Just had a skim through the thread, can't believe the craziness read on here sometimes. Rivas only got made final eliminator after the fight was made. He didn't even have to fight Rivas, he could have waited it out like others have done. It was only in the days prior to the fight it was confirmed it would be for the mandatory.
Look if we look at Whyte's history we see he isn't a ducking type of fighter, he's fought AJ who Wilder and Fury refused to fight, Wilder in particular as we know, he fought Parker who was a former world champion, he fought Chisora the 2nd time after a hugely tough first fight with him and Chisora was in career best shape for that 2nd fight, he fought Rivas who was undefeated and actually very good, no old man shyt, a fighter in their prime coming off a good win, he also has offered Wilder the fight and he was willing to fight Fury.
Whyte isn't technically the best fighter, he's improved though still has flaws but 1 thing you can never say about him is that he ducks anybody, he's been willing to fight absolutely everybody in the division, even Ortiz who haters cite he's factually offered the fight to twice, on both occasions Ortiz turned it down.
Ultimately the fighters willing to fight everybody are the ones I respect win, lose or draw, the duckers, dodgers and cherry pickers not so much. There's no shame in losing if you try your best, but is shameful to not even try and avoid fighters while claiming you're the man.