RAGE IN THE CAGE REPORT
Posted on | June 20, 2008 | No Comments
GRUDGE Fight wear Presents
DESERT QUEST CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, June 21st 2008
BROADWAY RECREATION CENTER
59 E. Broadway Rd, Mesa
Weight-Ins start at 9:00am / Tournament starts 11:45pm
Event Directions to the tournament: From I-10 (North or South) -Take US 60 East – Take Ramp toward S. Country Club Dr. (AZ-87) – Go 0.3 mi – Turn left on S. Country Club Dr. – Go 1.4 mi – Turn Right on Broadway Rd. – Go 0.1 mi – Turn Right on Broadway Rd. – Go 0.6 mi – Arrive at 59 E. Broadway Rd. Mesa, on the right. From loop 101 (North or South) – Take ramp onto US-60 East – go 2.9 mi – Take Ramp toward S. Country Club Dr. (AZ-87) – Go 0.3 mi – Turn left on S. Country Club Dr. – Go 1.4 mi – Turn Right on Broadway Rd. – Go 0.1 mi – Turn Right on Broadway Rd. – Go 0.6 mi – Arrive at 59 E. Broadway Rd. Mesa, on the right..
For tournament information:
Please contact (602) 319-0797 or E-mail: grapplegirl@hotmail.com
www.desertquestchampionship.com / www.rageinthecage.com
“Well DESERT QUEST COMPETITIORS if you want to get in on the action or just want a continuous update on DESERT QUEST Championship upcoming events then add DESERT QUEST to your my space friends list. You can fin us at myspace@desertquestchampionship.com we’re looking forward to your requests.”
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Next RAGE IN THE CAGE events:
July 26th at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott, Arizona
Aug 2nd at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico
For fight information OR interested in competing tune to www.rageinthecage.com
Tags: fights on tv > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Rage int he cage
66 Kilo “Kid Dynamite” Jake Deitchler added to Saturday’s TDR Lineup
Posted on | June 20, 2008 | No Comments
Portions Reprinted from Sport’s Illustrated article of 6/23/08-
Jake Deitchler will join us on this Saturday’s Takedown Wrestling Radio.
No victor was more unlikely than Deitchler, who competes at 145.5 pounds and is the first high schooler to make the U.S. Olympic wrestling team in 28 years. Deitchler kept coming from behind to win at the trials. On Saturday he dropped the first period 5–0 to two-time world bronze medalist Harry Lester but bounced back with 5–2 and 5–3 victories in the last two, thanks to a key reverse lift turn in the closing seconds of the final period. A medal favorite for Beijing, Lester, 24, instead stunned the wrestling community by leaving his shoes on the center of the mat after his win in a third-place consolation bout, signaling his retirement. “I told myself I’d do that if I lost,” Lester said. “This kid’s not going anywhere.”
In Saturday’s best-of-three finals, Deitchler dropped the opening period of the first match to Faruk Sahin but rallied to win the next two. In the second match Deitchler fell behind again but wore the 32-year-old Sahin down, scoring with a reversal, a throw and a front headlock turn to pull out a victory. “I guess I’m too young and ignorant to know what I can’t do,” Deitchler said.
His win vindicated Paulson, who had retired from competition after losing an epic overtime match to Dennis Hall at the 2004 trials. When a dejected Paulson returned home to Minnesota, Todd Springer, the coach at Anoka (Minn.) High, was waiting in his driveway. “You have to see this [Deitchler] kid,” he said. “There’s never been anyone like him.” Paulson had no intention of coaching. “What the heck can I do for him?” he asked. “Make him into a champion,” Springer replied. “The next Brandon Paulson.”
Paulson began supplementing Springer’s team coaching of Deitchler at Anoka with individual workouts. And Deitchler’s enthusiasm rekindled Paulson’s competitive fire. Off the mat the pair engaged in marathon bouts of foosball, Ping-Pong, even contests to see who could sit in the sauna the longest. “He makes me a better coach,” says Paulson. “I have to study so I always have something new for him.”
Deitchler ran off a 111-match win streak in folk-style high school wrestling, which, unlike Greco-Roman, allows holds below the waist. He’s versatile and a fast learner. He and Paulson began practicing a new front headlock last week for the first time, and Deitchler used one in his rally against Lester. “[Paulson] tells me the other guys will be stronger,” says the comparatively wiry Deitchler, “but big muscles get tired faster.”
