Gabriel Ruelas

Gabriel Ruelas
Born (1970-07-23) July 23, 1970 (age 54)
Mascota, Jalisco, Mexico
Statistics
Weight(s)Super featherweight
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach69 in (175 cm)
StanceOrthodox
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]

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 fights 49 wins 7 losses
By knockout 24 5
By decision 25 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
56 Loss 49–7 Courtney Burton TKO 8 (10) 2003-03-24 Cajundome, Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S.
55 Win 49–6 Gene Vassar UD 6 (6) 2002-06-28 Farm Bureau Building, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
54 Win 48–6 Lee Cargle UD 6 (6) 2002-05-22 Ameristar Casino, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
53 Win 47–6 Pedro Garcia UD 8 (8) 2001-03-11 Feather Falls Casino, Oroville, California, U.S.
52 Loss 46–6 Manuel Garnica MD 10 (10) 1999-10-03 Lady Luck Casino, Lula, Mississippi, U.S.
51 Win 46–5 Jose Alfonso Rodriguez UD 10 (10) 1999-08-07 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
50 Loss 45–5 John Brown TKO 8 (10) 1998-10-24 Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
49 Win 45–4 Troy Dorsey TKO 6 (12) 1998-07-11 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. For IBA Intercontinental lightweight title
48 Loss 44–4 Arturo Gatti TKO 5 (12) 1997-10-04 Caesars Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. For IBF super featherweight title
47 Win 44–3 James Crayton UD 10 (10) 1997-02-14 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
46 Win 43–3 Angelo Nunez TD 8 (10) 1996-09-16 Arizona Charlie's, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
45 Win 42–3 Julio Cesar Herrera UD 10 (10) 1996-03-13 Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
44 Loss 41–3 Azumah Nelson TKO 5 (12) 1995-12-01 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. Lost WBC super featherweight title
43 Win 41–2 Jimmy Garcia TKO 11 (12) 1995-05-06 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC super featherweight title
42 Win 40–2 Freddie Liberatore RTD 2 (12) 1995-01-28 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC super featherweight title
41 Win 39–2 Jesse James Leija UD 12 (12) 17 Sep 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Won WBC super featherweight title
40 Win 38–2 Paris Alexander TKO 7 (10) 1994-05-20 Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
39 Win 37–2 Raul Hernandez TKO 7 (10) 1994-02-08 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
38 Win 36–2 Eduardo Jacques KO 7 (10) 1994-01-21 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
37 Win 35–2 Mike Grow TKO 8 (10) 1993-10-22 Boise State Pavilion, Boise, Idaho, U.S.
36 Win 34–2 Ben Lopez TKO 5 (10) 1993-08-28 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
35 Loss 33–2 Azumah Nelson MD 12 (12) Feb 20, 1993 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico For WBC super featherweight title
34 Win 33–1 Gabriel Castro UD 10 (10) 1992-09-29 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
33 Win 32–1 Ismael Diaz UD 10 (10) 1992-08-25 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
32 Win 31–1 Ditau Paul Molefyane MD 10 (10) 1992-06-27 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
31 Win 30–1 Raymundo Arce TKO 7 (10) 1992-05-26 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
30 Win 29–1 Moises Martinez TKO 1 (10) 1992-04-02 Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
29 Win 28–1 Tomas Valdez UD 8 (8) 1992-02-22 Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S.
28 Win 27–1 Jorge Palomares UD 12 (12) 1992-01-30 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S. Retained NABF super featherweight title
27 Win 26–1 Ascencion Lugo KO 1 (10) 1991-11-26 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
26 Win 25–1 Alvaro Bohorquez UD 12 (12) 1991-08-17 Sports Arena, San Diego, California, U.S. Retained NABF super featherweight title
25 Win 24–1 Aaron Lopez UD 12 (12) 1991-07-31 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S. For vacant NABF super featherweight title
24 Win 23–1 Eduardo Montoya KO 1 (10) 1991-06-25 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
23 Win 22–1 Pedro Mendoza UD 10 (10) 1991-06-01 Radisson Resort, Palm Springs, California, U.S.
22 Loss 21–1 Jeff Franklin TKO 7 (10) 1990-04-14 The Mirage, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
21 Win 21–0 Leonardo Moreno UD 6 (6) 1990-03-08 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 Dana Roston KO 3 (10) 1990-02-27 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
19 Win 19–0 Arturo Hernandez TKO 3 (6) 1990-02-05 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Javier Macias KO 2 (8) 1989-11-28 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Freddie Santos UD 6 (6) 1989-10-24 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Fred Hernandez UD 8 (8) 1989-09-26 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Abe Castro KO 4 (?) 1989-08-29 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Randy Reedy UD 6 (6) 1989-07-14 Riviera Club, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Francisco Pascasio TKO 5 (6) 1989-06-27 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Antonio Marin KO 1 (?) 1989-06-16 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Jorge Rodriguez UD 6 (6) 1989-05-30 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Mario Lozano UD 4 (4) 1989-04-25 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Josefino Suarez UD 4 (4) 1989-03-28 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Vicente Arias TKO 1 (4) 1989-02-14 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Martin Urias TKO 2 (4) 1989-01-17 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Alberto Almaguer KO 1 (4) 1988-12-09 Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Juvenal Molina UD 6 (6) 1988-11-29 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Willie Garcia KO 1 (4) 1988-11-15 El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Jaime Morales KO 1 (?) 1988-10-14 Caesars Palace, Sports Pavilion, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Tranquilino Martinez UD 4 (4) 1988-09-27 Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Raul Martinez TKO 1 (4) 1988-09-16 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.

Honours

  • 2006 California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee.

See also

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