Rebounding Ruelas to Fight Walsh on Beverly Hilton Card

Former lightweight champion Rafael Ruelas of Sylmar hopes to move back into title contention tonight when he fights Mike Walsh of La Mirada in a 10-round junior welterweight bout at the Beverly Hilton.

Ruelas, 44-3 with 35 knockouts, lost his International Boxing Federation title to Oscar De La Hoya last year. He is not expected to get much of a challenge from Walsh, 16-3-3 with 13 knockouts. Ruelas has won his last two fights since losing to De La Hoya and George Scott and is looking for another title chance. “When I lost to Scott, I think I was still in some kind of shock from the De La Hoya fight,” Ruelas said. “That’s behind me now and I’m ready to get my title back.”

Also on tonight’s six-fight card, starting at 7, Carlos Hernandez of Bellflower will fight Isagani Pumar of Stockton for the vacant International Boxing Council junior lightweight title. Hernandez is 21-1-1 and Pumar is 26-7-2.

In two four-round heavyweight matchups, Eric “Butterbean” Esch (23-1 with 18 knockouts) will fight William Harris (3-3), and Lance Whittaker will make his pro debut against John Keyes (2-2).