If you were looking for former Grambling State University track-star, Darwin Price around campus and couldn’t find him the reason why is because at the moment, he is anticipating entering the ring after hearing the announcer scream, “and now in the right corner we have father, boxer, dreamer and friend by way of St. Louis, Darwin Price!”
The former GSU distance runner is now making a name for himself as a professional boxer in Savannah, Calif., fighting for Garcia Boxing, a small professional training camp that trains two professional boxers at a time.
As a child, Price always had the dream of becoming a professional boxer but didn’t believe it was in his path after college until Lamarkis Cowan, a childhood friend who was also a boxer, motivated him.
“He would always bring me to the gym, and he inspired me and gradually I fell in love with the sport,” said Price. “But coming, to college, my boxing dream went away.”
Boxing seemed beyond his grasp when he was growing up, and college seemed like the best outlet to better himself, but after graduating, reality hit.
“I am all for college education, especially amongst African American men, but sometimes I feel like I wasted my time going to college,” said Price.
Throughout college Price continued to train, having no idea that this was in his will. Instead, Price was working on going professional in track, since he had been doing distance running throughout his college career.
Price began his training for a professional track career with Oklahoma State University coach Daniel Stults.
Price had begun to gain sponsors through his coach when he was hit with some troubling news. He was informed that his cousin, Preston Freeman, who trained at Garcia Boxing, was killed returning to his hometown of St. Louis, for a visit before a scheduled fight.
Prior to Price’s graduation in May 2012, Price had spoken with Freeman about considering boxing but didn’t take the talk seriously until after his cousin’s death.
When Price received a call from Max Garcia, a trainer and owner of Garcia Boxing, the sports management major was ecstatic for the opportunity but also saddened that he would have to leave his daughters, Kamorah and Kiley Price.
“I always said I would never leave my girls after I leave college, it was hard enough leaving them for college,” Price said. “That was the hardest thing I’ve had to do but I have to support them and my fiancé. I get emotional thinking about the fact that I’ve only seen my girls once within the last eight months.”
The former track athlete said that some people within the gym didn’t have faith in him. There was resentment because the gym didn’t take just anyone nor did they invest in someone they didn’t think could fight or who they hadn’t seen fight.
“So many people were looking as if, ‘because his cousin died he gets a pass?,'” said Price. “But I feel that God puts you where you’re suppose to be.”
But people were making disparaging remarks, not knowing that Price was walking talent.
After training for about a year while at GSU, Price was set up for his first professional fight on July 2, 2012 and he won.
“It used to be fun,” Price said. “It still is but the difference is now this is my job and how I feed my family.” “This industry is kill- or- be killed. You have to know the risk you are taking entering the ring.”
Price said a fighter died recently in the ring at the age of 26 and he advises to those who want to enter the boxing industry.
“Business-wise, when you’re professional it’s a dirty game,” said Price. “You cant trust anyone so you should make sure you have the right people in your corner.”
Preparing for his fourth professional fight scheduled for Dec. 7, Darwin makes sure his body stays fit and that he is tough physically and mentally for this fight.
He even promises his #Gramfam that he will try to wear Grambling States Colors with R.I.P. the legendary football coach to Eddie Robinson on the back of his clothing.