| Papa's Corner 8-23-06 Congratulations go out to the Ruelas brothers (Gabriel and Rafael) on their recent induction into the California Boxing Hall of Fame. They conducted themselves as great champions in the ring and earned a reputation as ring warriors, all the while making Castaic Brick a name known around the world. Promoted for many years by Joe Goosen and fighting many of their early fights in the Los Angeles area, specifically the Reseda Country Club in the San Fernando Valley, the Ruelas brothers were also known for their rise from abject poverty as kids Mexico. Gabriel, or Gabe as he is more often referred, earned a 49-7 record with 25 stoppages. Highlights of his career include a 12-round split decision loss to the legendary Azumah Nelson back in 1993, when Gabe challenged for Azumah’s 130-pound world title at the young age of 22. He went on to capture the same world title with a hard-fought decision over Jesse James Leija the following year. But the fight that sticks into the memory of many hardcore fans was his legendary 5-round war with Arturo Gatti in 1997. Although Gabe lost the fight by Technical Knockout fans remember him for his willingness to trade with Gatti, the fact that he nearly had Gatti out with a series of vicious uppercuts and for his warrior spirit that was displayed at an incredible world-class level that night in Atlantic City. Rafael retired in 1998 with a professional record of 53-4 with 42 knockouts. He captured the IBF Lightweight title at the age of 22 with a decision win over Freddie Pendleton. He defended the title twice before losing it by second round knockout to Oscar de la Hoya in 1995, in a fight that saw many experts and old-school fans picking Rafael to win. He never captured another title but did go 10-2 after the Hoya fight with wins over Hicklet Lau, Livingstone Bramble and a loss to Kostya Tszyu in a fight in which Rafael was brutally out-gunned. The Eight Count passes on their congratulations (for what it’s worth). Riddick Bowe Update It has recently come to my attention that 90’s era Heavyweight great Riddick Bowe has a professional record of 42-1 with 33 wins coming by way of coming by stoppage. Now I remember Riddick and always liked him as a fighter but it never occored to me that he has only one loss and that was in the controversial and close “Fan Man” fight with Evander Hoyfield. Bowe won the bookends of the trilogy with “Real Deal” including a stoppage in 1996 and he had to get up off the deck to do so. He has a ton of wins, including a lot of knockouts against good fighters. Aside from Holyfield, “Big Daddy” has KO wins over Jorge Luis Gonzalez, Jesse Ferguson, Michael Dokes, Bruce Seldon, Tyrell Biggs, etc, etc. He also has two DQ wins over “The Foul Pole” Andrew Golota. After the Golota fights “Big Daddy” disappeared from boxing, joined and quit the U.S. Marines, had some trouble with the law and since 2004 he’s 2-0 with 1 knockout against a couple of nobodies. At 38, he probably won’t make much noise at Heavyweight (although he is fighting another semi-live body in September) but there was a time in 1992 and 1993 when he was the baddest man on the planet and the undisputed Heavyweight king. Middleweights in September An intriguing Middleweight fight was just announced. On September 29 at Madison Square Garden “Irish” John Duddy (17-0, 15KO) will square off with “Yory Boy” Campas (88-8, 72KO). Now, despite his advanced age in ring years Campas continues to win most of his fights losing in his career only when he faces very stiff competition, tricky boxers or both. Duddy on the other hand has never faced a fighter of Campas’ caliber. His stiffest competition has come against grizzled veterans Pat Coleman and Freddy Cuevas and both fights ended inside the distance. |
