On May 27, 1994, the 23-year-old IBF lightweight world champion, Rafael Ruelas (40-1, 30 KOs), faced Mike Evgen, in a title defense fight.
Ruelas came in to the fight on a 13-fight win streak with a 73% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 8 days.
Rafael Ruelas made easy work of Mike Evgen, stopping the challenger via TKO in the 3rd. Ruelas improves his record to 41-1 (31 KOs)
On January 28, 1995, the 23-year-old IBF lightweight world champion, Rafael Ruelas (42-1, 32 KOs), faced Billy Schwer, in a title defense fight.
Ruelas came in to the fight on a 15-fight win streak with a 74% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 20 days.
The challenger refused to continue the fight in the 8th round, and Rafael Ruelas is crowned the new lightweight world champion. Ruelas improves his record to 43-1 (33 KOs)
On February 19, 1994, a 22-year-old Rafael Ruelas (39-1, 30 KOs) got a shot at the IBF lightweight title held by Freddie Pendleton.
Ruelas came in to the fight on a 12-fight win streak with a 75% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 28 days.
Rafael Ruelas defeated Freddie Pendleton via unanimous decision and wins the IBF title — in his first world-title fight. Ruelas improves his record to 40-1
On March 31, 1991, a 19-year-old Rafael Ruelas (24-0, 19 KOs) and a 27-year-old American boxer Steve Cruz (35-5, 19 KOs) met in the ring in a featherweight bout.
Ruelas came in to the fight on a 24-fight win streak with a 79% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 5 days. Cruz was on a 1-fight win streak with a 47% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 6 months and 6 days.
Rafael Ruelas stopped Steve Cruz via KO in the 3rd round. Ruelas improves his record to 25-0 (20 KOs), while Cruz adds a loss to his record at 35-6.
On November 6, 1992, a 21-year-old Rafael Ruelas (33-1, 25 KOs) and a 27-year-old fellow Mexican boxer Jorge Páez (43-4-4, 29 KOs) met in the ring in a lightweight bout.
Ruelas came in to the fight on a 6-fight win streak with a 73% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 12 days. Páez was on a 5-fight win streak with a 56% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 2 months and 13 days.
Rafael Ruelas stopped Jorge Páez via RTD in the 10th round. Ruelas improves his record to 34-1 (26 KOs), while Páez adds a loss to his record at 43-5-4.
On April 30, 1996, a 25-year-old Rafael Ruelas (43-3, 33 KOs) and Tomas Barrientes met in the ring.
Ruelas came in to the fight on a 2-fight losing streak with a 71% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 months and 23 days.
Rafael Ruelas stopped Tomas Barrientes via KO in the 2nd round. Ruelas improves his record to 44-3 (34 KOs)
On January 19, 1993, a 21-year-old Rafael Ruelas (34-1, 26 KOs) and Roberto Burgos met in the ring in a lightweight bout.
Ruelas came in to the fight on a 7-fight win streak with a 74% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 13 days.
Rafael Ruelas stopped Roberto Burgos via KO in the 1st round. Ruelas improves his record to 35-1 (27 KOs)
On February 23, 1993, a 21-year-old Rafael Ruelas (35-1, 27 KOs) and Robert Rivera met in the ring in a lightweight bout.
Ruelas came in to the fight on a 8-fight win streak with a 75% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 4 days.
Rafael Ruelas stopped Robert Rivera via TKO in the 3rd round. Ruelas improves his record to 36-1 (28 KOs)
On August 23, 1996, a 25-year-old Rafael Ruelas (45-3, 35 KOs) and a 35-year-old St. Kitts & Nevis boxer Livingstone Bramble (38-17-3, 24 KOs) met in the ring.
Ruelas came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 72% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 13 days. Bramble was on a 1-fight win streak with a 41% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 3 months and 19 days.
Rafael Ruelas defeated Livingstone Bramble via unanimous decision in the 10-round fight. Ruelas improves his record to 46-3, while Bramble adds a loss to his record at 38-18-3.
On November 27, 1990, a 19-year-old Rafael Ruelas (21-0, 17 KOs) and Richard Abila met in the ring in a featherweight bout.
Ruelas came in to the fight on a 21-fight win streak with a 81% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 5 days.
Rafael Ruelas stopped Richard Abila via KO in the 7th round. Ruelas improves his record to 22-0 (18 KOs)