SportBoxingBoxingBen Whittaker will fight in America for the first time against Richard Rivera and an early knockout will make the sort of statement which is needed to leave a lasting impression10:44, 26 Jun 2026The Americans are already underpricing Ben Whittaker, dismissing him as an over-rated showpony.‌You only get one chance to make a first impression and Whittaker has all the motivation he needs to make an example of Richard Rivera on his American debut in New York.‌Whittaker appears on a Barclays Centre bill topped by Jaron Boots Ennis, who moves up to super welterweight to challenge WBA/WBO champion Xander Zayas. Rivera has already called out Whittaker’s style, claiming the cocky stuff is really a disguise to hide his fear. And yes, he is going to expose him.‌It’s true the Americans don’t know what to make of Whittaker. The showy stuff is generally a turn off for them, unless you are a Sugar Ray Leonard, a Floyd Mayweather Jnr or a Muhammad Ali.Whittaker is still learning. He is a great talent, an Olympic silver medalist, but as a pro his journey is only just beginning. So this is an important step for him. He needs to feel comfortable out there and to prove that he is as good as he says he is.Rivera has a plausible record, if built against journeymen and novices. His most notable result was a split-decision loss to Badou Jack four years ago, but that was at cruiserweight against a blown-up super-middle.‌His only other defeat came two years ago, a majority decision against novice Luis Antonio Tejeda. That tells me he is unlikely to be as threatening in the ring as he has been in front of the media.My advice to Whittaker is to keep it simple. He doesn’t have to change the way he fights, just stop the kidology. That means when the bell goes get out into the middle of the ring and get this guy out of there.‌He needs to show the New York crowd that he can be ruthless as well as cocky, and the way to do that is with an early stoppage. There is no better message than that.Don’t forget America is the home of the showman, the nation of Sugar Ray Robinson, Leonard, Hector Camacho, Pernell Whittaker, Roy Jones Jnr.Whittaker is unlikely to be offering anything they haven’t seen before. But he does have the opportunity to surprise, to stun them with his authority and power.Article continues belowBeing a Flash Harry won’t win over the New York crowd. A knock out might.Follow Barry on X at @‌ClonesCyclone @mcguigan’s_GymBarry McGuiganNumber one for boxingChoose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Boxing