Exclusive Boxing Interview: Jerson Ravelo – Rising From The Ashes

Rewind back to 2002 and Jerson Ravelo was one of the hottest Super Middleweight prospects in the game. His amateur credentials come equip with numerous awards, highlighted by winning the 1998 Golden Gloves Championship and a earning a spot on the 2000 Dominican Republic Olympic boxing team. He turned pro in 2001 and started his career by winning 13 straight, most notably an impressive victory over George Walton on Shobox in 2002

which earned Jerson a top 10 ranking in the division. Then injuries crept their ugly face into the phenoms career. Ravelo missed all of 2003 after back surgery. He briefly returned in 2004 only to suffer an upset loss on Friday Night Fights and then brake his hand soon after which required! 2 more surgeries. Fast forward to 2006, not many people are talking about Jerson Ravelo but hopefully he is going to change that real soon. The hand is healed, the back is in good shape and he says he is ready to make a major splash on the boxing scene. Saddo boxing recently caught up with the 14 – 1 (9) Ravelo who restarts his journey of becoming a champion this Thursday in Manhattan on a DiBella Entertainment card.
 
SaddoBoxing: Jerson, Thanks for taking the time to speak with us today.
 
Jerson Ravelo: No Problem Keith, thanks for calling
 
SB: Let’s get started, what have you been doing for the past year and a half?
 
JR: Waiting for the right opportunity to present itself, I worked in Hopkins camp for the Taylor fight, also worked with Tarver for Jones III
 
SB: Bernard and Tarver are going to fight in June, who do you think will come out on top?
 
JR: I can?t answer that but I can say Bernard?s camp was harder
 
SB:  What did you get out of working with Bernard and Tarver?
 
JR:I  put in some rounds with both of them. It made me realize I can hang with these guys and that I am ready for a major fight.
 
SB: But you turned down a chance to fight USBA Super Middleweight Champion Yusef Mack a few months back.
 
JR: Yes I did. Had I been training I would have taken it. Never did I think that I couldn’t beat him but it just wasn?t the right move at the time. Who did Yusef fight last?
 
SB: Tim Shocks.
 
JR: Yeah, I was going to fight Tim Shocks when I was like 7- 0. I know Yusef?s a good fighter and all from the Hopkins camp but come on, you gotta step up the competition and see what you really got. If they call again I will definitely take it. No Doubt I would beat Yusef.
 
SB: I think you 2 would make for a really good fight. How is the hand & back, do you think you are back to your previous form?
 
JR: Before I wasn?t ready mentally when I returned, after the 2 surgeries I felt like I wasn?t good enough. Then I lost to a guy I shouldn’t have lost to. Now I feel great and am ready to become a champion.
 
SB: For those of us who haven?t had a chance to see you in the ring, what is your style?
 
JR: I?m a boxer / puncher. If a guy runs from me I?m gonna hunt him down. If someone tries to attack me I’m gonna make him look stupid. The way Calzaghe fought Lacy is the same fight I would used against Jeff, except that I would have put him out.
 
SB: Where do you see your career going within the next year? What are your short term goals?
 
JR: I am scheduled to fight March 9th on a DiBella card in Manhattan, and again on the 29th. I am going to Dominican soon too which will feel good to go back to my homeland for a fight. I am looking to stay active and get in position for a title fight. My goals include not letting what happened to me early in my career happen again, I felt I was a bit mismanaged early. I’m a free agent right now. I want to be a part of a team, get some fights and get my name back out there. If I have to manage myself so be it, either way I’m trying to get fights. I’m not after the money, I want to become champion, but then again I don’t want to be stuck in a contract for 10 years and I can’t get out of it.
 
SB: Is there anyone in particular that you’re aiming for?
 
JR: I’d love to fight Lacy again; I beat him three times and only have one decision to show for it. We both have one loss on the pro record now; it would be a good fight. I am ready to take on anyone 160 though.
 
SB: Is there anything else that you’d like to say?
 
JR: Thanks everyone who been there for him, have people in business who kept in contact while I was gone, to those who thought I was retired, I?m not retired, you?re gonna see a lot of Jerson Ravelo in the near future.
 
SB: Thanks a lot Jerson; I want that exclusive when you win the title!