Darren Cunningham III makes home debut June 11

St. Louis-born Darren Cunningham III makes his ring return on June 11 at The Ambassador in Missouri. Cunningham, a rising super bantamweight prospect, has fought all over the U.S. and Mexico, but will step into the ring for the first time in his native St. Louis as a pro. Cunningham currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada where he works out of a private gym with trainer Rafael Ramos.

Cunningham, 25, has fought underneath top lightweight Devin Haney three times in his career and will share the venue on June 11 with tough veterans Sharone Carter and Vaughan Alexander. Cunningham, 15-2 (8), fights to earn greater opportunities and establish himself as a standout contender in a division that boasts elite competitors such as Stephen Fulton, Murodjon Akhmadaliev, and Brandon Figueroa. Cunningham moved up to the eight-round distance in 2021.

Cunningham will be taking on the very durable Diuhl Olguin of Mexico. Olguin, a veteran of forty-three fights, has only been stopped three times in his career. Olguin has a history of fighting his opponents close on the cards and has ten split verdicts on his resume. Featherweight contender Miguel Flores walked away from Olguin with a questionable split verdict last June.

“He’s not laying down for anyone,” David Belcher, Cunningham’s manager, said of Olguin. “He just went the distance with the 2020 silver medalist Duke Ragan. Darren is making tremendous progress since his last defeat and he’s fully focused and anxious to put on a stellar performance in front of his hometown for the first time as professional. The future is really bright for Darren if he’s fully focused and healthy.”

It’s been since 2017 that Olguin has not heard the final bell in defeat. However, that’s the type of challenge that can help separate Cunningham from his peers. Zolani Tete and Azat Hovhannisyan are two elite class fighters that have been able to stop Olguin and that would put Cunningham in great company. With a little help from his left hook, it could become a reality.

Cunningham fought eight of his first nine bouts in Mexico, so the warmth of a hometown crowd will be a welcomed advantage against his Mexican opponent.

“I come from a boxing family so it’s in my blood,” Cunningham asserted. “My uncles were professionals and they inspired me to box and turn professional. In the amateurs, I had over 100 bouts and competed in all the national tournaments there were in a period of ten years. I am proud of the journey and how far I have come not only as a professional but as a person as well.”

Cunningham watched the success of Cory Spinks closely as a young amateur. Like the local hero, Cunningham met with defeat inside of first fifteen fights. His most recent loss was by majority decision over eight rounds. Both fighter and manager had some valuable take aways from the experience.

“I honestly believe that Darren is the best 122 pounder in boxing,” Belcher stated. “The two ‘lessons’, which we don’t consider losses, will eventually get those top guys picked off if they decide to go off of records.”

For most, defeat is inevitable. Time will heal those wounds, typically, and the scars serve as reminders for future growth.

“In defeat, I have learned you should always be fully invested in the fight from the mental and physical aspect or else you shouldn’t fight,” Cunningham explained. “What I have learned from winning would have to be to work even harder and never stop, no matter what. My long-term goal would have to be making a difference, not only in boxing, but in the world as a whole and showing people that you can make it no matter where you come from or your circumstances.”

Should these career lessons serve to get Cunningham back on track, his team has a course mapped out for the future.

“Our plans for the rest of the year is to fight once more in September and use the fall/winter to get better and stronger for next year,” Belcher reasoned. “The two current champions should unify so they can become undisputed at the end of this year so we’re going to navigate and position ourselves to get one of those belts.”

Cunningham will fight in the main event of the Midwest Connect card at The Ambassador at 9800 Halls Ferry Road in St. Louis. Doors open at 4:00 PM with the first bell scheduled to ring at 5:00 PM. Tickets are available through EventBrite or by calling 702-906-6697 or 314-335-9830.