DC - My manager/promoter, Mr. Aljoe Jaro of Jaro Promotions International, he works hard to make my tune-up fight maybe on February 18 or 24 in my hometown in Iloilo City against Japanese or Indonesian good opponent before we go for the world title eliminator on April against Ganigan Lopez ranked WBC number one. [Editor’s note: As of press time, Cuello is slated to meet Kid Suryana on March 10 in Iloilo City, Ilioilo, Philippines.]
AW - There are some very good fighters at strawweight at the moment. What do you think of the current champions like the WBC’s Kazuto Ioka, the WBA’s Akira Yaegashi, the IBF’s Nkosinathi Joyi and the WBO’s Moises Fuentes?
DC - Yes I know...Kazuto Ioka of the WBC, Akira Yaegashi of the WBA, Nkosinathi Joyi of the IBF, all those champions are good…My question is: Why don’t the champions want to fight me? My manager/promoter sent the offer to them but they don’t want to fight me. I don’t know. For me, I’m the real champion.
AW - You are ranked highly by both the WBC and IBF. You have said a few things about Ioka. Is a fight with him or Joyi something you’d like to get in 2012?
DC – Yes, this 2012, I’ll make sure I’ll fight for the world title. Maybe in WBC. Thanks to the WBC to give me chance to fight for the title eliminator against Ganigan Lopez of Mexico. As of now, my manager/promoter works hard to bring the WBC title eliminator here in the Philippines maybe on April 7. My manager/promoter sent already the offer to the Lopez camp. As of now, my manager/promoter is waiting to hear the answer from Lopez’s camp.
AW - Who are the members of your team? Also, where do you regularly train?
DC - Team Cuello is made of my manager/promoter, Aljoe Jaro, he’s also my chief trainer and of all the boxers in his own gym. Also, my second trainer is George Sol. My conditioning trainer, Francisco Jaro, the former national team soccer player and older brother of my manager/promoter, Aljoe Jaro.
AW - You were born in Cabatuan in the Philippines. Can you tell us about your youth? Were things tough for you like they are for many boxers?
DC – Yes, I was born in Cabatuan, Iloilo. When I was young...when I turned nine years old, I started to fight inside the ring as an amateur boxer. I entered some of boxing competitions. My amateur record was 76 wins, seven losses. During my school days, I was a warrior! (laughs) I always make trouble on the street and inside the campus of our school. After I graduated in high school, I decided to be a professional boxer. That was when I was 16 years old.
AW - How did you first become interested in boxing?
DC - When I saw on television, the Atlanta Olympic Games, when the Filipino boxer fought for the final gold medal and he lost a very controversial decision, that’s my idol Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco. After that, I got interested to become a boxer.
AW - You turned pro in your teens. Why did you turn pro at such a young age? You’re already in your ninth year as a pro. Can you tell us how you feel you have progressed?
DC - When I turned professional boxer, I was 16 years old of age. Yes, I feel that. When I was 17 years old and in one year as a professional boxer, I become a Philippine champion and I made four defences of my title and nobody beat me. After that, as a Philippine champion, my manager/promoter gave me a chance for the WBC International title against veteran opponent Hiroshi Matsumoto of Japan and I won by four-round KO. So I feel every fight I make, I have progressed and I’m a world silver champion. We’re waiting for the regular title very soon.
AW - Can you tell us about yourself and what your home life is like? What are your hobbies and interests?
DC – Well, as of now, I have my own house and lot in Cabatuan, Iloilo. After my every fight, I make a vacation to my hometown and relax in my own house with my family and play games on the computer. During Thursday and Sunday, I go to church.
AW - What are your goals in boxing?
DC - Of course, to become a World Champion and my goal in my boxing career is, in the smallest weight class, to become an Undisputed Champion in three boxing organization like the WBC, WBA and IBF.
AW - What boxers did you look up to when you were younger and who do you like to watch today?
DC - My idol is Olympian boxer Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco and I like to watch today all boxing champions.
AW – Finally, do you have a message for the boxing world?
DC - Once again, thank you to you, sir, especially to our Almighty God. To all boxing fans and to all boxing fans who know me, I promise to all of you that this year, 2012, I will become a World Champion. Please, always pray for me and for my success. Without your support, I can’t do anything. I love all of you.
