RUDY ZAVALA

Rosemead, California's Rudy Zavala made his professional debut in march of 1990, opening with a unanimous decision win over Rafael Martinez.  Just 3 weeks later, they fought a rematch at the Forum in Inglewood, CA and this time Zavala stopped Martinez in round 3.

Just like that, the 21 year old was off to a 2-0 start, and he became a local favorite of The Forum as he ran his record to 11-0, 9 by KO before taking a big step-up fight against former WBC International Title challenger Virgilio Openo (18-2-4) of The Phillipines.  That bout was scheduled for 12 rounds, but it only took Zavala 6 to stop his first world class opponent. On that night, Rudy went from Prospect to Contender.

3 more fights against good solid mid-level opponents netted 3 more KO wins, and now with an impressive record of 15-0, 13 by KO, Zavala traveled to Phoenix, Arizona for a big 8-Round fight against ranked contender Johnny "The Torch" Vasquez (17-2) in Vasquez's home town.  It went the distance and it was ruled a Majority Draw with 1 of the Judges scoring it 78-74 for the local favorite, and the other 2 Judges seeing it at 76-76. It was a very unsatisfying result for both of these rising fringe contenders, and 2 months later, they were at it again, but this time, there was much more at stake.  The rematch was held at The Hacienda Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Scheduled for 12 rounds with the Vacant NABF Jr. Featherweight Title belt going around the waist of the winner.

April 18, 1992 was the date and the fight was televised nationally by Univision network. It went the full 12 rounds and when the final scores were read by ring announcer Danny Valdivia, it was Rudy Zavala remaining unbeaten, and picking up his first title belt on scores of: 115-113, 116-112, and 117-111 for the unanimous victory.

Even though it was a bruising war to defeat Johny Vasquez in the rematch, just two months later, Zavala was in with a ranked contender as he squared off with Pedro Decima (29-3) on the undercard of Evander Holyfield vs Larry Holmes at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Zavala shined again as he dropped the former World Champ 3 times before stopping him stopping him on a cut for the 6th round TKO win.

Incredibly just a little over a month later, Zavala was in the ring making a defense of his NABF title against former WBA & IBC World Champion - KO artist Jesus "Hawaiian Punch" Salud (41-5). It was a huge matchup, but it was Salud who handed Zavala his first defeat as a pro, and took the NABF title belt away from him via 8th round TKO in a war.

Zavala's management slowed the pace of matches just a little, but just 3 months later, Rudy was back in the ring where he stopped Freddy Hernandez (13-11) in 3 rounds by knockout. Rudy took another "tune-up" bout before taking on highly regarded veteran Jerome Coffee (35-7-1) in a bid for the vacant USBA Jr. Featherweight Championship. Zavala looked as good as ever in KO'ing Coffee in 5 rounds to win that coveted 2nd title belt.  Rudy Zavala now stood at 20-1-1, with the USBA title belt added to his collection.  World Ranked, and ready to take on the world.

Zavala took a "Stay Sharp" bout before making his first title defense of the USBA Title belt against Colorado's highly respected Max Gomez (11-3) at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, CA.  The showdown lived up to its billing but ended in a 3-way split draw with one judge having it 116-112 for Gomez, one judge saw it 116-112 for Zavala, and the deciding judge had it scored at 114-114. With a draw, Zavala retained his title, but would relinquish it to go after a much bigger prize just over 3 months later!

Rudy Zavala defends his USBA title belt with a draw against Max Gomez

Rudy Zavala got the call he had been waiting for.  He was named as the challenger for the IBF Jr. Featherweight World Title held by former U.S. Olympian Kennedy McKinney (23-0-1). The fight was held at The Pyramid arena in Memphis, TN.  The champion was just too much for Rudy that night, as Mckinney dominated from the start and referee Chris Wolleson stopped the fight at 2:08 of round 3.  Zavala was denied of the world title, but he was not deterred in his effort to get another shot at a world title.

Rudy decided to move up a half divison to Featherweight, and immediately got to challenge for the WBC Continental Americas title against defending champion James "Corky" Lonaker (21-1).  Zavala came out all business and knocked the champion out in round 2 to win his 3rd title belt.

Nearly 2 months later, Zavala was defeated in totally shocking fashion as he lost a 10-round split decision in what was supposed to be an easy bout against Mexico's unheralded Juan Francisco Soto (1-9) before a shocked crowd at the Airport Marriott in Burlingame, California.

Zavala was very disappointed in his performance against Soto, but just 3 weeks later, he was in the ring with another world ranked contender in Philadelphia's former State Champion - Tony Green (22-3-1). Zavala looked more like his old self, even knocking Green down in round 2, but in the end he dropped a close 10-round decision to the Philadelphia star.

He came back with back-to-back knockout wins, and then took on a battle of California favorites when he stepped into the ring against Jesse "El Cuervo" Magana (11-3-2) at the Forum.  The fans roared as these two banged it out, Zavala was dropped in the first, and second rounds, but got up to continue bringing the war to his skilled opponent.  Zavala was finally stopped in the 5th round by a cut.

Rudy went out big. His last 4 bouts saw him face off with some pretty big names: Juan Carlos Rubio, Ruben Castillo, Troy Dorsey, and his final bout against Tracy Harris Patterson.  He went 1-3 in that stretch before calling it a career.

Rudy Zavala was pure excitement in the ring and is remembered fondly by boxing fans, especially in the L.A. area where his ring wars are often remembered and talked about with great affection.  He finished his glorious campaign with a final record of: 25 wins, 8 losses, 2 draws, and winning 21 by knockout!

Check out Rudy's complete ledger: RUDY ZAVALA record on boxrec.com

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