GB's Whittaker produces impressive win on US debut
Ben Whittaker marked his American debut with a second-round TKO victory over Richard Rivera at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Great Britain's Ben Whittaker made a stunning first impression on American soil, defeating Richard Rivera by technical knockout in the second round at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Whittaker, known as 'The Surgeon', dropped Rivera with a right hand at the end of the first round, though Rivera claimed the punch landed on the back of his head. In the second round, Whittaker landed a left hand that sent Rivera to the canvas again. Although Rivera managed to get to his feet, the referee stopped the light-heavyweight bout.
The win improves Whittaker's record to 12 wins and one draw from 13 professional fights. Rivera suffered his third loss in 30 career bouts.
On the undercard, Xander Zayas tasted his first defeat, losing to Jaron Ennis via seventh-round stoppage. Ennis, who remains unbeaten at 36-0, knocked Zayas down three times before the referee intervened.
