Cunningham: My time to shine

Story and photos by Bob Ryder

Fightnews caught up with Detroit's Darryl Cunningham as he finished a training session in preparation for his August 6 fight with Kelly Pavlik (37-2, 32 KOs) in Youngstown, Ohio.

The fight is being promoted by Top Rank and will air on Showtime's ShoBox:The New Generation at 10:30 PM ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast).

"The Peoples Choice" Cunningham (23-2, 10 KO's) engaged in the following Q&A.

You have waited a long time for a fight of this importance. What does this opportunity mean to you?
It means the world. I finally have a chance to showcase my skills for the world and to prove again that there is no such thing as an age limit. (Cunningham is 36).

Pavlik took awhile to get untracked in his last fight and struggled a bit in the win. What's your fight plan and have you been working on anything specific in training to execute it?
I don't want to reveal any specifics but I am in top shape mentally and physically. I am prepared to do what I do-have fun and give the crowd an excellent show-and win!

There will be thousands of Kelly's hometown fans in the arena on August 6 yelling and screaming for him to take you out. How are you prepared to deal with this?
The crowd will not bother me at all. I know what I have to do. I've fought in Youngstown before and beat one of their hometown guys and I will do it again.

Do you feel you can win a decision in Youngstown and are you going for a knockout?
Let me say this, I know what I'm up against. I'm just going to do what I do. I feel strong. If it goes to a decision I will make sure the judges see me as the clear winner. There's gonna be an upset in Youngstown!

You are on a 16 bout win streak although the level of your opposition has been questioned. How do you respond to the criticism?
Just with a smile. I know what I am going to do. I've already won the fight in my mind. I want to say that I have nothing but respect for Kelly Pavlik and Bob Arum and I thank them for this opportunity. This is business though. I'm not going to let anyone take this chance away from me to financially better myself and my family.

Have you noticed anything in Pavlik's style that you believe you can exploit?
Yes, lots of stuff but I will have to wait to show it on the 6th. I don't want to reveal what I see. I will say this though, I think someone in Pavlik's camp will get fired for taking this fight after I shock the boxing world with an upset.

Describe your relationship with your advisor/promoter Carlos Llinas.
I trust him truly. I would describe our relationship more like promoter/brother/friend. He believed in me when others did not. If it was not for Carlos pushing for me I would not have this opportunity. I'm grateful for his help. He's a great guy.

It's been stated by the Pavlik camp that one of the reasons they took this fight was to give Kelly some work against a southpaw in preparation for a possible future fight with Lucian Bute. What's your reaction?
I love it! He's looking past me. I'm gonna be the one to fight Bute next because I am going to win this fight, no doubt! It's my time to shine! He's had his time, now it's my time. When it's all said and done it will be my hand that will be raised that night.

What's been the inspiration and motivating force in your boxing career?
My wife and children. That's why I train so hard. I want to give them the best. That's why I will win this fight. I can't let anyone to stand between my family and my providing for them. I'll tell you what else inspires me. The doubters. I love to prove them wrong and will do it again in Youngstown. I also represent Detroit. I want to win this fight for my city and to give it some positive exposure.

Anything you want to say to your fans?
Thanks for everything. God Bless You. Thanks for all your support over the years. We're on our way!
. . . .

Remaining tickets to Pavlik vs. Cunningham, priced at $150 (ringside), $100 (VIP), $50 (Gold), and $25 (Silver), plus $2 facility fee, can be purchased at www.Ticketmaster.com, and by calling (800) 745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the Covelli Centre box office, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.
For Pavlik vs. Cunningham fight week updates, log on to sports.SHO.com or www.toprank.com.