Boxing

Gabriel Ruelas of Arleta, the World Boxing Council’s No. 1-ranked junior-lightweight contender, will defend his North American Boxing Federation title June 27 at the Country Club in Reseda against Ben Lopez of Upland in a scheduled 12-round bout.

Ruelas, 30-1 with 16 knockouts, is in line for a mandatory fight against WBC champion Azumah Nelson later this year. His only loss came in 1991 when he sustained a broken bone in his elbow during a bout he was winning easily against veteran Jeff Franklin. Lopez is 19-9-1 with 13 knockouts.

Also on the card will be a 12-round super-welterweight bout between Engels Pedroza (36-3) of Las Vegas and Louis Howard (32-7-1) of Wentzville, Mo.