According to Cepeda, he was born while his mother Leonor was in the middle of a Bomba dance. He attended San Augustin Catholic School until the 8th grade in San Juan. After Cepeda finished 8th grade he took up amateur boxing and worked as a carpenter.
Cepeda's birth coincided with his mother, Leonor, performing a Bomba dance. He completed elementary school at San Augustin Catholic School in San Juan before pursuing amateur boxing and carpentry work.