Rafael Ruelas (born 26 April 1971) is a Mexican former professional boxer, best known for his knockout loss to

Oscar De La Hoya Oscar De La Hoya ( , ; born on February 4, 1973) is an American boxing promoter and former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2008. His accolades include winning 11 world titles in six weight classes, including the lineal championshi ...

Professional career

Shortly after a TKO in 10 over

Jorge Páez Jorge Adolfo Páez (born October 27, 1965) is a Mexican actor, circus performer and former professional boxer. In boxing he held the WBO and IBF featherweight titles. Paez's nickname of ''"El Maromero"'' is in honor of the somersault (referred ...

in 1992, Ruelas earned a shot at

IBF The International Boxing Federation (IBF) is one of four major organizations recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) which sanctions professional boxing bouts, alongside the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Counci ...

lightweight title

Freddie Pendleton Freddie Pendleton (born January 5, 1963) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1981 to 2001. Pendleton won his first title in October 1985 knocking out Darryl Martin (9-2) in the 6th round earning him the Pennsylvania State l ...

, overcoming an early knockdown and winning by unanimous decision. Ruelas was able to successfully defend his title prior to being challenged by the rapidly rising star

. De la Hoya defeated Ruelas, knocking him down twice and ending the fight in the second round. Ruelas never recaptured his lost glory, winning fights over limited competition, including a decision over journeyman

Livingstone Bramble Ras-I Alujah Bramble (born Livingstone Bramble on September 3, 1960) is the former WBA Lightweight boxing Champion of the World. Bramble was raised on Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. He became the first world champion from Saint Kitts and Nevi ...

, to set up a fight with the hard punching Kostya Tszyu in 1998. Tszyu battered Ruelas and won via TKO 9, and Ruelas's career ended shortly afterward.

Professional boxing record

Pay-per-view bouts

References

External links

* 1971 births Living people Boxers from Jalisco International Boxing Federation champions Mexican male boxers Featherweight boxers {{Mexico-boxing-bio-stub