Rafael Ruelas is a former professional boxer. Ruelas was a very popular Mexican fighter, best known for his devastating knockout loss to Oscar De La Hoya

Oscar de la Hoya

Oscar De La Hoya is a retired American boxer of Mexican descent. Nicknamed "The Golden Boy", De La Hoya won a gold medal at the Barcelona Olympic Games shortly after graduating from Garfield High School. De La Hoya comes from a boxing family. His grandfather Vicente, father Joel Sr., and brother...

; a loss which left Oscar somewhat scorned by the Mexican community due to his ruthless destruction of a hero.
Shortly after a TKO in 10 over the popular Jorge Páez

Jorge Paez

Jorge Adolfo Febles Páez is a Mexican boxer, actor and circus performer. Páez is the former WBO and IBF Featherweight champion. Paez is nicknamed " El Maromero", in honor of the acts he performs at the circus. Paez has been a circus performer in his northwest Mexico hometown since he was very young...

 in 1992, Ruelas earned a shot at IBF

International Boxing Federation

The International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.- History :...

 Lightweight Title Freddie Pendleton

Freddie Pendleton

Freddie Pendleton is a retired professional boxer in the lightweight division.Known as "Fearless", Pendleton had a 1-5 amateur career & turned pro in 1982 losing to Rodney Watts at the Tropicana Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.Pendleton won his first title in October 1985 knocking out...

, overcoming an early knockdown and winning by unanimous decision. Ruelas was only able to successfully defend his title prior to being challenged by the rapidly rising star de la Hoya. de la Hoya crushed Ruelas, knocking him down twice and ending the fight in the 2nd round. Ruelas never recaptured his lost glory, winning fights over limited competition, including a decision over journeyman Livingstone Bramble

Livingstone Bramble

Ras-I Alujah Bramble is a boxer. However, Bramble was raised on Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. He became the first world champion from Saint Kitts and Nevis. As of 2005, Bramble is still active in professional boxing...

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

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