REJUVENATED RUELASES CAN'T STAY AWAY.

Byline: MICHAEL ROSENTHAL Boxing

It happens to virtually all boxers.

They intend to retire but succumb to the powerful lure of the ring and return. They miss the competition, the thrill of the crowds, the purpose the sport brings to their lives and, often, the money.

Now, it's Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas' turn.

It appeared the former world champions from Sylmar had had enough last year, when they both took the worst beatings of their careers, Gabriel against John Brown and Rafael against Kostya Tszyu.

And when they intimated it was time to walk away, many of those closest to them were relieved, particularly in the case of Rafael, who has taken a lot of punches because of his aggressive style.

The Ruelases understand the concern and appreciate it.

However, they, like so many of their brethren, must prove to themselves it's over. And the only way to do that, at least in their minds, is to give it another try.

After all, Gabriel is only 28 and Rafael will be 28 on April 26 - young by any standards.

``It's like anyone who retires from something they love doing,'' Gabriel said.

``I'm giving myself one more chance. Then, if I don't put my heart into it like I should, that's it.''

Gabriel, the WBC super featherweight champion in 1994 and 1995, is coming back in good part because he doesn't like the way he went out.

He said his motivation waned after he outpointed James Leija to win the title in September 1994 because he had realized his dream. Then, when Jimmy Garcia died from Ruelas' punches the following year, it appeared the joy he once found in boxing was lost.

His fights showed it. With the exception of a memorable brawl against Arturo Gatti, he never again fought with the fire of his early career.

``It was like I was going through the motions,'' he said.

Then, after Brown stopped him in eight rounds in October, he spent five-plus months without boxing . . . and he couldn't handle it.

He had dabbled in selling real estate. He has been involved in the establishment of a Boys' and Girls' Club gym in Hollywood. He's gone to therapy ever since the Garcia fight. And he's had time to spend with his family.

However, it wasn't enough.

He suspects he remains a world-class fighter. He sees boxers succeeding who he knows he could handle. And, although he says money isn't motivating him now, the financial rewards are substantial.

All he had to do was walk into Joe Goossen's Van Nuys gym a few weeks ago for a light workout and the desire began to creep back.

``I realize now more than ever that you have to be hungry to win,'' said Gabriel. ``I want to get back (mentally) to the days when I didn't care about money, when I just really loved what I was doing.

``I'm feeling that way, now. I just want to fight.''

Rafael, who held the IBF lightweight title in 1994 and 1995, had been studying financial planning at UCLA and still plans to make his living in the business world.

He simply missed competition. Now, he's putting his second-career plans on hold and has been working out in Goossen's gym every day for the past week and a half.

And he's not deterred after his performance against Tszyu, in which he took many punches and was knocked out in the ninth round in August.

He believes fighters are judged primarily on their last performance. A few good performances, he said, could change the perception and open some doors.

``I appreciate people who care about me,'' he said. ``I care about myself ultimately more than anybody else. I have a kid on the way (wife, Michelle, is four months pregnant). I want to be a healthy daddy. I want to be able to raise my kid properly and with all my senses.

``That's why I'm going to devote myself to (training) completely and if I don't get good results, then just step back out of it.''

Gabriel and Rafael, who won't be ready to fight for several months, could end up on the same card for their ``comeback'' fights.

That could bring back memories of the days in which two exciting, young fighters thrilled audiences by routinely knocking off overmatched opponents on the same night. If it doesn't, as they promised, then they'll know it's time to give up - permanently.

Goossen-Camacho?: P.J. Goossen won't believe he's going to fight Hector Camacho until the two step into the ring June 18, the date upon which the junior middleweight matchup is tentatively scheduled.

And no can blame the North Hollywood resident for having his doubts: He's had that kind of career.

Consider: He's had hand injuries that have caused long gaps in his career; he was stabbed in the chest when he was jumped at a party and missed several more months, he said; and, most significantly, he broke his foot four days before he was scheduled to fight Roberto Duran in South Africa in November 1997.

The Duran fight was the big opportunity Goossen, 28, dreamed of throughout his seven years as a professional.

``There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about that,'' said Goossen, who is 19-1, with 13 knockouts. ``That would have made me or broke me. I would've found out what my future was in boxing. Instead, I've just continued to wait.

``I'm more than eager to go.''

That's why the Camacho fight, which has been in the works for at least six months, is so important to him.

It's against one of the biggest names in the sport and on ESPN2. If he wins - a big if - he could position himself for a big-money fight and a shot at a world title. More importantly, his career would've amounted to something.

``I'm knocking on the door and no one will let me in,'' said Goossen, who is trained and managed by his father, Pat Goossen. ``I've had thoughts about giving up. I've come this far, though. Why give up now? Five years from now, I'd regret it.

``To finally get in the ring with one of the legends, someone everyone knows, would be great, just great.''

Mike Acre, Camacho's promoter, said only ESPN2 - which is scheduled to televise the bout - could veto the matchup, but Acre has no reason to believe the network would.

For Goossen's sake, let's hope not.

Rabbit punches: WBO featherweight champion Naseem Hamed had trouble with Paul Ingle before stopping him in the 11th round Saturday in England.

Paul who?

Exactly. Are we starting to understand that Hamed is more hype than substance?

Hamed said he thinks he broke his hand in the bout. . . .

The HBO card Saturday in Indio isn't going to attract too much attention, but it's an excellent one.

IBF lightweight champ Shane Mosley faces Brown - who proved against Gabriel Ruelas that he's tough - and Ivan Robinson faces Angel Manfredy in a bout sure to packed with action. . . .

We'll see tonight at the Forum whether Jesse Magana, the former No. 1 WBO junior featherweight contender, has anything left.

Magana has lost three of four since he was knocked out by Marco Antonio Barrera in September 1996 and hasn't fought since June.

Only one thing is certain: Magana is as game as they come.

Also on the card, Mauricio Martinez defends his NABO bantamweight title against Ulises Morquecho.

COMING UP

Thursday: On USSB, Hasim Rahman takes on Arthur Weathers in a 10-round heavyweight bout in Miami.

Also Thursday, in Thailand, WBC bantamweight champ Veeraphol Sahaprom defends his title against Bernie Torres.

Friday: On ESPN2, Vernon Forest faces Steven Martinez in a 10-round welterweight bout in Tunica, Miss. Also, IBF interim junior welterweight champion Zab Judah will fight Juan Torres in a 10-round bout.

Meanwhile, on USSB, Manuel Medina fights Victor Polo for Medina's IBF featherweight championship in Las Vegas.

Saturday: On HBO, IBF lightweight champion Shane Mosley defends his title against John Brown in Indio. Also, Ivan Robinson faces Angel Manfredy in a 10-round lightweight bout.

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