Ruelas Punches Up Old-Time Rock ‘n’ Roll

RESEDA — Rafael Ruelas rocked the Reseda Country Club with his mere presence Thursday night.

Then he rocked Javier Arce with left hooks and uppercuts.

It seemed like old times for Ruelas, who recorded a second-round technical knockout before a crowd of about 800 in their scheduled 10-round super lightweight fight.

It was the first appearance at Reseda in nearly four years for Ruelas, a former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion who ascended the professional ranks while fighting regularly at the Country Club.

Ruelas’ display of power was familiar to his legion of local followers, who greeted Ruelas with loud applause.

Ruelas (48-3, 38 knockouts), who grew up in Sylmar, peppered Arce (15-11-1) during the second round with short blows to the jaw and body, leaving his opponent wincing in pain and leaning on the ropes at the end of the round.

The fight was stopped seconds after Arce took his stool.

“I saw the impact my punches were making,” Ruelas said. “I figured it was only a matter of time.”

Ruelas, 19-1 in Reseda, recorded his fifth consecutive victory since moving up to 140 pounds a year ago.

Two of Ruelas’ three losses came within the past two years, including a second-round loss to Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas.

Ruelas, 25, ranked fifth among super lightweights by the World Boxing Council and eighth among junior welterweights by the IBF, is attempting to regain a world title.

Trainer Joe Goossen said Ruelas soon will be ready for a more formidable opponent. Goossen said he would like a matchup with Julio Cesar Chavez, who lost to De La Hoya last year.

‘I think he did great,” Goossen said. “I told him to be careful against this guy because he has some power.”

Ruelas welcomed a return to Reseda, where he and his brother, Gabriel, began fighting in 1989.

“I’ve created quite a following here,” Ruelas said. “The fans were excited, I was excited.”

Ruelas was in control from the outset, backing Arce into the ropes before inflicting his damage.

Arce, 25, moved capably in the first round, flicking a few ineffective jabs during exchanges.

In the second round, Ruelas landed left uppercuts and left hooks, as well as a hard right cross during one toe-to-toe exchange.

“He hit me in the bottom of the stomach on the side,” Arce said through an interpreter. “He didn’t really hurt me, he just took my air out. I wanted to box him, counterpunch. But he punches hard.”

Arce’s trainer, Carlos Madrid, decided his fighter had had enough.

“He was taking too many shots,” Madrid said. “[Ruelas] still can punch.”

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The Scorecard

Results of Friday night’s boxing at Reseda Country Club

* Super lightweight

Rafael Ruelas (48-3) d. Javier Arce (15-15), second-round TKO

* Heavyweight

Jimmy Buffo (2-0) d. Victor Sanders (0-1), KO in first, 1:21.

* Jr. Welterweight

Effi Schneider (6-1-1) d. Richard Calvillo (1-7-1), 4-round unanimous decision

* Heavyweight

Lionel Butler (26-12-2) d. Marcos Gonzalez (17-8-1), first-round knockout, 2:36.

* Light heavyweight

Calvin Combs (5-8-1) d. Fernando Zuniga (7-1), 6-round unanimous decision.

* Super lightweight

Fredia Gibbs (1-0) d. Maria Recinos (0-2-1), 4-round unanimous decison.