that arrogance of never losing.
"He's thinking, 'I've been in the ring 26 times, I've defeated 26 opponents'. He feels unstoppable right now."
Whyte is aware a win could move him within touching distance of a showdown against WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder but is refusing to overlook Rivas.
He added: "When you've got a dangerous opponent who can bust you up, it's easy to focus on that. Whatever I was doing tomorrow or the day after, or the world title, that is tomorrow. This is today.
"When you've got danger in front of you, you need to deal with it. To defeat someone who is undefeated, it's very hard."
Craig Smithson is a journalist with over two decades of experience at the keyboard. A life-long Middlesbrough fan, Craig has an in-depth knowledge of all football and is also a keen fan of boxing amongst other sports.
