VAN NUYS, Calif. — Rafael Ruelas has remained retired since 1999, but the former lightweight world champion is the latest star from the sport who’s soured from sitting on the sidelines.
The 49-year-old Ruelas (53-4, 41 KOs) told BoxingScene.com in an interview that he’s training for a comeback determined to become the oldest world champion in boxing history.
Ruelas, the younger brother of former super featherweight champion Gabriel Ruelas (49-7, 24 KOs), is best known for fighting and losing to Oscar De La Hoya via second-round knockout in their lightweight unification bout in 1995.
Now that the Golden Boy has also announced his comeback for a July 3 fight on Triller, Ruelas said he’d welcome a rematch 26 years later.
“I don’t want to do an exhibition. I’m in shape and pretty close to fighting condition. I took some time off, but I never abused my body. I’ve been training for quite a while,” said Ruelas. “I’ve already taken all of the exams from the boxing commission, and I passed all of them. That’s done. My main thing was getting into sparring. It’s a better indicator of how I respond or react when I get hit with a good shot, and not what the doctor tells me. I was more concerned physically. But after some sparring with young undefeated fighters, I feel good. It didn’t discourage me one bit.
“I’m ready for anyone in the top 10. The guys that are fighting now, I’m not discouraged to fight them. I’m encouraged. I was not impressed by Ryan Garcia in his last fight … I’m not conceited or cocky. I’m confident.”
Ruelas was holding court at former trainer Joe Goossen’s gym after a five-mile run earlier in the morning. He even took a brief break from the interview to show off his hand speed on the bags nearby. The Southern California native currently weighs 150 pounds and is eyeing a return at either 135 or 140 pounds.
“Oscar has moved up in weight quite a bit, but absolutely [the result of the fight would be different in the rematch]. I’m older and see things differently,” said Ruelas. “I went right after him [in 1995]. I should have taken my time. My balance is so much better and my legs are so much stronger. I’m doing more running now than when I was boxing. It makes a big difference.”
Ruelas said he ran 1,000 miles from June through December last year and is on pace for running 80 miles a month so far this year. He also runs marathons, sharing that his personal best time is 3 hours and 35 minutes.
One impediment for Ruelas’ comeback could be reuniting with his former coach.
“I’m trying to convince Joe to get back on board with me. We’d be a great team,” said Ruelas. “Hopefully I can do more sparring. He’s not so much for it, and I get it. If I were in his shoes I’d probably say the same thing.”
Goossen — who currently trains Chris Arreola and Sergey Lipinets and is an analyst for PBC on FOX — said he needs more information before he could commit to Ruelas.
“Guys marvel at him when he works out, but I’ve got questions that need to be answered. We need to have more discussions,” Goossen told BoxingScene.com in an interview. “Am I a big fan of senior boxing? No, I’m not. This is a young man’s sport. Your brain and body absorbs punishment easier when you’re a lot younger.”
Ruelas, a father of three, said his family isn’t fully on board with his return to the ring either but they still support his decision as he looks to break Bernard Hopkins’ record as the oldest world champion in boxing history.
“Originally they were skeptical about it but they’ve seen me spar and how I keep going,” he said. “If [older fighters] take good care of themselves mentally and physically and they pass all of the exams, why not? Give them a shot. It depends on the individual and what type of lifestyle they lived after retirement. I can tell you this — I’ve been cleaned my whole life. When you’re over 40, they test you even more. It was easier passing the tests now than when I was younger. I’m going to take any fight opportunity that presents itself.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com