Neil Rivers

Neil Rivers was born on May 14, 1934 in Montgomery, Alabama and lived much of his adult life in Las Vegas. He fought only once in Buffalo. Still local boxing historian Joe Masella claims that River lived in Niagara Fall during his career and that he also trained in Niagara Falls in preparations for some of his fights.

Rivers defeated the veteran Charlie Salas in a pair of fights in 1956. In that same year he decisioned Charley Green to win the California State Middleweight championship. This was in the midst of a 15 match-winning streak. Two years later he TKO’d Tony Dupas in the second round. In February, 1958 Rivers was rated #8 in the Middleweight Division. In the same year Rivers lost a pair of decisions to Bobby Boyd. In his biggest fight Neil lost a 10-round decision to Gene Fullmer. Just six months prior to this fight, Fullmer had lost his Middleweight title to Sugar Ray Robinson. Rivers also lost a decision and was TKO’d in the third-round by top contender Spider Webb.

Neil Rivers’ boxing career extended from July of 1952 to May of 1962. He concluded his career with a pair of defeats in Germany. His final record was 47-18-3. Rivers died on Christmas Day in 1987 following kidney surgery in Los Angeles.

Neil Rivers

May 14,1934 – December 25, 1987

Top Middleweight Contender 1952- 1962

California Middleweight Champion in 1956

47 (25) - 18 (8) - 3

Ranked #8 in Middleweight Division in 1958

Rivers fought champion Gene Fullmer and top Contenders Charlie Salas, Tony Dupas and Bobby Boyd (2), Spider Webb (2) and Eddie Cotton