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return to boxer/articles directory"The Pride of Newark, New Jersey" Jerson Ravelo is BACK
By Danny Serratelli
The pride of Newark New Jersey, super-middleweight Jerson Ravelo, (14-1, 9 KO’s) made his return to the ring after suffering his first defeat as a professional in April. In Ravelo’s first fight back he did not look to ease back and take an easy opponent. After going to fight in upset artist David Lopez’s back yard in his last fight, a fight that was scheduled for 10, but ended when the referee stopped it at the end of the 9th round, he went into Muhammad Said’s (16-1, 10 KO’s) back yard in Las Vegas for his return to the ring.
Back in April, Ravelo had several factors working against him, and did not appear to be himself or fight his fight for most of the night against Lopez. After several injuries, and several trainers, it appeared that Jerson was back last night. He abandoned the unfamiliar style he employed in the Lopez fight and returned to his familiar style of boxer-puncher, and as a result he easily controlled the action with a smooth jab, and powerful right hand. Said to his credit, came to fight. He was at a reach disadvantage and apparently outgunned, but tried to get inside and fight. Ravelo, who likes to mix it up, showed his experience, ring intelligence and exceptional speed and did what he wanted to do. While Said landed a few decent right hands, they were few and far between. Ravelo controlled the action for the full 10 rounds, and landed the right hand with power several times in the fight.
Ravelo had no problem going 10 rounds for the first time and appeared to win just about every round. Despite dominating most of the rounds, the Las Vegas judges made everyone cringe again when a majority decision was announced, 98-92 and 97-93 for Ravelo with the third judge calling it even at 95-95.
Obviously, Ravelo, who was the first 2000 Olympian to reach 10 victories, is eager to get back in the mix of things with fellow 2000 Olympians, Jeff Lacy and Jermain Taylor. Although Ravelo only has15 pro fights, he had 110 amateur fights, and beat Jeff Lacy as an amateur.
