Rivera then embarked on another winning streak, which included a second-round knockout over Argentine hopeful Fabian Tejada on March 6, 1995, in Inglewood, California.
Soon after defeating Johnny Valentin by a first-round knockout on September 30, 2002 in Hatillo, Puerto Rico, as part of a tournament named the world television Hispanic tournament, Rivera was diagnosed with an undisclosed disease, having to retire from boxing for good.