A Steppingstone : Ruelas Hopes Victory Over Bramble Friday Leads to a Title Fight

The road toward a return to a world-title fight resumes for Rafael Ruelas of Sylmar with a 10-round junior welterweight bout against veteran Livingstone Bramble on Friday night in Atlantic City, N.J.

Ruelas (45-3), former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion, will make his third appearance as a junior welterweight after recording consecutive second-round knockouts this year over Tomas Barrientes and Mike Walsh.

Ruelas, 25, appears to be hitting his stride at 140 pounds after suffering consecutive defeats in 1995 to Oscar De La Hoya and George Scott. In both fights, Ruelas said, his struggle to make weight complicated matters.

“I lost a lot of energy, a lot of strength,” Ruelas said. “I’m comfortable at this weight.”

Joe Goossen, Ruelas’ trainer, said his fighter is at an ideal weight for his age. A victory over Bramble, Goossen said, and Ruelas will be ready for a title fight in early 1997.

“He’s on a roll right now,” Goossen said. “He defeated two good guys who were expected to give him trouble. He’s a whole [different] fighter when he’s got five or six extra pounds on him.”

Bramble, 35, undoubtedly is not the fighter he used to be. Bramble’s record is 39-17-1 but he has lost 14 of his past 23 fights.

“I don’t know if he’s the fighter he once was, but I know he’s a strong puncher, a good fighter,” Ruelas said. “I’ve trained hard.”

Bramble is experienced and should provide a formidable challenge, promoter Dan Goossen said.

“Bramble will be a tough fight,” he said. “Although he is considered past his prime, he has name recognition. A victory over Livingstone Bramble is better than a victory over Mike Walsh or Tomas Barrientes, even though they might be tougher fighters.”

Ruelas lost his title on a second-round knockout by De La Hoya, then lost a decision to Scott. However, he appears to have regained momentum after quickly pounding Barrientes into submission in San Antonio in April. Ruelas did the same to Walsh at the Beverly Hilton Hotel last month.

“I’m sure it will take me a few more fights to be ready for a title,” Ruelas said.

The bout is on the undercard of the Dana Rosenblatt-Vinny Pazienza matchup.