Venegas took up boxing and his performance in the ring soon caught the attention of the island's recently established Olympic Committee.

The 1948 Summer Olympics celebrated in London, was a historical one for Puerto Rico because it was the first time that the island would participate as a nation in an international sporting event.

[2] In their opening ceremonies, the Puerto Rican delegation carried the flag of the United States into the Olympic stadium.

Venegas, a southpaw, fought in the bantamweight and featherweight division for a total of 32 fights, compiling a record of 20-10-2.

[7] On April 16, 1987, Juan Evangelista Venegas died when he suffered a fall at his home which caused a skull fracture.