Juan E. VENEGAS

Juan Venegas grew up in poor neighborhood and learned to fight as a means of survival. He was a member of Puerto Rico’s first Olympic team in 1948, and won Puerto Rico’s first Olympic medal. On his return home, he turned professional and had a short career, with eight bouts, winning six by decision, and losing two. The Puerto Rican Boxing Commission sponsored the Juan Evangelista Venegas Boxing Tournament in his memory. He died in the 1980s in San Juan.