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Dunkin to manage Nelson
Photo
Nelson
Photo
Loew
Former promoter of
Kelly Pavlik to guide
Nelson’s career
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
It took local boxer Willie Nelson just two minutes and 43 seconds to dispose of Darryl Cunningham on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
After the fight, it took his trainer, Jack Loew, less than that to announce that Cameron Dunkin will officially become the manager for the Mahoning Valley’s light middleweight contender.
Dunkin, who was ranked No. 20 in 2008 by Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Iole as one of the top-25 most powerful people in boxing, is ready to go to work with the hopes of returning Nelson (22-1-1, 13 KOs) to his former No. 4 world ranking.
“I have my thoughts, but nothing set in stone just yet,” Dunkin said. “I want to speak with Willie’s promoter and see why he hasn’t been fighting, then I’ll meet with both Willie and Jack so we can formulate our game plan.
“I have five fighters with another company on HBO and I can tell you right now that they like Willie and want to use him.”
Nelson’s promoter is Lou DiBella, but it is Dunkin who is known as the mover and shaker within the industry, having managed former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik during his title run.
Dunkin fell short of calling this a sense of urgency, but added that he will begin immediately to lay the groundwork for Nelson with HBO.
“I want to speak with HBO this week because Willie needs to fight again,” Dunkin said. “One round Saturday was not enough so I want to keep him busy and get him back into the ring.
“It’s a small window for a boxer and he needs a shot at making some good money.”
A late strategic change in the locker room the night of the fight that might have led to Cunningham’s early dismissal.
“The original plan was to wear him down and just box, hoping to catch him in the later rounds,” Nelson said. “Jack said just go out, use my jab and pop him in the face, then see how he reacts.
“Some boxers come back with a hard shot of their own while others move around and tend to hold onto you after that,” Nelson said.
“Jack’s strategy really paid off.”
Nelson, fully recovered from elbow surgery but idle almost a year to the date of his fight with Cunningham, welcomes Dunkin to his team and cannot wait to see how things unfold.
“I cannot tell you how pleased I am to have Cameron in our corner,” Nelson said. “I feel good because he is a guy who gets things done and always looks after his fighters.
“I want to keep busy and would really like a shot at a title while making some good money. Cameron is someone who I believe can do that.”
The South Side Boxing Club culminated a perfect week in high profile fights — heavyweight Daniel Martz and welterweight Prenice Brewer also won bouts.
“Cameron is definitely the missing piece,” Loew said. “He gives us bargaining leverage — not just take and accept who you are paired with because that’s how it has been for Willie the last 20 fights or so.
“He’s one of the best managers in the business, doesn’t back down and gets the best fights for his boxers,” Loew said. “He’s built stars the right way. He did it for Kelly [Pavlik].”
According to Loew, the allure of television is the next step.
“With five fighters currently on television, Cameron controls where and when they fight and their placement on the card,” Loew said. “He’ll get us an opportunity to showcase our talents, however it’s then up to us to prove that we are worthy and we must take advantage of that opportunity.
“I guarantee you we will get the opportunity because he is the master of placement, continually putting his fighters in position to succeed and not fail.”
Nelson improved to 5-0 under Loew, who said he has anything but ring-rust after a 50-week layoff.
In those five fights, Nelson has beaten fighters with a combined record of 112-10-2.
“I told Willie after he stuck that jab in Cunningham’s face that he would know the outcome, and we did,” Loew said. “Willie is tall, slender and can hit with the best of them.
“We’re all excited about the direction in which things are headed,” Loew said. “This win definitely takes the sting away from the last 10 weeks or so of inactivity.”