Prospect watch: Ricardo Ruvalcaba

Veteran manager Steve Feder, who has been around a lot of world-class talent in his career, has a hunch that undefeated (5-0-1, 4 KO’s) junior welterweight Ricardo Ruvalcaba, is a young man worth keeping your eye on. Despite being early days, having only put 6 fights in the bank, Feder sees a lot of things in the young Ventura, California native that checks a lot of boxes for a fighter.

Despite turning pro during the pandemic, he did manage to get one fight in during 2020. Then, picking up a year later, he had a strong 2021 going 4-0 with 4 stoppages. In May, going into only his 5th bout, he kicked off this year with a razor-thin split draw against rugged 50-fight veteran Elazar Valenzuela Carrillo of Sinaloa, Mexico. Now he is scheduled for a card on November 5th at The Commerce Casino, in Commerce, California.

Ruvalcaba certainly has some height and reach as he stands over 6 feet, very tall for a 140-pounder. He also has some pop with 4 stoppages in 5 wins, and he is young and developing as he is only 22 years of age.

Reached at his home in the Los Angeles area, Feder caught up with MaxBoxing to share his thoughts on the young prospect.

“Ricky has looked very good in the gym, and I really like what I see”, said Feder, who has worked with numerous world champions and contenders throughout his career. “He has a great attitude, he wants to be in the gym and learning all the time, and he is such a likable young man that he is very easy to work with”, said the New York native. “He has been putting in some rounds with some very good fighters and more than holding his own; impressive stuff for a guy with only 6 fights”, said Feder.

While Feder can monitor the progress of Ruvalcaba in the ring, it’s also his support system outside the ring that impresses him.

“He has a trainer working with him, Carlos “Chino” Espinoza, who knows him very well and has been with him a long time, so they have great chemistry. And, his father supports him a lot as well, he is a very solid man who is a great part of the team”, he said. “He has some real good people around him”.

With Ricardo’s next fight coming up, Feder is excited to see his progress and gauge what is next.

“(Wild Card-based trainer) Pepe Reilly told me about him when I initially heard about him”, said Feder. “He told me that I should take a look at him, he looks really good; definitely something there”, he said. “And, I trust Pepe’s judgment, he knows his stuff and is a very good trainer. If he says to take a look, it is probably somebody worth looking at. He doesn’t say that about just anyone”, said Feder

It looks like it’ll be another 6 weeks of training and then he’ll be back in the ring for his 2nd outing of the year.

“November 5th we have him scheduled for 6 rounds in Commerce, California, on an Ed Holmes show with All Star Boxing”, said Feder. “He is looking forward to getting back in the ring and I am looking forward to seeing him again. This is a great young man and I’m excited to see what he can do”.

Feder understands there is a lot of work ahead, but he is excited about what he sees in Ruvalcaba and is looking forward to his role in the process.

“It is a lot of extra work building a young fighter, it takes patience to move them along at a pace that is in line with their learning process, but if I can help them achieve their ultimate goal, which is always to be a champion, then it’s hard to match how rewarding it feels. It’s the perfect Hollywood ending”, he said.