Local boxer Rocky Dunkin will make his professional boxing debut this Saturday night at the Voodoo Lounge inside Harrah’s Casino in North Kansas City. The 24-year-old Dunkin will face off with Kevin Hockman in a middleweight bout.
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Dunkin is already very familiar with the boxing industry, after an amateur career that saw him run a record of 128-37. Dunkin has amassed a collection of several titles in the amateur ranks, including silver mittens, silver gloves and AAU-ABF. Dunkin is also a four-time Golden Glover and a three-time MO Valley senior champion.
Dunkin has competed in the Junior Olympics, Ringside World Championships and the U.S. Championships.
After winning at the U.S. Championships in 2004, Dunkin was able to try out for the Olympic team. The man who eventually beat out Dunkin was Andre Ward, who went on to win the gold medal.
Dunkin now turns pro, signing with Danger-Fire Promotions. Danger-Fire Promotions is owned and operated by former Trenton Boxing Club member and Gallatin native Craig Cummings. Cummings, a professional boxer himself, was a former teammate of Rocky’s father and manager, Donnie Dunkin, who boxed professionally from 1983-1987.
“It makes me feel more comfortable, knowing that I have signed with someone my father knows very well, being as they were teammates in years past,” Rocky said.
Dunkin has stepped up his training regimen quite a bit for his first professional fight.
“We usually run four to five miles every day,” Dunkin said. “In preparation for an amateur fight we would usually run two to three miles three times a week.”
A typical workout for Dunkin usually includes running; exercises, such as push-ups, sit-ups and jumping jacks; plyometrics; shadow boxing; and bag work. Dunkin spends about four hours in the gym every night.
“It’s very, very tough,” Dunkin said. “It’s the same old same old, routine night in and night out.”
One area of training that Team Dunkin feels they could use more of is sparring.
“It’s very hard to find someone for Rocky to spar with around here,” Donnie Dunkin said. “He is so much more advanced than the other boxers in the area. Sparring is a very key component to our success in the ring and for future sites, we will probably make more trips to the city to get the sparring we need.”
Not only has Dunkin’s training regimin changed, but the equipment will be different as well. In the amateur ranks, boxers wear head gear and use 12-ounce gloves. In Saturday’s bout, the head gear will be gone and Dunkin will be using 8-ounce gloves, standard for the professional level. The rounds will be longer as well, something Donnie Dunkin feels will be the biggest factor of all.
“We have to be in the best shape of our lives to be able to compete at the professional level,” he said. “Other than that, it’s just boxing, something he has grown up with and done his whole life.”
Dunkin’s team will consist of Donnie Dunkin, who will be head trainer and manager; Brad Chumbley and Ryan Dunkin, who will be the corner assistants; and Rocky Jones, who is the assistant trainer.
An open public viewing will be held every night this week from 5:30 to 7:30 o’clock at the training facility below the Five Points Mini-Mall. This is a chance for the public to come in, show their support and see the work that goes into preparing for a professional fight.
Tickets to the fight are also available through Team Dunkin. Persons interested may stop by the gym or contact Donnie Dunkin at 357-2998 or Brad Chumbley at 339-7832. Tickets start at $30 and go up to $60 for ringside seats.
Dunkin, who signed a three-year contract with Danger-Fire Promotion, expects good things in the future.
“I am very pleased with where I am at the present time,” Dunkin said. “I am looking forward to this opportunity and the fight. I’m thankful for the community and their continued support and I hope to see a few familiar faces Saturday night.”