Pro Boxers Fight On as Champions of the Heart : In a sport that has been marred by so much brutality and notoriety, there are still a few good-natured, quality people such as the Ruelas brothers, Rafael and Gabriel.

As Oscar De La Hoya was having his hand raised in victory over Rafael Ruelas on May 6, in an emergency room not far from the outdoor arena doctors were performing brain surgery on Jimmy Garcia, the Colombian boxer who was pummeled earlier that evening in a title fight with Gabriel Ruelas. As the reports came in about the gravity of Garcia’s condition, Gabriel Ruelas was announcing that if Garcia passed away, he would never fight again.

Gabriel Ruelas was quoted as saying, “I would give up all the money, the house, the cars, I would rather have nothing than to see him in this position”--a strong statement, but I was not surprised to hear it.

I met Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas many years ago at a boxing event at a Reseda country club. Gabriel was fighting that night and I was asked by Ann Kinzle, a fan of boxing and a Reseda community leader, to present a commendation to Randy Shields, a former boxer from North Hollywood who was shot as he was trying to stop a robbery at a local eatery. Ann also wanted me to meet the Ruelas brothers because she was so impressed with these two young northeast San Fernando Valley residents. When I met the Ruelas brothers I was immediately impressed with their good nature.

I have come to know Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas to be top-quality people, with good values and a championship spirit that makes them the pride of the Valley. If one understands what good, decent people the Ruelas brothers are, it is not surprising that Gabriel Ruelas contemplates leaving the sport that has brought him and his brother so much fame and fortune. As we all pray for the Garcia family, let us also pray for the Ruelas family.

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Recently, I honored Gabriel Ruelas before the City Council, congratulating him for having won the World Boxing Council super-featherweight championship. I praised him and his brother Rafael because they have made us proud, not only with their numerous boxing accomplishments, but because they remain modest, down-to-earth, decent human beings.

On that same day, Ricardo Montalban, the great Hollywood actor, was also being honored by the City Council. Gabriel asked me if Montalban would take a picture with him. Gabriel looked incredulous when I assured him that Montalban would be honored. Montalban was indeed pleased to have his picture taken with Gabriel and told him how proud he was of Gabriel’s and Rafael’s accomplishments. He hugged Gabriel. For a moment I pictured Gabriel as a little boy, melting into a large teddy bear. With a big grin, Gabriel seemed unaware of his own fame.

The Ruelas brothers came to the United States as children from Mexico to live with their older sister. They learned how to fend for themselves at a very early age. They tell stories about having sold candy on the street as children, and they recall the tales not with defeat but with an air of triumph, showing you how far they have come.

Despite the money and the glamour of their new lives as world-class professional boxers, they remain modest young men. While other boxers are caught up with their own prominence, bragging about their fame, Gabriel and Rafael remain the hard-working champions of the heart.

And indeed, I believe that this is the lesson of championship. We all have different measuring sticks for success and for victory, but the Ruelas brothers would qualify in any book.

In a sport marred by as much brutality and notoriety as boxing, there are still some good-natured, quality people such as the Ruelas brothers.

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The Ruelas brothers are tough and resilient, but also big-hearted and generous. They inherited their values from parents who taught them how to work hard from an early age, and that respect is earned. They are the Valley boys who scraped their way to the top and did good. Even in times of hardship--especially in times of hardship--they demonstrate the graciousness that teaches us the true spirit of championship.

Rafael did not win his bout and Gabriel’s boxing plans may be in doubt, but both will remain champions in the eyes of those who place a premium on human character.