RUBEN OLIVARES

RUBEN OLIVARES(Ruben was our special guest at our 5/2/03 show in Punta Gorda, Florida)

Ruben Olivares was born on January 14, 1947, in Mexico City, Mexico. Ruben is considered by many to be the best bantamweight champion of all time. He twice was bantamweight champion and twice held versions of the featherweight world title. Olivares started his career by knocking out his first 23 opponents, and 54 of his first 57 opponents. Overall, Olivares scored 78 knockouts in his fourteen year career.

Olivares captured his first world title by knocking out Lionel Rose in the fifth round on August 22, 1969. He lost his first fight and the title, the following year, when he was stopped by Chucho Castillo in the fourteenth round. One year later they had a rematch and Olivares took charge midway through the fight and won back his title by unanimous decision.

After moving up and winning the featherweight title, Olivares lost that belt to fellow Hall of Famer, Alexis Arguello by thirteenth round K.O., in his first defense. Seven months later Olivares won the WBC version of the feathweight title by stopping Bobby Chacon in the second round. However, he lost that title in his next fight to David Kotey.

Olivares fought for another five years and suffered six of his thirteen career losses during this period. He twice tried comebacks after a five year layoff, but failed to win. Olivares, who will be remembered as a superb knockout artist, was inducted into the International Hall of Fame in 1991.

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