Rivera’s Knockdown and Córdova’s Rally Left the Interim
Yankiel Rivera and Angelino Córdova fought to a majority draw on August 23, 2025, at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. Their twelve-round contest ended with scores of 115–111 for Córdova and 113–113 twice, leaving the WBA interim flyweight championship vacant.
Rivera’s precision produced the early breakthrough
Rivera entered as the WBA’s top-ranked contender, with Córdova ranked second. The Puerto Rican Olympian relied on accuracy and sharp combinations against a Venezuelan opponent who preferred pressure and a higher volume of punches.
A fourth-round combination dropped Córdova and gave Rivera a significant scoring moment. Córdova recovered, however, and continued working forward rather than allowing the knockdown to determine the entire fight.
A point deduction complicated the comeback
Córdova was penalized in the sixth round for striking behind Rivera’s head. That deduction added another obstacle as he tried to recover ground on the scorecards after the earlier knockdown.
The exchanges remained awkward and physical, with clinches and head clashes requiring repeated intervention. Córdova used body attacks and his persistent forward movement to make the later rounds increasingly demanding.
Two even cards prevented an interim champion
One judge favored Córdova by four points, but the other two saw an even contest. With no majority for either boxer, the official outcome was a draw and neither man received the vacant championship.
Rivera left with a record of seven wins and one draw, while Córdova stood at nineteen wins and two draws. Both remained unbeaten after a contest in which the knockdown and penalty carried major scoring consequences.
Sources
- WBA: vacant title, styles and official scores
- MVP press release: fourth-round knockdown, sixth-round deduction and records
- Fightmag: August 23 Orlando event date
