Coach John Brown Always Corner's Prospect Marco Romero
Legendary coach John Brown is always in 20-year-old prospect Marco Romero’s Corner.
Legendary boxing coach John Brown has worked with more than 18,500 young fighters during his 60-plus years in the sport. Yet only two have reached the professional ranks under his guidance: former heavyweight world champion Tommy Morrison and unbeaten prospect Marco “El Tiburón” Romero.
Romero (14-0, 12 KOs), 20, built one of the most impressive amateur records in recent memory. He went 130-5 and won 23 national championships before turning pro.
He also hasn’t lost a fight in nearly seven years. Romero’s last defeat came on June 28, 2019, when he dropped a split decision at the National Junior Olympics.
Since turning pro, Romero has continued to dominate. He has won all 14 of his fights and every one of the 35 rounds on all three judges’ scorecards.
“Marco is my coaching Halley’s Comet,” Brown said. “That only comes around about every 85 years. He has the best mix of skills and talent I’ve ever seen. That’s why he turned pro. For me to train a professional fighter, he has to have the ability and mental toughness to become wealthy and stay healthy.”
Brown is one of the most respected coaches in American boxing history. He founded Ringside Boxing, served as president of USA Boxing and now owns and operates Turner Boxing Academy in Kansas City, Kansas, the largest boxing gym in the United States.
A native of St. Louis, Brown has always put fighter safety first.
That mindset is a big reason why Romero’s career has been handled differently.
The Olathe, Kansas, fighter has trained with Brown since he was 7 years old. Over the years, their relationship has grown beyond boxing.
Now a promotional free agent, Romero is drawing interest from several major promoters. Once he signs, Brown expects to focus entirely on training and managing him. Until now, Brown has also taken on many promotional responsibilities, paying the costs of developing a fighter he believes can become a world champion.
Brown often says Romero and Morrison could not be more different, both as fighters and as people.
For Romero, Brown’s impact extends well beyond the ring.
“Coach John has always taught his fighters to get hit less so they can stay in the sport longer,” Romero said. “Boxing is tough, but it’s also an art. Coach John always talks about taking as little punishment as possible, especially to the head.”
Brown’s goals for Romero are clear.
He wants to help him earn life-changing money, protect his health and retire before his 30th birthday.
The foundation of that plan is what Brown calls the “Triple E.”
“We all know boxing is dangerous,” Brown said. “I only wanted to work with a professional fighter I believed could become wealthy while staying healthy. Limiting damage will always be our goal and we’ve done a good job of that so far. I want Marco to be elusive, explosive and exciting.”
Brown also has a vision for the type of fighter Romero can become.
“I want Marco to have the toughness of Marvin Hagler but be more defensive like Bernard Hopkins and the younger Oscar De La Hoya,” Brown said. “I want him to be like Oleksandr Usyk and Dmitry Bivol, too. They’re great fighters who don’t take a lot of punishment.”