True Sportsmanship in Boxing: Lightweight Prospect Michel Rivera Returns Confiscated Purse Money to Courageous Opponent After Stoppage Victory

An unusual feel-good story is coming out of Dominican lightweight Michel “La Zarza” Rivera’s fifth-round stoppage of California veteran Jose Luis Gallegos on PBC On Fox last Saturday night at the Rabobank Theater in Bakersfield.

At the pre-fight weigh-in the day before the fight, Rivera (17-0, 11 KO) made weight, but Gallegos (16-8, 12 KO) came in slightly over the contracted weight of 136. Under California rules, he had two hours to make weight. He was not able to and faced a total fine of $1600 from his purse, half of which went to the commission and half to Rivera.

Well aware of the torture fighters go through to make weight and seeing Gallegos’ honest effort to lose the extra pound, Rivera vowed not to accept the money, but was told by the state it was already added to his check.

The fight went ahead with Rivera dominating all five rounds and landing over 50% of his punches to the ultra-tough Gallegos’ head and body. While the courageous Gallegos was never down or visibly in trouble from the onslaught, referee Marcos Rosales stopped the one-sided bout before round six to prevent further damage.

True to his word after the bout, the 21-year-old prospect Rivera personally visited Gallegos’ dressing room and handed him back the $800 he had gained from the State’s fines.

Battered and swollen from a hematoma on his forehead from a clash of heads, the grateful Gallegos happily accepted the uncommon gesture of sportsmanship.