Gabriel Ruelas

Last updated
Gabriel Ruelas
Born (1970-07-23) July 23, 1970 (age 53)
Mascota, Jalisco, Mexico
NationalityMexican
Statistics
Weight(s) Super featherweight
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach69 in (175 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights56
Wins49
Wins by KO24
Losses7

Gabriel Ruelas, (born on July 23, 1970, in Yerbabuena, Jalisco, Mexico), [1] is a Mexican former professional boxer who held the WBC Super Featherweight world championship from 1994 to 1995. [2]

Contents

Professional career

Ruelas turned pro in 1988 and in 1993 challenged WBC Super Featherweight Title holder Azumah Nelson, losing a close majority decision. [3] In 1994 he was able to capture the title by outpointing Jesse James Leija. He defended the belt twice, including an 11th round TKO of Jimmy Garcia of Colombia, who later died from his injuries. [4] Ruelas contemplated retirement after Garcia's death, however, he decided to continue, promising to donate some of his earnings to the Garcia family. Ruelas later reflected that he was never the same fighter following that incident. [5] His fight with Garcia was an undercard to his brother's (Rafael Ruelas) lost title fight with Oscar De La Hoya. [6] Ruelas lost his title in a rematch to Nelson in 1995, via TKO in the 5th. In 1997 he took on hard-hitting Arturo Gatti for the IBF Super Featherweight Title but was TKO'd in the 5th. The fifth round of this bout was chosen as The Ring magazine Round of the Year for 1997. The fight itself was also named "Fight of the Year" by the same magazine.

Ruelas retired in 2003 after losing to Courtney Burton. Gabriel's brother, Rafael (also a professional boxer) and relative Guillermo U. Ruelas, all attended Poly Technic High School in Sun Valley, California.

