The sports world is mourning the loss of Ernesto Cherquis Bialo, who passed away Friday night at the age of 85. Bialo succumbed to a long battle with leukemia, leaving a significant void in Argentine sports journalism. His remains will be laid to rest at the Buenos Aires Legislature, a tribute to his extensive career.
“He called me on the phone and told me he loved us very much. And that we were like his daughters to him. His true family,” shared Marina Cherquis, one of his nieces, in an interview with TN channel.
Marina and her sister are the daughters of the journalist’s brother, Benjamín. Cherquis’ niece revealed that he “called her unexpectedly” and she noticed his voice was “faint,” as she described. “We spoke often. When I saw it was him on the phone, I answered immediately. I heard him with a faint, measured voice. I think he wanted to say goodbye,” Marina confided with sorrow.
And she added: “My uncle fought so hard against this illness. But lately, it became more complicated for him. And he no longer wanted to suffer,” she said, heartbroken.
On Facebook, Marina displayed a black crepe and a photo of the journalist with his family. “We will miss you,” she wrote.
“Rest in peace. Our conversations, our jokes… I hope you’re with my father and celebrating for San Lorenzo. I love you very much. Thank you for always being there for us. Unforgettable, maestro,” she posted.
Guillermo Moreno, former Secretary of Commerce, expressed his surprise and sadness upon hearing the news during a television interview. “I deeply regret this,” he said. “He wrote extraordinary chronicles of boxing,” he admitted, visibly moved.
During the interview on C5N, Moreno recounted a brief anecdote about how he met Cherquis: “I met him at the entrance to the channel and told him that through him I learned to love boxing, and he told me that through me he understood a little more about Peronism. We hugged and went our separate ways,” he recalled.
Cherquis Bialo faced a critical health situation during the second half of 2025 after being diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia following a complication in his respiratory system.
A lack of defenses caused his bone marrow to stop functioning, leading to a severe case of leukemia, as the journalist himself explained.
The former AFA spokesperson was re-hospitalized several weeks ago, though his condition was already irreversible. His wife, Luisa, was by his side during his final moments.
