Rafael Ruelas was born in Yerbabuena, Jalisco, Mexico on April 26, 1971. He made his professional debut at the age of 17 years on January 17, 1989 against Marcos Covarrubias. Ruelas defeated Covarrubias via 4-round unanimous decision, making a successful beginning of his pro career.
Ruelas became a world champion at the age of 22 after 40 professional fights. He challenged Freddie Pendleton for the IBF lightweight title and defeated the champion via 12-round unanimous decision, winning his first world title.
Ruelas' last fight was a split decision victory over Hicklet Lau at age 28, on August 8, 1999.
Some of Rafael Ruelas' best fights have been against Jorge Páez, Livingstone Bramble, Rick Lockridge, Steve Cruz, and Darryl Tyson. For a complete list of Ruelas' best fights and their details, refer to "Best fights of Rafael Ruelas".
Ruelas has 4 losses on his record. For details about these losses refer to "Rafael Ruelas Losses".
# | Date | Age | Opponent | Res | Via |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
57 | Aug 08, 1999 | 28 | ![]() | win | SD 10 |
56 | Aug 15, 1998 | 27 | ![]() | loss | TKO 9 |
55 | Jun 19, 1998 | 27 | ![]() | win | RTD 5 |
54 | Mar 21, 1998 | 26 | ![]() | win | TKO 2 |
53 | Nov 14, 1997 | 26 | ![]() | win | TKO 7 |
52 | Jul 19, 1997 | 26 | ![]() | win | TKO 2 |
51 | Jan 23, 1997 | 25 | ![]() | win | TKO 2 |
50 | Dec 03, 1996 | 25 | ![]() | win | KO 5 |
49 | Aug 23, 1996 | 25 | ![]() | win | UD 10 |
48 | Jul 10, 1996 | 25 | ![]() | win | KO 2 |
47 | Apr 30, 1996 | 25 | ![]() | win | KO 2 |
46 | Oct 07, 1995 | 24 | ![]() | loss | UD 12 |
45 | May 06, 1995 | 24 | ![]() | loss | TKO 2 |
44 | Jan 28, 1995 | 23 | ![]() | win | RTD 8 |
43 | Dec 08, 1994 | 23 | ![]() | win | KO 3 |
42 | May 27, 1994 | 23 | ![]() | win | TKO 3 |
41 | Feb 19, 1994 | 22 | ![]() | win | UD 12 |
40 | Oct 22, 1993 | 22 | ![]() | win | KO 1 |
39 | Aug 19, 1993 | 22 | ![]() | win | KO 1 |
38 | Jul 17, 1993 | 22 | ![]() | win | UD 10 |
37 | Feb 23, 1993 | 21 | ![]() | win | TKO 3 |
36 | Jan 19, 1993 | 21 | ![]() | win | KO 1 |
35 | Nov 06, 1992 | 21 | ![]() | win | RTD 10 |
34 | Aug 25, 1992 | 21 | ![]() | win | KO 1 |
33 | Jul 07, 1992 | 21 | ![]() | win | UD 10 |
32 | May 26, 1992 | 21 | ![]() | win | TKO 2 |
31 | Apr 03, 1992 | 20 | ![]() | win | TKO 1 |
30 | Jan 30, 1992 | 20 | ![]() | win | UD 10 |
29 | Nov 26, 1991 | 20 | ![]() | win | TKO 2 |
28 | Jul 31, 1991 | 20 | ![]() | loss | KO 2 |
27 | Jun 25, 1991 | 20 | ![]() | win | UD 10 |
26 | May 17, 1991 | 20 | ![]() | win | KO 1 |
25 | Mar 31, 1991 | 19 | ![]() | win | KO 3 |
24 | Feb 26, 1991 | 19 | ![]() | win | UD 10 |
23 | Jan 14, 1991 | 19 | ![]() | win | TKO 3 |
22 | Nov 27, 1990 | 19 | ![]() | win | KO 7 |
21 | Sep 22, 1990 | 19 | ![]() | win | TKO 7 |
20 | Aug 17, 1990 | 19 | ![]() | win | TKO 9 |
19 | Jul 31, 1990 | 19 | ![]() | win | TKO 1 |
18 | Jun 18, 1990 | 19 | ![]() | win | UD 10 |
17 | May 29, 1990 | 19 | ![]() | win | RTD 5 |
16 | Apr 14, 1990 | 18 | ![]() | win | TKO 1 |
15 | Mar 08, 1990 | 18 | ![]() | win | KO 2 |
14 | Feb 27, 1990 | 18 | ![]() | win | TKO 2 |
13 | Feb 05, 1990 | 18 | ![]() | win | KO 5 |
12 | Nov 28, 1989 | 18 | ![]() | win | KO 1 |
11 | Oct 24, 1989 | 18 | ![]() | win | DQ 1 |
10 | Sep 26, 1989 | 18 | ![]() | win | KO 1 |
9 | Aug 29, 1989 | 18 | ![]() | win | KO 1 |
8 | Jul 14, 1989 | 18 | ![]() | win | KO 3 |
7 | Jun 27, 1989 | 18 | ![]() | win | KO 3 |
6 | Jun 16, 1989 | 18 | ![]() | win | KO 3 |
5 | May 30, 1989 | 18 | ![]() | win | KO 3 |
4 | Apr 25, 1989 | 17 | ![]() | win | MD 4 |
3 | Mar 28, 1989 | 17 | ![]() | win | TKO 1 |
2 | Feb 14, 1989 | 17 | ![]() | win | TKO 3 |
1 | Jan 17, 1989 | 17 | ![]() | win | UD 4 |