Nero Chen
Encyclopedia
Nero Chen a.k.a. El Negro, was Puerto Rico's first professional boxer to gain international recognition.
and lived in Harlem.
There he became interested in the sport of boxing. Chen became the first Puerto Rican professional boxer in 1917, when he fought against "Panama" Joe Gans at the Palace Casino on 136th street and Lenox Avenue in Manhattan, New York City. At the time Chen, a Puerto Rican of African descent, went by the name of El Negro. He lost his first fight against Gans, but beat him in the rematch.
Chen's manager had him change his professional boxing name from Nero Chen to El Negro. Chen then went to Havana
, Cuba
at 170 lbs., fought a Cuban heavyweight named Espagaguerra, and lost.
in Puerto Rico. Chen returned to New York and died of tuberculosis
in 1924.
Boxing career
Little is known about Chen's early years except that "Nero Chen" was his nickname, and that he was born in Puerto Rico. Chen moved to New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and lived in Harlem.
There he became interested in the sport of boxing. Chen became the first Puerto Rican professional boxer in 1917, when he fought against "Panama" Joe Gans at the Palace Casino on 136th street and Lenox Avenue in Manhattan, New York City. At the time Chen, a Puerto Rican of African descent, went by the name of El Negro. He lost his first fight against Gans, but beat him in the rematch.
Chen's manager had him change his professional boxing name from Nero Chen to El Negro. Chen then went to Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
at 170 lbs., fought a Cuban heavyweight named Espagaguerra, and lost.
Later years
In 1918, Chen served as a boxing instructor at Camp Las CasasCamp Las Casas
Camp Las Casas was a United States military instalation established in Santurce, Puerto Rico in 1904. The camp was the main training base of the "Porto Rico Regiment of Infantry," On January 15, 1899, the military government changed the name of Puerto Rico to Porto Rico a segregated U.S...
in Puerto Rico. Chen returned to New York and died of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
in 1924.