New Faces: David Cuellar
Photos courtesy Promociones del Pueblo
Age: 21
Hometown: Queretaro, Mexico
Weight class: bantamweight
Height: 5-foot-6 (173 cm)
Amateur record: 90-10
Turned pro: 2017
Pro record: 23-0 (16 knockouts)
Trainer: Chepo Reynoso
Manager: David Cuellar Sr. and Bronco Contreras
Promoter: Promociones del Pueblo
Instagram: @General_Cuellar_
Best and worst night of pro career and why: In terms of boxing, Cuellar feels his top performance was his sixth-round stoppage of veteran Moises Fuentes in October 2021.
“I threw the best punches I have thrown in my career and I knocked him out dramatically,” he said.
In terms of life, however, this fight will always be associated with tragedy. Fuentes suffered a brain injury during the bout, was placed in a medically induced coma, and passed away from complications 13 months later in November 2022.
“I have nothing to say about that unfortunate event,” said Cuellar. “I just hope his family is well and Moy finds peace.”
Read: Ex-champ Moises Fuentes dies at age 37
Why he’s a prospect: The highlight of Cuellar’s amateur career came when he won a silver medal at the 2014 National Olympics.
As a professional, the young Mexican has gained experience sparring with former junior bantamweight beltholder Carlos Cuadras and former strawweight titlist Francisco Rodriguez Jr., who is currently The Ring’s No. 10-rated junior bantamweight.
Cuellar feels one key attribute will separate him from his rivals: “I think my best feature is I can think in the ring and fight intelligently.”
Watch Cuellar KO 9 Karim Arce on YouTube
The 21-year-old has grown into his man strength and is currently riding an eight-knockout streak. Cuellar’s promoter, Oswaldo Kulche of Promociones del Pueblo, has high hopes for the burgeoning star of his stable.
“He’s physically big for the weight class and will go to 118 pounds,” said Kulche. “[He has a] long reach, hits hard and reminds me of Erik Morales in style. He has ‘superstar’ written all over him.”
Salvador Rodriguez of ESPN KnockOut is familiar with Cuellar and also regards him highly.
“David is a talented young man who has two things that every coach values: punch and discipline,” said Rodriguez. “At his pace, he has done really well. But to go for the big fish, you have to navigate deep water, and that remains to be seen.”
A move up to bantamweight appears well-timed, with undisputed champion Naoya Inoue having recently vacated his collection of belts to step up to junior featherweight. This could see Cuellar fight for a world title sooner rather than later.
Why he’s a suspect: So far, Cuellar has looked impressive but has only fought in Mexico. He could benefit from elite sparring and a spot on the undercard of a show in the U.S. Neither is a must, but both would boost his experience.
We have seen fighters in the past find tragedy difficult to deal with, and the emotional weight has sometimes greatly hampered their careers. So far it appears that his mental game has not been adversely affected by what happened to Fuentes.
Skill-wise, Rodriguez says the young fighter is a long way from the finished article.
“Chepo Reynoso told me that there are many technical things to improve, but [Cuellar] has the essence of a good student,” he said. “Better defense will be sensational when it comes time to face the elite.”
Watch Cuellar KO 4 Gilberto Pedroza on YouTube
Storylines: Cuellar, who has four brothers and one sister, had a middle-class upbringing in Queretaro, which is located in Central Mexico.
“Thank God and my father, I never had to contribute money in the house,” he said. “My father is a businessman and always took care of everything perfectly. My family is big because my father liked that.” (laughs)
Cuellar became interested in boxing at a young age and actively pursued it with the help and guidance of his father.
“I was 5 years old when I saw boxing for the first time,” he revealed. “I decided I wanted to be a world champion like boxers on TV, and my dad helped me train that discipline. He always supports me to be better every day.”
Cuellar admires former pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez for several reasons: “He is a great boxer, he has discipline and has grown as a person and fighter.
“My goal is to leave a mark in boxing. Something that people recognize me with and identify with.”
Outside of boxing, Cuellar lives a low-key life.
“I don’t usually go to clubs or nightclubs, because I’m focused on boxing,” he said. “I don’t have vices like alcohol. Therefore, my circle of friends is very small, and I only talk to them when I’m playing video games in my free time. Most of the time I’m training, and sometimes I’m reading. I am also studying English.”
Fight-by-Fight record
2022
Oct. 1 – Gilberto Pedroza – KO 4 (watch on YouTube)
June 17 – Yader Cardoza – KO 5 (watch on YouTube)
Feb. 6 – Ricardo Blandon – KO 6
2021
Oct. 16 – Moises Fuentes – KO 6
June 12 – Karim Arce – KO 9 (watch on YouTube)
2020
Nov. 21 – Hector Robles – TKO 4
Sept. 11 – Irving Ordaz Rosgado – KO 2
2019
Nov. 9 – Ivan Meneses – TKO 4 (watch on YouTube)
Sept. 21 – Jordan Escobar – UD 10
July 27 – Jose Ramirez Armenta – TKO 6 (watch on YouTube)
June 22 – Emmanuel Cerda – TKO 1 (watch on YouTube)
Apr. 13 – Rogelio Gonzalez – KO 1
March 2 – Jose Alpizar – TKO 2 (watch on YouTube)
2018
Nov. 10 – Victor Trejo Garcia – UD 6
Sept. 1 – Christian Negrete Benavides – SD 4
July 21 – Angel Chavez – TKO 1
June 29 – Adolfo Aceves – TKO 3
May 6 – Juan Carlos Casimiro – UD 6
March 17 – Sawyer Flores – UD 4
Feb. 3 – Juan Garcia Angulo – TKO 1
2017
Dec. 17 – Juan Quiros – MD 4
Sept. 16 – Isaac Huesca Pineda – TKO 1
July 1 – Rigo Omar Martinez Hernandez – UD 4
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].
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