Professional boxing record

56 fights49 wins7 losses
By knockout245
By decision252
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
56Loss49–7 Courtney Burton TKO8 (10)2003-03-24 Cajundome, Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S.
55Win49–6Gene VassarUD6 (6)2002-06-28 Farm Bureau Building, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
54Win48–6Lee CargleUD6 (6)2002-05-22 Ameristar Casino, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
53Win47–6Pedro GarciaUD8 (8)2001-03-11Feather Falls Casino, Oroville, California, U.S.
52Loss46–6Manuel GarnicaMD10 (10)1999-10-03Lady Luck Casino, Lula, Mississippi, U.S.
51Win46–5Jose Alfonso RodriguezUD10 (10)1999-08-07 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
50Loss45–5John BrownTKO8 (10)1998-10-24 Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
49Win45–4 Troy Dorsey TKO6 (12)1998-07-11 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.For IBA Intercontinental lightweight title
48Loss44–4 Arturo Gatti TKO5 (12) 1997-10-04 Caesars Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For IBF super featherweight title
47Win44–3 James Crayton UD10 (10)1997-02-14Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
46Win43–3Angelo NunezTD8 (10)1996-09-16 Arizona Charlie's, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
45Win42–3Julio Cesar HerreraUD10 (10)1996-03-13Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
44Loss41–3 Azumah Nelson TKO5 (12)1995-12-01 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.Lost WBC super featherweight title
43Win41–2 Jimmy Garcia TKO11 (12)1995-05-06Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC super featherweight title
42Win40–2Freddie LiberatoreRTD2 (12)1995-01-28MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC super featherweight title
41Win39–2 Jesse James Leija UD12 (12)1994-09-17 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Won WBC super featherweight title
40Win38–2Paris AlexanderTKO7 (10)1994-05-20 Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
39Win37–2Raul HernandezTKO7 (10)1994-02-08Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
38Win36–2Eduardo JacquesKO7 (10)1994-01-21 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
37Win35–2Mike GrowTKO8 (10)1993-10-22 Boise State Pavilion, Boise, Idaho, U.S.
36Win34–2Ben LopezTKO5 (10)1993-08-28Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
35Loss33–2 Azumah Nelson MD12 (12)1993-02-20 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, MexicoFor WBC super featherweight title
34Win33–1Gabriel CastroUD10 (10)1992-09-29Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
33Win32–1Ismael DiazUD10 (10)1992-08-25Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
32Win31–1Ditau Paul MolefyaneMD10 (10)1992-06-27Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
31Win30–1Raymundo ArceTKO7 (10)1992-05-26Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
30Win29–1Moises MartinezTKO1 (10)1992-04-02 Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
29Win28–1Tomas ValdezUD8 (8)1992-02-22Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S.
28Win27–1Jorge PalomaresUD12 (12)1992-01-30Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.Retained NABF super featherweight title
27Win26–1Ascencion LugoKO1 (10)1991-11-26Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
26Win25–1Alvaro BohorquezUD12 (12)1991-08-17 Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S.Retained NABF super featherweight title
25Win24–1Aaron LopezUD12 (12)1991-07-31Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.For vacant NABF super featherweight title
24Win23–1Eduardo MontoyaKO1 (10)1991-06-25Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
23Win22–1Pedro MendozaUD10 (10)1991-06-01Radisson Resort, Palm Springs, California, U.S.
22Loss21–1Jeff FranklinTKO7 (10)1990-04-14 The Mirage, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
21Win21–0Leonardo MorenoUD6 (6)1990-03-08Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
20Win20–0Dana RostonKO3 (10)1990-02-27Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
19Win19–0Arturo HernandezTKO3 (6)1990-02-05 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
18Win18–0Javier MaciasKO2 (8)1989-11-28Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
17Win17–0Freddie SantosUD6 (6)1989-10-24Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
16Win16–0Fred HernandezUD8 (8)1989-09-26Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
15Win15–0Abe CastroKO4 (?)1989-08-29Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
14Win14–0Randy ReedyUD6 (6)1989-07-14 Riviera Club, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
13Win13–0Francisco PascasioTKO5 (6)1989-06-27Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
12Win12–0Antonio MarinKO1 (?)1989-06-16 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.
11Win11–0Jorge RodriguezUD6 (6)1989-05-30Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
10Win10–0Mario LozanoUD4 (4)1989-04-25Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
9Win9–0Josefino SuarezUD4 (4)1989-03-28 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
8Win8–0Vicente AriasTKO1 (4)1989-02-14 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
7Win7–0Martin UriasTKO2 (4)1989-01-17Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
6Win6–0Alberto AlmaguerKO1 (4)1988-12-09Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
5Win5–0Juvenal MolinaUD6 (6)1988-11-29Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
4Win4–0Willie GarciaKO1 (4)1988-11-15 El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California, U.S.
3Win3–0Jaime MoralesKO1 (?)1988-10-14Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
2Win2–0Tranquilino MartinezUD4 (4)1988-09-27 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
1Win1–0Raul MartinezTKO1 (4)1988-09-16 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.

Honours

See also

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References

  1. "Gabriel y Rafael Ruelas recibirán homenaje por parte de Goosen Tutor Promotions" (in Spanish). Univision Deportes. Notimex. June 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  2. Steve Springer (May 20, 1995). "Boxers' Fate: One Dead, One in Despair: Sports: Gabriel Ruelas was just doing his job. But it killed another fighter". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  3. Steve Springer (December 2, 1995). "Ruelas Is KO'd by Nelson, Specter : Boxing: Champion loses his WBC title to 37-year-old challenger after "seeing" boxer who died after his previous fight". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  4. Tom Friend (May 19, 1995). "BOXING: A Heart-Rending Vigil After Tragedy in the Ring; Ruelas, Boxer Who Inflicted Injury, Prays With Family of Garcia, Now Battling for His Life". New York Times. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  5. Steve Springer (October 31, 1998). "Haunting Memories Force Ruelas to Retire From Ring". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  6. Vince Kowalick (January 22, 1997). "Ruelas' Return Tops Card at Country Club". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Juan Laporte
NABF super featherweight champion
July 31, 1991 – 1992
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Narciso Valenzuela Romo
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBC super featherweight champion
September 17, 1994 – December 1, 1995
Succeeded by
Awards
Previous:
Frankie Liles vs.
Tim Littles
Round 3
The Ring magazine Round of the Year
vs. Arturo Gatti
Round 5

1997
Next:
Ivan Robinson vs.
Arturo Gatti II
Round 3