Luis Nery

Early Life and Amateur Career

 

Luis Nery, born on December 18, 1994, in Tijuana, Mexico, had a humble beginning before emerging as a formidable force in the world of boxing. Growing up in Tijuana, a city known for its vibrant boxing culture, Nery was drawn to the sport from a young age. Inspired by local legends and fueled by a desire to lift his family out of poverty, he began his boxing journey in earnest.

 

Nery’s introduction to boxing came when he was just a child, as he sought refuge in the gym from the challenges of his surroundings. Under the guidance of trainers who recognized his raw talent and unwavering determination, Nery quickly honed his skills and developed a relentless fighting style that would become his trademark.

 

As he progressed through the ranks of amateur boxing, Nery’s star began to rise, catching the attention of scouts and promoters with his impressive performances. His aggressive fighting style, lightning-fast hand speed, and devastating power made him a force to be reckoned with inside the ring, earning him accolades and recognition within the boxing community.

 

One of the defining moments of Nery’s amateur career came when he represented Mexico at the 2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. Competing in the bantamweight division, he showcased his skills on the international stage, ultimately securing a bronze medal and announcing his arrival as a rising star in the sport.

 

Throughout his amateur tenure, Nery amassed an impressive record, displaying a combination of skill, determination, and heart that set him apart from his peers. His success in the amateur ranks laid the foundation for his transition to the professional ranks, where he would go on to achieve even greater heights in the sport of boxing.

 

Professional Career

 

Luis Nery’s journey in the boxing world is one marked by both triumphs and challenges. Despite limited amateur experience, consisting of just nine bouts, Nery emerged victorious in each encounter, with five of those wins coming by way of knockout. His remarkable talent caught the eye of the boxing fraternity, leading to his professional debut in May 2012 at the tender age of 17. Nery’s early professional career was nothing short of impressive, as he clinched victory in his first 18 fights. His ascent continued as he challenged for the vacant WBC Continental bantamweight title against Martín Casillas, where he delivered a dominating performance, securing a unanimous decision victory. His reign saw him defend the regional title against former interim super flyweight world champion David Sánchez, where he displayed his prowess with a fifth-round knockout.

 

However, Nery faced a setback in December 2016 when he was knocked down for the first time in his professional career by Raymond Tabugon. Despite the adversity, Nery bounced back with determination, setting his sights on a world title. His opportunity came against WBC and The Ring bantamweight champion Shinsuke Yamanaka on August 15, 2017, where he delivered a sensational fourth-round stoppage, capturing the titles in dramatic fashion. Yet, Nery’s triumph was marred by controversy when he tested positive for zilpaterol, a banned substance, following the bout. Despite claiming innocence due to food contamination, subsequent tests confirmed the positive result, leading to the reinstatement of Yamanaka as the bantamweight champion by The Ring.

 

Undeterred by the setback, Nery continued to forge ahead, securing victories in subsequent bouts, including a rematch against Yamanaka, where he emerged triumphant with a second-round TKO. His journey led him to face Aaron Alameda for the vacant WBC super-bantamweight title on September 26, 2020, a bout he won via unanimous decision. Nery’s pursuit of greatness continued as he challenged Brandon Figueroa for the WBA regular super bantamweight title in a unification bout, where he suffered defeat in the seventh round. However, he bounced back with a narrow split-decision win over Carlos Castro in his next outing.