Junior featherweight contender Mikiah Kreps faces Mayerlin Rivas tonight in Niagara Falls
Mikiah Kreps is on the cusp of a world title fight. Beating a strong opponent and former world title challenger could go a long way in making that happen.
Kreps will face Mayerlin Rivas on Friday night at the Seneca Niagara Hotel and Casino in Kreps’ hometown of Niagara Falls, New York. The 10-round bout will headline the All Star Boxing card that will air live on ESPN Knockout (8 pm ET/ 6 pm Mexico City time).
Promoting Tuto Zabala, Jr. impressed with Kreps’ progress and development in becoming a contender in the competitive junior featherweight division.
“Mikiah is ranked number 4 in the WBA and he is ranked number 5 in the WBO,” Zabala told The Ring on Wednesday afternoon. “Friday will be his fourth game in the game Seneca Fight Nights series on ESPN Knockout.
“His opponents were very difficult in each fight. He now faces former two-weight world champion Mayerlin. (Promoter) Lou DiBella and I agreed to work together and guide his path to the top of the world. He has a tough job, but we are confident that he will emerge victorious and finally fight for the world title belt here at home, the Seneca Resort and Casino in Niagara Falls, New York.
Manager Jerry Cazarez agrees. He co-owns Kreps with former WBO world lightweight champion Jamel Herring.
“This is an important fight against the former world champion,” Cazarez told The Ring Wednesday. “Winning here puts him in a position to follow. He is good and I expect him to dominate.”
Kreps (8-0, 3 knockouts) last fought on May 10, defeating Melissa Oddessa Parker by unanimous decision. In her last fight on November 7, Kreps defeated Isis Vargas Perez by decision in eight competitive rounds.
The 28-year-old has been outstanding, including a first-place finish at the 2018 Elite National Championships, a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships, and was ranked No. 1 in USA Boxing.
Rivas (17-5-3, 11 KOs) will be a big step up against Kreps. Rivas won the WBA junior featherweight world title in February 2020, defeating Laura Ledezma by unanimous decision. Rivas earned a knockout victory over Karina Fernandez at 2022 and a draw against Nazarena Romero before losing to Erika Hernandez Cruz via majority decision on November 18.
The 36-year-old Rivas, who lives in Caracas, Venezuela, also held the world title at 118 kilograms.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has handled boxing in Southern California and internationally since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. They can be reached at [email protected]