At the junior worlds in Beijing last summer, Paulson stood at the Great Wall with Jake’s father, Jason, a former Minnesota state champion wrestler. “Does Jake have a chance to make [the Olympic] team by 2012?” Jason asked. “He’d be [only] 22,” Paulson replied. “It might be a while before he really makes noise.”
The shouting has already begun.
BILL C MORNING BOXING SHOW STARTS MONDAY ON GOFIGHTLIVE.TV
Posted on | June 20, 2008 | No Comments
THIS MONDAY—HISTORY WILL BE MADE WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE BILLY C MORNING SHOW EXCLUSIVELY ON WWW.GOFIGHTLIVE.TV
This Monday fans will get to listen to a first of its kind daily morning show that focuses on the world of boxing
New York (June 19, 2008)—This Monday morning, www.gofightlive.tv will add yet more innovative programming to its already impressive catalogue of shows.
The Billy C Morning show will debut at 6 am and will run daily, making it the first of its kind morning audio show that will delve solely into the world of boxing.
“This will be a show that will give boxing news and information in an entertaining way” said host Billy C.
“This show will have a variation of things such as top guests, insiders & journalists. This will be like a five hour show spread out over a week” continued Billy C.
The show will be a spinoff of Billy C’s very successful show, Talkin Boxing with Billy C that has been one of the most successful talk shows around on radio and the internet. His show is on terrestrial radio all over the country plus such outlets of www.gofightlive.tv, www.youbroadcast.com, and can be accessed through many of the top boxing websites in the world.
The Billy C Morning Show will debut Monday June 23rd at 6 am exclusively on www.gofightlive.tv and will be available throughout the day on the website.
Megadeth To Perform At Affliction Banned
Posted on | June 20, 2008 | No Comments
SIGNAL HILL, California (June 19, 2008) – Affliction Entertainment, scheduled to make MMA history on July 19th at Honda Center in Anaheim with the greatest line-up of mixed-martial-arts fights ever presented in one night, keeps building this event with the latest news—heavy metal band Megadeth, led by frontman, guitarist, and songwriter Dave Mustaine, will be performing live at the event.
The platinum selling band, Megadeth has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and will electrify the audience with a special highlight performance. Known for their distinctive, in-your-face guitar solos, snarling vocal style and dark lyrical themes, Megadeth is sure to resonate with the “Affliction Banned” fan base and intensify the already action-packed event.
“Affliction Banned”, a mixed-martial-arts pay-per-view event in association with Roy Englebrecht Events, features the much-anticipated return of Russian heavyweight superstar Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko, in association with M-1, and supported by an star studded undercard, July 19th at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Fedor (27-1), the former undisputed PRIDE® heavyweight champion and Russian M-1 legend, has been universally recognized for the past five years as the most dominating heavyweight in the world. He faces former two-time UFC® heavyweight title-holder Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia (24-4), fighting out of Iowa by way of his native Maine.
An impressive four-fight undercard will be loaded with Josh “The Baby Faced Assassin” Barnett (21-5) of Seattle facing off stateside for the first time in two years in a grudge match against the only opponent to ever knock him out—Brazilian strongman Pedro “The Rock” Rizzo (16-7).
Three-time All-American wrestler Mike Whitehead (20-5), of Salt Lake City will battle Brazilian sensation Renato “Babalu” Sobral (29-7) of Costa Mesa, California. 2000 Olympic Wrestling Silver Medalist Matt “The Law” Lindland (20-5) of Oregon City faces Brazilian favorite Fabio “Negao” Nascimento (8-3). Former IFL® titlist “Big” Ben Rothwell (29-5) of Kenosha, Wisconsin is scheduled to fight Andre “The Pitbull” Arlovski in this groundbreaking event.
Tickets for “Affliction Banned” range between $50.00 and $1,000.00 and are on sale at the Honda Center Box Office and also online at Ticketmaster.com.
To download all video, photos and PR-related media go to: http://www.afflictionbanned.com/media.html
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Tags: Affliction > Affliction Clothing > Anaheim Califrnia > Ben Rothwell > Fedor Emelianenko > heavy metal > Josh Barnett > Matt Lindland > Megadeth > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Nascimento > Pedro "The Rock" Rizzo > Sobral > Tim Sylvia
Casino Billionaire Lorenzo Fertitta Resigns Position to Work Full-Time With the UFC
Posted on | June 20, 2008 | 1 Comment
by: Jack Bratcher
According to a Yahoo Sports exclusive by Kevin Iole, Lorenzo Fertitta, the president of one of the most successful casino chains in Las Vegas, resigned his position with Station Casinos on Wednesday to work full-time with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Lorenzo Fertitta and brother Frank are some of the most successful businessmen on the planet and have been featured in Forbes Magzine as among the world’s wealthiest. The majority of the Fertitta’s wealth has stemmed from their casino empire although they also owned a large portion of the UFC along with Dana White. So it’s a pretty huge deal when a billionaire such as Lorenzo Fertitta quits his post as president of the Stations Casino chain and decides to devote his full time to help the UFC expand into international territory, which seems to be what his main focus will be. Apparantly the UFC has become so successful that this move for Lorenzo Fertitta became necessary.
