Arturo Gatti vs. Gabriel Ruelas

Gabriel Ruelas 130 lbs lost to Arturo Gatti 130 lbs by TKO at 2:22 in round 5 of 12

• Date: 1997-10-04
• Location: Caesars Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
• Referee: Benjy Esteves Jr
• Judge: John Stewart 38-38

  1  9 10	2  9 10	3 10 9	4 10 9

• Judge: Robert Gonzalez 38-38

  1  9 10	2  9 10	3 10 9	4 10 9

• Judge: William James 37-39

  1  9 10	2  9 10	3  9 10	4 10 9

• International Boxing Federation Junior Lightweight Title (3rd defense of Gatti)
  
• Announcer: Michael Buffer
  

Notes

• Ruelas warned in Round 1 for a low blow.
• Ruelas warned again in Round 3 for a low blow.
• Ruelas was staggered by an overhand right early in the 4th Round.
• Gatti hurt by a tremendous left uppercut from Ruelas at 2:35 into Round 4.
• Ruelas down at 2:03 into Round 5 from a left hook as both fighters traded punches. He did make it to his feet, but referee Benji Esteves chose to call an end to the bout.
• Gatti suffered a cut under his left eye.

Comment(s)

• Fight was named Ring Magazine Knockout of the Year and Ring Magazine Fight of the Year for 1997.
• The announcers labeled the 5th Round as a "battle of uppercuts" as both fighters walked forward and traded clean shots.
• Pernell Whitaker entered the ring after the fight to congratulate Gatti.