“RIP Cameron Dunkin”: Former World Champion Join Fans in Mourning and Saddening Demise of Boxing Manager Who Managed Likes of Terence Crawford and Jaron Ennis

Heartfelt condolences are pouring in from the boxing world as the news of Cameron Dunkin‘s sad demise reached. The resident of Las Vegas had been courageously fighting cancer for some time. He was 67.

He was a veteran boxing manager and talent scout. Over the years, he saw through successfully the careers of some of the biggest names in boxing we know. It includes world champions. But there were some of the leading coaches and trainers who learned the ropes under his able guidance. According to several accounts, he had worked with close to 35 world title holders. The boxing community recognized Dunkin as a savvy negotiator. He was well known for skillfully securing favorable deals for his boxers.

Cameron Dunkin: Stitching careers to heights

Most who paid their tributes reminisced about how Cameron Dunkin shaped their careers and influenced them. He was well known for prioritizing the best interests of his charges.

So, offering his condolences, trainer Robert Garcia mentioned that Cameron Dunkin was the first person in boxing to express faith in his abilities as a trainer. They met at the 2004 junior Olympics when he had just commenced his career as a coach, said the award-winning trainer of world champions such as Nonito Donaire, Marcos Maidana, Anthony Joshua, and many more.

Unbeaten former IBO intercontinental super lightweight title holder Brandon Lee also joined. Paying tribute to Camron Dunkin, he remembered him as the first manager to have given him an opportunity to make a name for himself in the boxing world.

Renowned podcaster Steven Kim, of ‘The 3 Knockdown Rule‘ fame, shared how he had known Cameron Dunkin  from the time he started covering boxing. He always treated him with kindness and taught him a great deal about the sport and its business. So rating Dunkin as the finest talent scout in boxing, Kim said that he was relieved that his friend was no longer in pain.

A noted boxing writer with publications such as BoxingScene and Ring TV, Francisco A. Salazar, recalled how Cameron Dunkin would spare his valuable time for him.

Finally, Dan Rafael, while mentioning how Dunkin had slowed down lately, in a fitting tribute, recalled his prowess as far as talent scouting remained  unparalleled.

Terence Crawford, Timothy Bradley, Nonito Donaire, Diego Corrales, Mickey Garcia, and Jesse Vargas are some of the names that Cameron Dunkin managed in his over-three-decade-old career. Towards the end, he continued to manage the IBF welterweight champion Jarron ‘Boots’ Ennis. But, how did he rise up the ranks in the boxing world?

A wheeling journey towards the squared circle

Originally from South Carolina, Cameron Dunkin initially worked as a car finance manager in Phoenix, Arizona. He signaled his entry into the world of boxing in 1991 when he signed former two-division champion Danny Romero. To many, he was a modern-era manager who espoused traditional principles. Employing a hands-on style, he assembled around him an elite bunch of fighters who always sought his wise counsel.

Always standing for his boxer, this is what he spoke about a young Terence Crawford when the Nebraskan had started gaining attention. He said, “He was good you know a tremendous fighter I mean he’s got a ton of talent he can box and he can punch believe me and uh you know he chose the other night to go southpaw and not get hit at all and just win round after round after round…some people didn’t like it I loved it.”

Undoubtedly, given his extensive impact on the sport and the countless careers he influenced, the passing of Cameron Dunkin is a significant loss to boxing.

Read More: “Cool Guy RIP”: Errol Spence Jr Mourns Saddening Demise of Young Boxing Prospect

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