The progress that Dana White has made for the company mostly by himself has been enormous, so it becomes almost mind-blowing to think what could be accomplished with Fertitta now on board full time. Lorenzo’s wife expressed her thoughts to Dana along those same lines, “The two of you together is scary.” From what they are saying, the UFC sounds like they are preparing for global domination with plans to hold events in Russia, China, South Korea, Japan, and Brazil.
Maybe the UFC could be the key to world peace. Foreign countries don’t always understand the language of diplomacy but every man on the planet can relate to fighting, struggle, and competition. Sports and the Olympics have already been a great way for countries to come together; maybe the UFC andd MMA could be the next step in that evolution. Who knows? After all, White is now saying this thing is gonna be bigger than the NFL.
For awhile there, rumors were floating around about the UFC being up for sale but it looks like with Lorenzo Fertitta now on board they are in for the long haul. That should be good news for UFC fans because you never know what to expect when new owners and management come in. The nerves of many an MMA fan were worried at the thought of a Vince McMahon taking over the UFC. Thankfully, that’s not the case. So from the looks of the current situation, MMA fans should be able to expect smooth sailing for years to come from the premiere Mixed Martial Arts organization in the world. There’s plenty of little puppies out there nipping at the heels; but there’s still only one Big Dog in this game.
Tags: casino > Dana White > Fertitta > Jack Bratcher > Lorenzo > UFC
Middleweights showcased on “Hassle In The Castle”
Posted on | June 19, 2008 | No Comments
Duddy-Howe headlining June 28th show in Boston
NEW YORK (June 19, 2008) – Middleweights will be showcased June 28 on “Hassle In The Castle,” presented by Irish Ropes Promotions, headlined by the 10-round main event between undefeated world middleweight contender “Ireland’s” John Duddy in his first fight with new head trainer in his corner, Pat Burns, against Charles Howe (17-4-2, 9 KOs), at The Castle in downtown Boston.
The WBC and WBO No. 2 rated Duddy (24-0, 17 KOs), a native of County Derry in N. Ireland, lives and fights out of Queens, New York, heads a stellar cast of 160-pounders on the card, including unbeaten rising star Donald Orr (12-0, 5 KOs), 2000 Canadian Olympian, and red-hot prospect Edwin Rodriguez (6-0, 5 KOs).
Orr, now living in South Boston, faces former Mexican Pacific Coast champion Roberto “El Viejo” Valenzuela (44-37-2, 37 KOs), in the 8-round co-feature. Valenzuela has been in against the likes of Andre Berto, Ben Tackie and Demetrius Hopkins, to name a few of the more notables.
In the chief supporting bout on the undercard, 2-time U.S. National amateur champion Rodriguez, of Worcester (MA), steps up in class to fight dangerous Hector Hernandez (10-2-2, 4 KOs) in a 6-round bout.
Also on the undercard in a pair of 6-rounders, Boston by way of Ireland cruiserweight Mark Clancy (7-0-1, 1 KO), 4-time Irish National amateur finalist, faces Salah Zabian (6-10, 4 KOs), of Lee (MA); Lynn (MA) junior welterweight Simeon Dunwell (7-0, 2 KOs) meets Aaron Drake (13-6, 9 KOs). Anthony Accardo (1-0, 1 KO) squares off against Brooklyn by way of Guyana junior welterweight Olade “One Shot” Thomas (1-3) in a 4-round match. Philadelphia junior lightweight Frank Trader (1-0, 0 KOs) is also slated to fight on the show. All bouts and fighters are subject to change.
Limited tickets are priced at $50.00 $75.00 and $100.00 and are available at The Kells (Jerry Quinn – 617.733.4535) in Allston, Porter Belly’s (Sean McCormack and Pat O’Sullivan – 617.254.3300) in Brighton, Shenanigans Bar & Grill (Shay Harris – 617.269.9509) in South Boston, and The Banshee Pub (617.436.9747). Tickets are also available at the usual Irish Ropes outlets in New York City and by going on line at www.irishropes.com. Doors open at 6:30 PM/ET, first bout at 7:30 PM/ET.
