Gabriel Ruelas
| Gabriel Ruelas | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Gabriel Ruelas |
| Rated at | Featherweight |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Reach | 69 in (175 cm) |
| Nationality |
 Mexican |
| Born |
July 23, 1970 Yerbabuena, Jalisco, Mexico |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 56 |
| Wins | 49 |
| Wins by KO | 24 |
| Losses | 7 |
Gabriel Ruelas, (born on July 23, 1970 in Yerbabuena, Jalisco, Mexico),[1] is a former professional boxer.[2]
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. 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 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.
Honors
- 2006 California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee.
References
- ↑ "Gabriel y Rafael Ruelas recibirán homenaje por parte de Goosen Tutor Promotions" (in Spanish). Univision Deportes. Notimex. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ↑ Steve Springer (20 May 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 28 November 2014.
- ↑ Steve Springer (2 December 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 28 November 2014.
- ↑ Tom Friend (19 May 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 28 November 2014.
- ↑ Steve Springer (31 October 1998). "Haunting Memories Force Ruelas to Retire From Ring". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
External links
| Preceded by Jesse James Leija |
WBC Super Featherweight Champion 17 Sep 1994– 1 Dec 1995 |
Succeeded by Azumah Nelson |