Gilbert Rivera

Gilbert Lenin Castillo Rivera, born on August 21, 1988, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is a professional boxer competing in the light heavyweight division. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches. Growing up in Santo Domingo, Castillo began boxing at a young age and trained at the Julito López Club in Los Mina under the guidance of coach Papito Pujols. His dedication to the sport led him to represent the Dominican Republic at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, competing in the welterweight category. He faced Ukraine’s Oleksandr Stretskyy in his opening match but narrowly lost with a score of 6-9.

Turning professional in 2010, Castillo quickly made a name for himself. His early career included notable victories such as a first-round knockout against Ruddy Hernandez in Miami, Florida, and a second-round knockout over Ricardo Campillo in Hollywood, Florida. However, in November 2014, he faced his first professional defeat to Joseph Williams by majority decision in Miami.

Despite this setback, Castillo continued to compete at a high level. In May 2015, he secured a unanimous decision victory over Aaron Quattrocchi in Miami. He went on to challenge Dmitry Bivol for the WBA (Super) light-heavyweight title on October 12, 2019, in Chicago, Illinois, though he lost by unanimous decision.
In January 2025, Castillo faced Najee Lopez for the vacant WBA Continental North America light heavyweight title at the ProBox TV Events Center in Plant City, Florida. He lost the bout by sixth-round technical knockout.

In his personal life, Castillo is married to Lisvel Eve. He currently resides in Miami, Florida, USA. A cultural hub for his native Caribbean culture.

Castillo Rivera represents the pinnacle of Caribbean boxing’s rhythmic and lateral style, merging the fluidity of Spanish fencing-inspired footwork with an unparalleled level of African cardio and conditioning. His fighting style is an elegant blend of cultural influences, combining precise movement, unpredictable angles, and relentless stamina to overwhelm opponents in the ring.

At the core of Rivera’s success is his ability to control the rhythm of the fight through lateral movement. Embracing the traditional Caribbean emphasis on smooth, side-to-side footwork, Rivera disrupts his opponents’ rhythm, using sharp pivots and swift changes in direction to create openings. His footwork mirrors the syncopated beats of Afro-Caribbean music, with sudden bursts of speed and movement that keep his opponents guessing.

He approaches each fight like a calculated chess match, biding his time to exploit weaknesses. Much like a jazz musician building towards a crescendo, Rivera starts slow, feeling out his opponent and setting traps before unleashing power.He doesn’t just fight—he dances, weaves, and attacks.