-IRP-
TUF SEMIFINALS REPORT
Posted on | June 19, 2008 | 1 Comment
TUF THOUGHTS: Semifinals – June 18, 2007
by: Jack Bratcher
[mpinpage]
C.B. Dolloway vs. Amir Sadollah to start off the show. Amir gave C.B. one helluva fight and basically owned him standing but C.B. would get that shot on him and take him down and lay on some good old fashioned lay and pray and some ground and pound but more of the former than the latter I think. I found myself rooting for Amir, just because probably few people gave him much of a chance and he started doing so well I couldn’t help myself. But Amir kept getting in too close, not sprawling and losing to the takedown. This whole fight was decided in the clinch. Amir could have won if…… Just “IF”. No need to even finish that sentence. There are so many “if’s” that he…….
And holy fucking shit he just beat C.B. Dolloway. He just fucking beat C.B. Dolloway; the golden boy; the favorite of the world. Amir just arm-barred C.B. Dolloway and made the wrestler tap out. I’m ecstatic. I even had Amir counted out as you can see by the first paragraph. I just kept seeing Amir barely missing these submissions, avoiding the takedown, then finally getting taken down. It just seemed like he was one step behind Dolloway. But Dolloway honestly looked tired and sluggish as the fight went on. Dolloway went for a rear naked choke but Amir escaped. But Amir pulled it off. Wow. I love a twist and that was a great one.
But it wasn’t the ONLY twist. The next twist was what the first finalist, Jesse Taylor did. He went to the Palace Station Casino, which I used to frequent myself, and he acted a damn fool. The show was over. He had made it to the finals and he decided to stay in Vegas a extra day or two. He and a few guys rented a limo and a room at the casino. Well Dana got a call from the casino saying they had some trouble from a guy who was claiming to be a UFC fighter. First of all, it was a Casino the Fertittas own. That was Jesse’s first mistake. Second mistake was he got caught on security video kicking out the window of the limo he had rented. Then he goes into the Casino and causes a big ruckus, “terrorizing the women” and trying to pull the “Do you know who I am?” routine on the security when they tried to put him out. Oh man. All I’m gonna say about that is that is some shitty damn luck. He just got too drunk and acted a damn fool and got caught. Bottom line….he got caught. However, Dana did tell him to call him in a few months that as of now he’s not mentally ready to be in the UFC. To paraphrase, Dana said “if you gonna act like this and you’re not even in yet, what are you gonna do if you get in and start getting the fame and the women and the money? You wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
However, Dana did tell Jesse to give him a call in a few months so I do expect to see Jesse Taylor fighting in the UFC in the future. Jesse looks like a cross between Big John McCarthy and Judge Alex. If I had to bet on it, I would bet we’ll be seeing Jesse again before too long. It is a tough break though missing out on the chance to win the contract. To Jesse’s credit he was very remorseful and seems to realize he screwed up bad. Hopefully, he will take this as a learning experience and move on. I think he will.
To fill the void left by Jesse’s departure, Dana brought back Tim Credeur and C.B. Dolloway, the two semifinalists who lost, and had them fight each other to see who would meet Amir in the finals. It seemed the only fair way to do it and made alot of sense. They both come out swinging and standing. C.B. isn’t looking for that shot yet like his last fight. C.B. throws some good leg kicks. Tim is pressing; more leg kicks by C.B. Tim lands a couple of strikes and more leg kicks by C.B. Both guys look much better than their last fights. They are banging and bringing it this time. The whole first round Rampage has been telling C.B. to use jabs and he hasn’t thrown one. Both guys are banging and connecting in flurries then move back a little and set up for the next flurry and Tim drops C.B., jumps on him but C.B. reverses it, gets on top. But then Tim escapes and both are back to their feet. C.B. lands a big shot before the bell rings and then Rampage hollers for a quick takedown and C.B. immediately shoots like he just heard a magic mantra and takes Tim down as the end of round one bell rings. This is one of the best fights of the season to be honest.
