Jason Cunningham is convinced he will cap his boxing rebirth with an English title triumph.
The Woodlands fighter has opened a new chapter in his young career by signing with Mexborough-based manager and promoter Stefy Bull, who he will also train under.
And Bull has moved to quickly reward his new charge, setting up a clash with Scott Gladwin for the vacant English bantamweight title at the Dome on March 8.
Cunningham may have a 100 per cent record over his nine fight career but there is a feeling that the former ABA champion has not maximised his potential.
The 24-year-old has based the majority of his boxing life in Hull at the St Paul’s club where Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell was schooled.
But he believes setting up shop in his home town will breathe new life into his career.
“This is something I should’ve done a long time ago,” Cunningham told the Free Press. “I’ve had a lot of personal issues recently and it’s been a tough few months.
“But I feel like I’m back on track now and this move has reignited my love for boxing.
“I’m a very determined person and I’m desperate to succeed in boxing.
“I’m convinced I can go far and I’m determined to show that I’m the next rising star at bantamweight.
“And it starts with the English title fight.”
Cunningham does not have to look far for inspiration at his weight class – gym mate Jamie McDonnell is currently pursuing a second reign as bantamweight world champion.
He said: “You only have to look at what Stefy and (trainer) Dave Hulley have done with Jamie since he’s been with them.
“And how quickly they’ve brought Gavin (McDonnell) on in such a short space of time.
“This is the right place for me to be.
“Going over to Hull was good for me for such a long time and I wouldn’t be where I am now without them.
“But for a while now I feel like I’ve been going through the motions with boxing.
“That won’t be the case now I’m back home.
“The opportunity to fight regularly in Doncaster on Stefy’s shows is a massive bonus that is only going to help my career.”
Cunningham has already shown the size of his home town fanbase by selling out of his initial ticket allocation.
He is determined to repay the support by lifting his first major domestic professional title with victory over Gladwin in March.
Halifax fighter Gladwin has previously fought Cunningham’s new gym mates Gavin McDonnell and Connor Nixon, losing and winning respectively.
He said: “Preparations have gone really well.
“I’ve been down to spar with (former world title contender) Rendal Munroe. I felt really sharp and held my own in there with him.
“I don’t talk much about my opponents but I know he’s a good kid from the fights he’s had in Doncaster before.
“I’m just confident that if I box to the best of my ability that I’ll get the job done.”
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