Ruelas Brothers Headline Card at the Country Club

Once-beaten Rafael Ruelas of Arleta, no stranger to thrashing big-name fighters on the downside of their careers, takes on former world junior lightweight champion Rocky Lockridge in a scheduled 10-round bout tonight at the Country Club in Reseda.

In a companion bout, Rafael’s brother Gabriel will try to defend his North American Boxing Federation super featherweight title against Jorge Palomares of Montebello in a scheduled 12-rounder.

Rafael Ruelas, 20, vaulted onto the national scene in March, 1991, when he overwhelmed former world featherweight champion Stevie Cruz in Las Vegas, knocking Cruz out with a brutal attack in the third round.

Ruelas’ only loss came last July when he was knocked down by Mauro Gutierrez and, while waiting on one knee, misheard the referee and was counted out. A victory over Lockridge would put him back on track for a world title.

Lockridge, 32, (43-7 with 36 knockouts) has not fought since June, 1989. His losses have all come against former or current world champions, including Eusebio Pedroza and Tony Lopez (two losses to each), Juan La Porte, Wilfredo Gomez and Julio Cesar Chavez. He has been knocked out just once, when La Porte stopped him in the second round of a fight more than 10 years ago.

In the second bout, Gabriel Ruelas, 21, will defend the NABF title he won last year, taking on Palomares (20-5-2 with 17 knockouts). Ruelas is 27-1 with 14 knockouts, his lone loss coming in 1990 because of a fluke injury sustained during a bout against Jeff Franklin.

Since his return, Ruelas has won five bouts in a row and is ranked No. 3 by the World Boxing Council.

Also on the card is unbeaten super middleweight Frank Liles of Van Nuys, ranked 10th by the World Boxing Assn., and heavyweight Jimmy Ellis, who will make his first appearance since losing to George Foreman on Dec. 7.

The card, which begins at 5 p.m., will be televised by the USA Cable Network.