Round two. C.B. gets a takedown but Tim is right back to his feet. C.B.’s standup looks much better this fight than he did against Amir. Tim has a slip. Gets up. C.B. lands some big punches and tim finally goes down but to the ref’s credit he didn’t stop it and Tim seems to have recovered. For some reason C.B. didn’t keep the heat on and let Tim get some rest. They are both exchanging landing nice shots. C.B. has hit air with about four big shots. Tim strikes moves back and C.B. hits air. Body shot by Tim. C.B. gets a takedown at will even though he knew it was coming. It’s a damn close fight as the round ends. I think C.B. probably won but I hope there’s another round. Only thing is we’ve already seen Amir Sadollah fight C.B. Dolloway so if does end up with those two in the finals well……it’s just a bit odd, that’s all.
One more round. Nice that means it’s even. Tim takes a hard shot then gets taken down but C.B. gives him room to get up. C.B. looks tired. Tim does look fresher at this point. But C.B. still lands some strikes. C.B. gets another takedown at will again. This time he’s laying but for some reason gets off Tim and lets him up. I really don’t understand that. C.B. takes him down again and lands a shot or two on the ground. C.B. takes him down again and Tim is throwing pitter patter from the bottom. I’m very disappointed in Tim’s lack of takedown defense. I think he got taken down four times in the last round. Very ugly. Dana thinks Tim won the third round. I don’t see that at all. And just as I thought…..C.B. Dolloway wins it.
So. This Saturday, June 21st in The Ultimate Fighter Live Finale will be
C.B. DOLLOWAY vs. AMIR SADOLLAH
Since both fighters have had a couple of months to train since they left the show their rematch this weekend should be pretty exciting. The TUF Finale fight plust the other fights on and the main event should make June 21st a night to remember.
[/mpinpage]
Tags: amir > Brandon Sene > bratcher > chance > credit > damn fool > Dana > Dana White > Dante Rivera > fight > first mistake > fool > Forrest Griffin > fucking shit > Gonna > help > holy fucking > Jeremy May > Jesse Taylor > June > ki > limo > luck > Matt Brown > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > nbsp > ONLY > palace station casino > paragraph > pray > Quinton "Rampage" Jackson > Rampage > report > round > shot > show > submissions > takedown > tap out > The Ultimate Fighter > Thoughts > TUF > UFC > Ultimate Fighting Championship > video > wrestler
Jerson Ravelo: On a Date with Destiny
Posted on | June 19, 2008 | No Comments
By: Danny Serratelli
www.brickcityboxing.com
Expect a fight of the year candidate this Friday on Showtime when undefeated 2004 Olympic gold medalist Andre “S.O.G.” Ward, 15-0, 10 KO’s takes on The Brick City’s best, 200 Olympian, Jerson “SuperJerz” Ravelo 18-2, 12 KO’s. Promoter Dan Goossen recently said, “Ravelo is a fighter who’s still on the upswing in his own career, so it’s another good matchup at this point for Andre.” It is hard to believe that Goosen really believes that Jerson is still on the upswing of his career and a major threat to his fighter, but he may be in for a rude awakening.
Word has been out time and time again that Jerson was damaged goods, but he has always possessed the total package as a fighter, and his heart, perseverance, confidence, skills and an undying determination are included in that package. Unfortunately for Goosen and Ward, Ravelo prides himself on always staying in shape, is injury free for this fight and has had one of the best camps of his 8 year professional career.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Jerson since he was an amateur where we trained together in the now defunct Red Brick Gym in East Newark for many years. My earliest memories of him are when he was ducked as an amateur in New Jersey, winning the National Golden Gloves and New Jersey’s Amateur Fighter of the Year a couple times. I remember disagreeing with him on the Oscar Delahoya vs. Pernell Whitaker (as I remember it, I thought the fight was very close, while Jerson agreed with the judges who had Oscar winning pretty easily), back in 1997. So I have known Jerson for at least 12 years and I have seen him spar hundreds of rounds, seen most of his professional fights and got to know him as a person outside of the gym.
After accomplishing his goal to make the Olympic team Ravelo advanced quickly as a professional. He was the first 2000 Olympian to go 10-0, and early on appeared to be way ahead of Jermain Taylor and Jeff Lacy (both former champions now). Early issues with trainers, managers and promoters presented problems early on in his career, followed by several untimely injuries. His powerful right hand was broken in at least three different fights against tough opponents in George Walton, Allen Green and Paul Buchanan, and has been hurt in the gym as well. In those fights, Jerson went 2-1, losing only to Green. The talented Allen Green would later say that Ravelo was the hardest puncher he ever faced. The statement was made after Green lost a unanimous decision to feared puncher Edison Miranda, who went after Green in the final round of their fight and knocked him down twice.
