Legendary boxing coach John Brown Compares cornering Tommy Morrison & Rising young star Marco Romero
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 21 Aug 2025
Marco Romero (L) with Coach John Brown.
“The Homecoming” on Sept. 6 in Olathe, Kansas
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (August 20, 2025) – Boxing coach John Brown, who has trained nearly 20,000 boxers, has chosen to guide only two in the professional ranks, the late World Heavyweight Champion Tommy “The Duke” Morrison, and undefeated prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero, who is set to headline "The Homecoming" event on September 6 in Olathe, Kansas.
In advance of Romero’s upcoming 8-round main event against Javier Dario Aragon (7-1-1, 3 KOs), Brown spoke about Morrisson and Romero and their contrasting work ethic, personalities, and lifestyles.
Turner Boxing Academy, owned and operated by Brown in Kansas City (KS), is promoting “The Return” at Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas.
The 19-year-old Romero was a 23-time national amateur, who is set to make his hometown debut as a pro in Olathe in his first scheduled 8-round bout. He will compete at middleweight after previously fighting at super middleweight.
Morrison and Romero share some career milestones. Morrison debuted professionally at age 19, while Romero started at 18. Both were undefeated going into their tenth pro fights. Each had success as amateurs—Romero achieved recognition nationally more than Morrison—although neither competed in the Olympics.
But that’s where their comparisons end.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with troubled kids. In 1988, I stumbled into Tommy Morrison. He was fat and out of shape, but he looked like he could punch,” remembered Brown, who served as manager/head trainer for both fighters. “He didn’t have a good, solid foundation in life, which led to his demise in boxing and life. Tommy was troublesome during training; I have Marco Romero now. Tommy didn’t have the coachability, good family and mental toughness that Marco has. Marco does anything and everything he’s asked. Tommy would take a whole month off and go hide. You can’t appreciate heaven unless you’ve been to hell. I was in hell with Tommy Morrison, but now I’m in heaven, and I can tell you heaven is a lot more fun than hell.
“Tommy and I were like oil and water. I want my fighters’ brains to be very low mileage. How to hit and not be hit is what I’ve always taught boxers. Marco is the whole package. He puts in hard, physical work to be in the best shape and to keep improving his skills. Marco’s a good-looking kid with a magnetic personality that draws in people.”
Brown trained Morrison from 1988 to 1993, guiding him to a win over George Foreman and the WBO Heavyweight title. Their partnership eventually ended bitterly with a lawsuit.
“My relationship with Coach John is more than just boxer and coach,” Romero explained. “Like I’ve said, he’s a father figure and our relationship has only grown over the years. He means a lot to me because, just like my parents and everyone involved with my team, he has a tremendous amount of belief and faith that I will be world champion one day. That makes me believe in myself even more. I work hard every day to accomplish that for Coach John and all my people in KC.”
In the 8-round co-featured event, undefeated Topeka (KS) heavyweight John “Iron Man” Cantrell (14-0, 13 KOs) takes on Portland “The Prince” Pringle (5-5, 1 KO), fighting out of Lexington, Kentucky.
2019 National Golden Gloves Tournament gold medalist and 2-time winner of The Ringside World Championships winner, Kansas City (KS) welterweight Marcell Davidson (6-0, 4 KOs) faces Ociel Vazquez (2-1, 2 KOs), of Dallas, in a 4-rounder.
2022 USA Boxing Elite Champion, Leawood (KS) cruiserweight Ben Turla, will make his pro debut in a 4-round bout against Randy “SPAWN” Martina (1-0, 1) from Fort Riley, Kansas.
A pair of Kansas welterweights, Anthony Adams, Jr. (6-1, 5 KOs), of Kansas City and Topeka’s Marquis Hawthorne (1-0, 1 KO), are matched in a 4-round bout to open the pro segment of the card.
Card subject to change.
“The Homecoming” is a fundraiser for the Turner Boxing Academy. The primary sponsor of this event is McCarthy Auto Group, and a part of the proceeds will be donated to Safe Kids Johnson County.
Tickets are on sale and reasonably priced at $75.00 (reserved rows 1-3) and $40.00 (general admission) for purchase online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-homecoming-pro-boxing-in-olathe-ks-tickets-1513153987309?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. Contact Turner Boxing Academy at 913.515.6431 or www.turnerboxing.com for more information.
A 4-bout USA Boxing-sanctioned amateur card, starting at 6:30 p.m. CT, will precede the pro card.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. CT.
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