Steven Nelson, an undefeated super middleweight and longtime friend of Terence Crawford, is back in the spotlight after a period of uncertainty in his boxing career. At 36, Nelson is not only resuming his journey in the ring but also shaping the lives of young people in Omaha as the executive director of B&B Sports Academy, a nonprofit founded by Crawford and Brian “BoMac” McIntyre.
Nelson recently stopped Marcos Vazquez Rodriguez in the fifth round on the undercard of the Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov event at BMO Stadium. His return to boxing follows an eclectic path marked by setbacks and resilience. Nelson, who gained attention in the 2010s, made a statement in November 2016 by knocking out previously unbeaten Reyes Diaz, who entered the fight with a perfect record of 5-0, all by knockout.
In September 2020, Nelson (20-0, 16 KOs) fought veteran DeAndre Ware and overcame a severe cut above his eye to secure a sixth-round technical knockout victory. However, in early 2021, Nelson’s career faced a significant hurdle when he tore his Achilles during training camp. The injury was exacerbated by the physical toll of managing a handyman business he started after the passing of his mother, Sheila Nelson.
“I was getting up early in the morning, working out all day, and then doing handyman work until late at night,” Nelson said. “It just took a toll on my body.”
Despite being advised to take 14 months off, Nelson was back in the gym within six months. He attempted a comeback in May 2022, but after two years away from the ring, he struggled to make weight, leading to a canceled fight. Around this time, tensions arose between Nelson’s team and Top Rank, following Crawford’s departure from the promotion. Nelson, left without a promotional home, decided to self-promote and fought on Crawford’s undercard in December 2022. However, without the financial backing of major promoters, securing favorable fights proved difficult.
“It’s hard to get fair fights,” Nelson admitted. “So I’ve just been fighting on Bud’s undercard right now.”
Outside the ring, Nelson has found a new calling as the Executive Director of B&B Sports Academy. He has been involved with the academy since its inception and has expanded it into a multi-sport organization that also teaches life skills. The academy offers a range of programs, including tutoring, summer activities, and competitive travel opportunities for kids—reflecting Nelson’s diverse passions.
Now, as Nelson continues to pursue the final stages of his boxing career, he is equally dedicated to giving back to his community, using his experiences to mentor and guide the next generation.
“I built the program from all the different things I’ve learned, especially being in the Army,” Nelson said. “I just want to keep inspiring people. If another man can do it, so can you.”
Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.
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