MIKE TYSON has paid tribute to Nelson Cuevas, a former trainer and gym owner who died at the age of 80 following complications with coronavirus.
It was in Cuevas' Apollo gym where a young Tyson fought his first amateur bout as he developed into a future undisputed heavyweight champion.
A contemporary of the American's old manager, Cus D'Amato, Cuevas was convinced to help young fighters after ending his own welterweight career.
From then on he became a well known figure in the New York boxing circuit through his gym in the Bronx and as a cut man for an array of fighters.
Tyson mourned Cuevas' death on Instagram, writing: "We lost one of the best people in the boxing world.
"Nelson Cuevas died from complications with Coronavirus.
"I had my first amateur fight at his Apollo Gym. He use to be one of Cus’ fighters when he was younger. When Cus had his Catskill fighters come down the Bronx to his gym, he protected us so fiercely.
"I remember us kids would be so excited because when we had an exciting fight he would buy us soda and a mini hotdog in a biscuit because he knew we didn’t have money."
Puerto-Rican born Cuevas won six of his 20 pro fights but made a lasting impact on a number of boxers from his homeland as well as Tyson.
The 53-year-old described his early years working with the trainer and his fellow young hopefuls as the "best of his life".
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He continued: "It was the best years of my life being around Cuevas and watching the Puerto Rican fighters.
"They were such showmen. I tried to personify their machismo showmanship. People that knew Nelson knew he was nobody to f*** with. I love and respect him so much.
"Being around him during my amateur career was the best time of my life. Rest In Peace. End of an Era."
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