By Ryan Songalia

Down but not out, Jerson "SuperJerz" Ravelo, 18-2 (12 KO), arose from his disappointing defeat to Allan Green to find new life in England. Fighting on The Contender's USA versus UK special, Jerson fought his way to a dominant unanimous decision victory over the previously unbeaten Paul Buchanan.

I spoke with the former 2000 Dominican Republic Olympian about that fight and his current affairs in and around the ring.

BoxingScene.com: Tell us about this fight with Paul Buchanan. What are your thoughts on this fight, and what do you think of your opponent?

Jerson Ravelo: "I really didn't know much about the opponent. I had seen a tape of him before I went out there, that's when he got his only draw. The guy he fought was 23-1. That showed me the guy could fight. It was a good fight for me."

BoxingScene.com: You scored the knockdown in the third round. Describe the sequence and why were you unable to finish him there?

Ravelo: "I was setting him up for the knockout by going to the body. Everytime I was landing the body shots I was hurting him. I was breaking him down. When I went back to the corner at the end of the second round, my coach said 'Go ahead and take this guy out. He doesn't belong in the ring with you.' I listened to my corner and tried to get him out. I landed a shot on the side of his head and dropped him, but at the same time I broke my hand."

BoxingScene.com: I'm sorry, I've lost count. How many times have you broken your hand now?

Ravelo: "Four times, counting this one. First of all, the fight should've been stopped beause the ref was asking him 'Are you OK?' and the guy didn't respond. When the fight continued, there was only five seconds left in the round. I had my right hand good enough to land one last shot to get him out. Being that my hand was broken, I couldn't finish him off."

BoxingScene.com: What's the prognosis on the hand, and how long will you be out of action as a result?

Ravelo: "I broke two bones this time in two different places. Right now I'm currently taking therapy. The doctor said that in a month I should be back punching again. The hand don't really hurt anymore. Now, the doctor gave me a bone stimulator that will bring the bone back to how it originally was. Hopefully everything will be good and I'll be back fighting by the end of June or beginning of July."

BoxingScene.com: Are you concerned looking ahead because of the fragility of your hand? You've described in the past when you had your long injury layoffs that it detracted from your confidence. Do you worry about this?

Ravelo: "I'm not worried about it this time. The reason why I was worried in 2002 wasn't because I was scared of throwing the right hand, it was mentally being out of the ring for two years because of the injuries. It made me think I wasn't good enough anymore. It was because of the layoffs that my confidence went all the way down."

BoxingScene.com: You have two-handed skills, but by and large your money punch is with the right hand. Do you feel you will have to become more of a two-fisted assailant than a right hand-minded fighter because of your chronic hand injuries?

Ravelo: "Yeah, I'm actually a powerful puncher with both hands and I can also switch to the southpaw stance. Of course, you do need both hands to finish a fight. I might have to become more of a boxer than a puncher and maybe I won't have to rely as much on my power."

BoxingScene.com: The Contender show has become a household name and you've been affiliated with them for some time now, but this is the first time you've been on one of their theme shows. How did you like the overall atmosphere?

Ravelo: "First of all, The Contender, they are doing a wonderful job. A lot of people may not give them the credit they deserve, but you have to respect the show. They are doing for boxing what hasn't been done for years, which is getting people excited about watching fights. The way they format the show gets kids excited. Kids were walking through the malls and through the streets and running up to us like 'Oh it's The Contender guys!'"

BoxingScene.com: Fighting in England for the first time, I can tell from the pictures that Nettles was having a good time, but tell us about the experience. You were interacting with the British people and a lot of your fans are actually from Europe. You got to perform for the first time in England. How did it feel to fight over there for the first time representing your country of America?

Ravelo: "It was a great experience for me. Just the people out there, that's what you call supporting your athletes. The fans out there are loyal to their athletes. We were in their country and we were getting cheered coming to the ring like we were one of them! That's how big The Contender is over there. On my Myspace page, most of my friends are from the UK."

BoxingScene.com: I have heard through the grape vine that you are being considered for another Contender theme show. Tell me a little something about the concept of that idea.

Ravelo: "Right now, it's just a rumour. I haven't anything of it. I saw on a boxing website that The Contender is going to take New York City. I called my people and said 'If we're going fight at The Garden, that's like my home.' My name wasn't on the release, but they said it was so it's all bout them working it out."

BoxingScene.com: The only two names at 168 I can think of from New York would be The Chin Checkers, Jaidon Codrington and Curtis Stevens. You told me in the past that you would fight Stevens, but since you and Jaidon are friends that wouldn't be an option. What's going on?

Ravelo: "Curtis and I are friends, we're just not as tight as Jaidon and I are. We were working in the [Antonio] Tarver camp . It was Jaidon, myself, Rubin Williams, and Curtis was there, not as a sparring partner but he came down and trained with us because he was getting ready for a fight.

We are friends, but me and Jaidon go back to the amateurs. The reason why Curtis is a different story is because that fight was actually offered to me before. Dibella called me and offered me the fight. I don't know what happened. If they were to match me with anyone, it would be Curtis."

BoxingScene.com: Allan Green has since lost to Edison Miranda and is looking to bounce back. I know you've said in the past you'd like to get a rematch with him. What are your feelings about that?

Ravelo: "Allan Green is coming off of a loss and he would probably like to rebound. Hey, why not fight the guy you beat before you lost? It should be easy, right? I'm ready and able if he's willing to take the fight. If I could fight Allan Green and David Lopez back to back, I would because that would erase those two losses in my mind."

I had been saying that I had an off night against Green, and it happens. I know it wasn't the same level of opposition, but everyone will see what I look like when I'm healthy with my movement, my jab, and my strategy."

BoxingScene.com: Is there anything you'd like to say to your fans or a topic you'd like to address? Here's your platform.

Ravelo: "I just want to thank everyone for supporting me from the beginning. There's a lot of people who support you, but not really. I want to thank them too because they push you a little harder to be your best."

"About the fight, this is an exciting fight. Everyone knows I broke my hand in the third. I had to go back to my boxing skills. You will see me for the final five rounds winning the fight with my jab. I just want everyone to tune into the fight. And thank you Ryan for always being there and always helping me out. I appreciate it."

Any questions or comments? My email address is mc_rson@yahoo.com