Jerson has experienced a multitude of highs and lows in boxing and in life, but he has refused to give up on his abilities no matter how down and out he has appeared. He has stayed the course and refused to give up no matter what doctors and jealous people have told him over the years.
Some people would say he has brought some of the problems upon himself due to the fact that he is very knowledgeable in both the fighting and the business sides of boxing. Despite the fact that he has always been willing to fight anyone any time, he has also had to keep an edge and stay smart to prevent promoters from taking advantage of him in this sport in which many people are used and abused and many believe are as good as your last fight, regardless of injuries, sickness, or personal problems. In every other major sport, baseball, basketball, football, and even MMA, failure is accepted and tolerated on a regular basis, you win some you lose some, but in boxing unless you are always perfect (and no one is) people are quick to turn on you.
After starting his career at 13-0, 10 KO’s he suffered his first defeat as a pro, to a very under rated opponent in David Lopez, in which Jerson was fighting under very adverse circumstances that many people are not privy to. He returned months later to defeat the rugged Muhammad Said. Ravelo would then be on the sideline for almost 2 years. It seemed he could not catch a break. He got to the point where he was having problems paying his gym dues, so he hung some bags in a garage and kept the faith. He was training himself for a while looking for fights on his own in a sport where fighters on their own are quickly relegated into journeyman who have to take whatever they can get on short notice with odds stacked against them.
Ravelo eventually found a way on to a couple of Lou DiBella’s Broadway Boxing shows and a small Main Events card. DiBella had been Jerson’s promoter early in his career, and they began to talk business again, but it wasn’t to be. Jerson’s search for a trainer would prove to be difficult. After going through many including Jose Rosario, who trained him for many years, Mark Breland and Tommy Brooks, among others, he was surprised to find that people lost the faith in him. However, he knew he needed to stay strong for his family in body and in mind. He has a young son who lives with him and he has always known in his heart that boxing was his ticket. Even during the extended layoffs people from the neighborhood would always see Jerson running the streets of the Brick City, Newark New Jersey. In all the years I have known him, regardless of circumstances, I have never seen him where he did not look ready to go 12 tough rounds.
At one point after a couple surgeries to the hand and the issues with the back Jerson briefly started to question himself. He needed to make more money to support himself and his young son so he went to camp with Bernard Hopkins to help him get ready for Jermain Taylor and he also went to camp with Antonio Tarver to help him get ready for Roy Jones. Jerson was invigorated after these camps as he felt he had fared well with both champions. With all the problems he had persevered and overcame he realized, what does not kill you makes you stronger. Despite the fact that Tarver was heavily favored to beat Hopkins who was moving up 2 weight classes, Jerson told me way before the fight that Bernard was going to win the fight easily, which he did.
At one point, current champion Nate Campbell, another man with a great story of overcoming obstacles to win championships went out of his way to reach out to me to tell me how he always admired Jerson as a fighter. Campbell had been close with Jerson’s amateur rival, Jeff Lacy but told me that even back then as an amateur Jerson possessed a confidence as a fighter that he could see would carry him to the top.
After getting himself ready in the garage in 2006, Jerson scored three consecutive 1st round knockouts. He also finally settled on a trainer, Nettles Nassar, who has been with him ever since. Ravelo and Nassar are set on winning this belt and accomplishing Jerson’s ultimate goal of becoming world champion. Without a big promoter behind him, Jerson has had to take short money to fight very tough fighters like Allen Green and Andre Ward; he is determined to make the most of it this time.
This fight for the NABO super middleweight title has all the makings of a great fight. It will be the first time either fighter has been scheduled for a 12 round bout. Ravelo has been 10 rounds before while Ward has yet to go past 7. Ward will be the fastest fighter Ravelo has fought to date with the best pedigree while Jerson will be by far the most experienced and talented fighter that Ward has fought as a professional. Ravelo also appears to be the bigger, stronger fighter. Both of these men are classy and talented individuals and there has been no trash talk, just two hungry fighters with top notch talent saying how they have trained for this fight for their entire lives.
Ravelo truly believes in his heart that it is his destiny to be world champion. Five years ago most boxing people would have agreed, since that time many, if not most, have given up on him. Lesser men, who come from where Ravelo and I come from, wouldn’t have made it this far in an area of bad influences and trouble, surrounded by people who always want to drag you down. Jerson Ravelo has chosen the higher path. I know first hand how much he wants this and I know first hand how good he really is. I said it 12 years ago to anyone who wanted to talk boxing and I still say it now. Tune in on Friday night to Showtime and experience it for yourself.
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