Legendary cutman Joe Villanueva has breathed his last. He worked in the boxing scene for decades and was one of the most respected cutmen in the country. Villanueva worked with countless boxers and still had longstanding relationships with some of the biggest names in the sport. Among those names was Errol Spence Jr., who expressed how big a heartbreak the legendary cutman’s demise at the age of 71.

Errol Spence Jr., for much of his professional career, had been associated with Joe Villanueva. It’s hard to pinpoint the beginning of their working relationship. Nevertheless, the duo developed a strong bond with each other over the years, with Spence Jr. paying a heartfelt tribute on social media.

Errol Spence Jr. fondly remembers Joe Villanueva

Joe Villanueva has left a lasting impression on Errol Spence Jr., who wrote, “RIP to my Cutman Joe Villanueva,” on X with a heart emoticon. The former champion also shared a picture of himself sitting in the locker room with the legendary cutman. Spence Jr.’s tribute to Villanueva underscores the late cutman’s invaluable contributions to his fighting career, standing beside him throughout the many battles he fought.

Beyond the physical care he provided, Joe Villanueva was also one of Errol Spence Jr.’s most trusted confidants. Even though he’s a vital part of the boxer’s success inside the squared circle, the cutman developed genuine connections with more than just Spence Jr. So, Villanueva’s loss is an emotional one for ‘The Truth’ and for several other boxers, too.

Villanueva, looking back at his life, used to be a Navy corpsman who learned to be a cutman on an aircraft carrier during the 1970s. So, he had experience witnessing intramural boxing. “A lot of kids would get beat up by the Marines. I’d have to suture ’em up,” the late cutman told San Antonio Express in 2016. Then, his life would take a turn for the better when he started honing his skills under Joe Souza.

Joe Souza is an iconic name in the boxing world who has worked with some of the most legendary boxers ever, such as Evander Holyfield, Arturo Gatti, and Wladimir Klitschko. That experience helped Villanueva get better at his craft. Besides, working as a cutman was always something he found meaning in. He cared about the fighters and always made sure that he made use of the time that he got to treat the boxers. “You’ve only got one minute between rounds. You’ve only got one minute between rounds,” Villanueva added.

Joe Villanueva’s passing hasn’t just sparked reactions online from boxers, but also from other cutmen. San Antonio-based Augie Melendez, who has worked with boxers like Jermall Charlo, also paid tribute to Villanueva and shared a story about their initial meeting. Here’s what he had to say.

Fellow cutman recalls meeting Villanueva for the first time

Augie Melendez may not be a big name when it comes to the cutmen in boxing, but he’s slowly making his mark. He revealed on Instagram that it was Joe Villianueva who helped him “find” his way while he was in a pretty bad shape almost a decade ago. Melendez also revealed that it was Cutman Joe who helped him discover boxing in the second-biggest city in Texas.

“He introduced me to the beautiful world of professional boxing here in San Antonio, and without hesitation, he threw me into working on the biggest stage — trusting that I’d rise to the occasion,” Melendez wrote. “Thank you Cutman Joe for showing me how to fight the good fight, and for teaching me how to fight injuries one round at a time. You will forever be appreciated, loved, & missed.”

Even though he’s gone, Joe Villanueva is being celebrated not just for being a legendary cutman but also for the person he was. There’s no doubt that Errol Spence Jr.’s show of respect to his fallen comrade shows how often people overlook the role that cutmen play in the dangerous sport of boxing. Our prayers are with Cutman Joe and his family.