By Rich Mancuso/ Sports Editor
Nelson Cuevas was doing his thing and training the aspiring champions last week at the Mendez Boxing Gym in Manhattan, The Bronx native and resident was a warrior and always there over the years and he was involved in the sport.
Friday morning. Cuevas, passed away and became another victim of the Coronavirus. He was on a ventilator this past week and there was always hope he could recover.
But this Coronavirus does not care. The boxing world, as with all sports, is shut down until further notice and all promoters around the world have postponed or cancelled shows until June.
The Mendez Gym, located in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, has become a training ground for boxing. Various professional fighters in town and training for mega fights are always there hitting the bags and getting some sparring.
Mendez, and all boxing gyms have closed their doors due to safety concerns of the Coronavirus Pandemic. If ,and when the gym reopens ,remains to be determined. There is also the issue of Mendez, along with other gyms, not being able to reopen due to the financial losses that have occured during this crisis.
Cuevas, was the first to greet aspiring fighters and professional types from the business world at the door and was manager of the gym. But it was his love for training the young fighter. He could be seen working the corners with his fighters at various amatuer and professional shows.
Cuevas, a recent inductee in the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, had those instincts of the business. He knew the fighters, trainers, and the various promoters.
Most of all, and those at Mendez Boxing will tell you, he cared.
Here is the official word of his passing from those at the Mendez Boxing Gym:
We are saddened to report the passing of our dear Nelson Cuevas. He meant a lot to many of us and it’s heartbreaking to hear and share this news.
Please send your thoughts and prayers for his wife, Nilda during this time. We feel vulnerable at times but must be there for each other.
We miss you Nelson. Rest in peace.
We at the Bronx Chronicle offer our condolences to the Cuevas family and those who were associated with Nelson Cuevas at the Mendez Boxing Gym
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