29-year-old Derrieck Cuevas is slated for the biggest fight of his career against WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. Their 12-round title fight is scheduled to unfold this Saturday night at the Fontainebleau Arena in Las Vegas. Adding to the excitement, the bout will be Cuevas’ first shot at a major title since he debuted in professional boxing back in 2014. 

Despite an impressive record of 27-1-1, Cuevas has largely remained under the radar. His resume lacks marquee names that could elevate his standing in the division, and his inactivity hasn’t helped—he hasn’t fought at all in 2024. Now, in a high-stakes return, he faces Norman Jr. in what could be a career-defining moment. As fight night approaches, fans are eager to learn more about Cuevas, his journey, and the road that led him here.

Is Derrieck Cuevas Puerto Rican? Ethnicity and nationality

If his name didn’t give it away immediately, Cuevas is a Puerto Rican, part of the US territory. He was born and raised on the island, and today, he proudly represents the Puerto Rican flag on the world stage. While not much is known about his ethnicity, Cuevas is part of the broader Puerto Rican ethnic group. This is largely characterized by a mix of Taíno (indigenous), Spanish (European), and African ancestry, reflecting the island’s historical demographic composition.

Puerto Rico, of course, has a rich history of producing some of the finest boxers the sport has ever seen. It includes Félix Trinidad and Miguel Cotto, the sort of fighters Cuevas definitely looks up to and aspires to emulate. Currently, the 29-year-old is on a four-fight knockout streak. But his inactivity in the last year has cast clouds of doubt among many about his chances of beating a seasoned fighter like Norman Jr. Regardless if Cuevas can pull off an upset, he might be able to establish himself as Puerto Rico’s next big boxing star.

Which religion does Derrieck Cuevas follow?

Cuevas’ religious beliefs, unfortunately, remain a mystery, as there is no documented information available specifying his faith. However, his surname, ‘Cuevas,’ sheds some light on what religion he may follow. The name itself is derived from the plural form of ‘cueva,’ meaning ‘cave.’ As per sources, the name is largely associated with the Castile region in Spain.

This region predominantly follows Christianity, and given that the island has been heavily influenced by Spanish colonialism, which introduced Roman Catholicism in the late 15th century, there’s a good chance Derrieck Cuevas also follows the faith. Despite that, without explicit details from the boxer himself, it’s difficult to confirm that theory. 

Having said that, Derrieck Cuevas has the background often associated with great boxers. However, only time will tell whether Cuevas can join the likes of Trinidad and Cotto after his next fight. What did you think about his background?