Ruelas Defends Lightweight Title at Country Club Tuesday

Rafael Ruelas of Arleta, the World Boxing Council’s No.1-ranked lightweight contender, defends his North American Boxing Federation title against Robert Rivera of Phoenix in a nationally televised bout from the Reseda Country Club on Tuesday night.

Ruelas (35-1, 28 knockouts) won the NABF title last year by stopping Jorge Paez of Mexicali at the Forum in Inglewood. Rivera is 18-1-1 with 14 knockouts. The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds.

In a heavyweight bout, Lionel Butler of Van Nuys fights champion Tony Willis of Los Angeles for the California title. Butler is 14-10-1 but has won nine consecutive fights. Willis is 21-5.

For the first time in the 20-year history of the National Christian College Athletic Assn. The Master’s College men’s basketball team is ranked No. 1 in the NCCAA’s national poll. The Master’s ends the regular season at Fresno Pacific College on Tuesday.

Area cycling standouts Thurlow Rogers of Van Nuys and John Wordin of West Hills have signed to compete for a newly formed road race team.

Rogers is the national amateur road-race champion in the 30-years-plus category. The team is expected to compete in several state and national events.

Alyze Lowen of Harvard-Westlake has signed a letter of intent to play women’s soccer at Stanford next season.

Lowen, a midfielder, was named to the under-19 U.S. national team player pool in January and was a member of the under-17 national team the previous two years.

The eighth annual Heart Run and Walk in Woodland Hills today is expected to attract approximately 4,000 participants.

The event, which includes a 5K run at 8 a.m., a two-mile walk at 8:05 and a 10k run at 8:45, will raise money for the American Heart Assn.

Event spokesperson Christine Tinsley said Friday that a combined total of 3,000 people had pre-registered for the three events and she expected another 1,000 to sign up to participate Sunday morning.

Ryan Dobbins of Thousand Oaks, an All-Marmonte League selection last year, said he will attend Cal Lutheran and play for the Kingsmen’s soccer team next season.

Dobbins, a midfielder, has one goal and four assists for the Lancers. He also considered a partial soccer scholarship offer from Oregon State.

The Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team has scheduled an alumni game today at noon before the Matadors play host to USC. Former players who graduated in even-numbered years will play former players who graduated in odd-numbered years.

Information: 818-885-2075.