Elvis Yero

Elvis Yero (born 1965-01-26 in Havana, Cuba and died 2001-10-13) was a boxer in the Welterweight division.

Yero grew up in the North Beach section of Miami Beach, Florida. In 1984, he graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School.

Career

Amateur career

At the age of 15, Yero decided on an amateur boxing career. At the 1981 Florida Golden Gloves, Yero stopped Greg Collins of Miami at 1:02 of the second round in the High School Division-139lbs. At the 1982 South Florida Golden Gloves Regional Tournament, Yero TKO'd Lavaniel Hicks from Moore Park at 1:30 of the first round. He won the 132lbs. Division in the South Florida Golden Gloves, and the 139lbs. Division in the South Florida Golden Gloves.

According to an August 21, 1983 report in the Miami Herald, Yero defeated Tommy Williams in the main event of the amateur boxing card at the Verrick Gym in Coconut Grove, Florida. On October 20, 1983, Yero knockedout Jerome McNeal at 1:58 of the 3rd round on an amateur card at the Verrick Gym.

In 1984, Yero won the National AAU Amateur Lightwelterweight Title at 139lbs. On February 14, 1984, Yero decision Tommy Williams in the main event at the Verrick Gym. Two days later, Yero stopped Ron Beasley in 2 rounds in an amateur fight. On March 16, 1984, Yero decisioned Joseph Walkers in North Miami Beach, Florida in an amateur fight. The Miami Herald listed Yero's record as 29-1 (17 knockouts). [Miami Herald, March 16, 1984, Sports, page 2F: YERO, RUBIERA WIN IN GOLDEN GLOVES.]

On March 22, 1984, Yero lost a decision to Clifford Gray at the Southern Regional Florida State Sunshine State Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament at the Victory Park Gym in North Miami Beach. On October 4, 1984, The Miami Herald reported that Ivan Gonzalez TKO'd Yero at 1:30 of the 1st round in the main event at the Verrick Gym. On August 2, 1985, Yero decisioned Derrick Rolan at the National Sport's Festival in Baton Rouge, LA. The Next night, Yero won again.

At the National Sport's Festival on August 5, 1985. Yero lost a 3-2 decision to Nick Kakouris in the 139lbs. Division Championship match. [Miami Herald, August 5, 1985, Sports, page 7C: POUGH, YERO LOSE IN FINALS.]

Professional career

In 1986 Yero turned professional in Florida. Undefeated in his first 10 fights, Yero quickly caught the eye of boxing fans and experts, but then he lost a decision to unheralded Lee Smith in 1991. After a five fight win streak, he again lost, to journeyman Kenny Ellis. This was to be Yero's last fight.

Troubles Outside the Ring

Yero began his troubles with the law at an early age. Yero and his friend Mario Villar, Jr. were arrested by Miami Beach Police for assaulting lawyer Mark Diestag on December 4, 1982 in a Miami Beach park after midnight. Diestag, the husband of Judge Gisela Cardonne-Dienstag, was out walking his dog when he got into a confrontation with Yero, who was 17-0 in amateur boxing at the time, and his friend Villar. Diegtag was brutally beaten and also had numerous bite marks on his body. Yero and Villar were held in jail for 4-months, but on August 16, 1983, both were found not guilty and were released from jail. The court ruled it that Yero and Villar acted in self-defense. [Miami Herald, April 16, 1983, Local, page 1B: JAILED 4 MONTHS, BOXER, PAL FINALLY CLEARED IN STREET FIGHT] Villar was later killed in a motorcycle crash in North Miami Beach, Florida.

Throughout his life, Yero was allegedly arrested more than 50 times. He was charged with grand theft auto, armed robbery, burglary, possession of marijuana and cocaine, domestic violence, drinking in public, dealing in stolen property, lewd and lascivious behavior, panhandling, disorderly conduct and theft, among other charges.

On April 23, 1989, the Miami Herald reported that Yero was arrested for robbing the NCNB Bank at 2391 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach, Florida for $2.22. On July 5, 1990, the Miami Herald reported that Yero was shot in the hand, and arrested, during a drug-sting, when he punched and kicked undercover Miami Beach Police Officer Sunday Sanchez. [Miami Herald, August 21, 1993, Neighbors, page 36: VIRRICK BOXER PUNCHES HIS WAY TO OLYMPICS.]

Death

Yero was found dead in room 212 of the Gold Dust Motel on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami, Florida at 7:35a.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2001. He was survived by his mother and brother. He is buried at Dade Memorial Park in South Miami, Florida. [Miami Herald, Tuesday, October 16, 2001, page 4B Local, Obituaries: ELVIS YERO, 36, PROMISING BOXER, by Elaine De Valle.]

References

External links

*

External links

* [http://www.boxrec.com/media/index.php/Elvis_Yero Boxrec Profile]