Goossen Tutor Announces Ward vs. Ravelo at San Francisco Press Conference
Posted by Ramon Aranda on 04.22.2008
Andre Ward to meet Jerson Ravelo in the Cayman Islands.
Photos by Laura De La Torre
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - It was a cool and sunny morning at Fisherman's Warf today when Goossen Tutor Promotions put on the first press conference to promote the upcoming fight between undefeated 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward (15-0, 10 KOs) of Oakland, CA and 2000 Olympian Jerson Ravelo (18-2, 12 KOs) of the Dominican Republic. In attendance were the two fighters along with their respective trainers and promoter Dan Goossen. The bout which is titled "Cayman Knockout: Championship Boxing, is scheduled for Friday, June 20th and will take place in the Cayman Islands.
This bout serves as Andre's first title bout in which the NABO super middleweight title will be on the line as well as a WBO world ranking. Ward is coming off an impressive victory over Rubin Williams last month and is riding a five fight knockout streak. "When I found out about the title being on the line, I was so excited", said Ward. "It's like finally, finally I get my shot at a title and I just feel like it's my time."
Fans who have followed Ward's career have been wondering when he would get his first big opportunity and it appears that that opportunity is knocking on his door. When asked about his strategy and approach in regards to Andre's career, promoter Dan Goosen said, "I want to bring him along as quickly as possible without rushing it". It's a strategy that makes a lot of sense when you look at how other Olympians have fared after turning pro. We have seen a handful of them have excellent careers while others were moved up too quickly and fizzled out.
Goossen sees this as the first step into getting Ward's name mentioned with the top fighters at 168 pounds and should be a solid test for the undefeated fighter. His opponent, Jerson Ravelo is a 30-year old Dominican and former participant in "The Contender" series who fights out of Newark, New Jersey. He is coming off a decisive win against previously unbeaten Paul Buchanan in the UK after having lost narrowly to world ranked Allan Green.
Both fighters present an offensive minded style and they possess not only knockout power but excellent speed in both hands. Ravelo, who had gone through some back troubles and an injured hand is motivated and in great shape. "This is the first time in a while that I'll be fighting with a healthy hand. It feels better than it ever has", said Ravelo. Surely with similar styles, the fight may very well prove to be as exciting as the fighters believe it will be.
Also on the card will be once-beaten American heavyweight Eddie Chambers (30-1, 16 Kos)who is coming off a tough loss to world ranked Alexander Povetkin in Germany. Chambers lost out on his title opportunity against Wladimir Klitschko with the loss to Povetkin but is anxious to get back in the ring. He will be taking on the 6'4" 240-pound Raphael Butler (30-4, 23 KOs) for the USBA heavyweight title.
Cayman Knockout: Championship Boxing will be televised on SHOWTIME's ShoBox: The Next Generation.
