KANSAS CITY, Kan. (February 26, 2025) – Although Kansas isn’t a hotbed for boxing, blue-chip super middleweight prospect Marco “El Tiburón” Romero (4-0, 3 KOs) is on a mission to personally put his state on the pugilistic map, so to speak, as the potential successor to his favorite boxer, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
In a state known for its invaluable role in agriculture, often referred to as the “Breadbasket of America,” sports in Kansas City are ruled by the Kansas City Chiefs, the University of Kansas men’s basketball team, and occasionally the Kansas City Royals.
Kansas has only produced three professional world boxing champions: heavyweight Jess “Pottawatomie Giant” Willard (22-5-1, 21 KOs), a Hall of Famer born in St. Clere who fought out of Pottawatomie; plus, a pair of Garden City-born fighters, welterweight Victor Ortiz (33-7-3, 25 KOs) and lightweight Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (35-5-1, 26 KOs), who both turned pro in 2004. Willard, of course, is best known for knocking out Jack Johnson in round 26 of their 1915 World Heavyweight Championship match. In addition to “Canelo,” Ortiz and Rios also served as models for a young Romero.
Two other non-native Kansans who fought out of Kansas and captured world titles are heavyweight Tommy “The Duke” Morrison” (48-3-1, 42 KOs) and welterweight Rube “The Kansas Rube” Ferns (45-18-10, 32 KOs).
The irony is Romero’s manager/head trainer, living legend John Brown, has turned only two pros from the 18,000-plus amateurs he has trained, Romero and Morrison. Boxing hasn’t been a big draw in Kansas City – Kansas or Missouri – since Morrison (1988-2008), who fought nine times as a pro in that market, including a world title fight at Kemper Arena (Kansas City, MO).
Other Kansas-natives who were outstanding boxers include No. 1 world rated heavyweight Fred “The Rochester Plasterer” Fulton (79-16-2, 71 KOs / 1913-1933), of Rochester; 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist Nico Hernandez (11-0, 4 KOs / 2017-2023), of Wichita; No. 2 world rated lightweight Tommy “Chocolate Ice Cube” Campbell (45-12-6, 22 KOs / 1946-1951), of Kansas City; and world lightweight title challenger Jesse Flores (65-8-11, 25 KOs / 1945-1954), of Herington.
Romero’s ultimate dream is to bring World Championship boxing back to Kansas, in order to give back to his community and inspire other young and upcoming boxers from Kansas City, not necessarily just in boxing, but any sport. He wants to fill up Arrowhead Stadium one day, either defending or fighting for a world title.
Romero’s legendary head trainer/manager John Brown notes that Kansas City may not be known for producing top boxers, however, he attributes that to the lack of regular pro boxing shows there, which, of course, makes it difficult to develop local favorites to local boxing fans to support.
“I was able to fill arenas in this are with Tommy Morrisson (Brown was Morrison’s head trainer/manager) in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s due to him being a charismatic personality and a heavyweight who knocked out opponents. Prior to Tommy, we had Tony Chiaverini, who packed venues in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, proving KC will support a good fighter and good guy.”
Proud of his Mexican American heritage, Marco’s boxing idols are “Canelo” Alvarez, Julio Cesar Chavez and, of course, his namesake, Marco Antonio Barrera.
Romero dominated countless amateur youth tournaments, and he was rewarded in 2020 by being selected as a member of the USA National Boxing Team preparing to travel to Bulgaria to compete in a tournament. Unfortunately, COVID-19 struck and halted boxing worldwide.
Romero dreamed of representing the United States in the 2024 Olympics, however, he never had an opportunity to make the team heading to Paris for two primary reasons. The minimum age was moved from 18 to 19 (Marco didn’t turn 19 until after the Olympic Games had concluded on Nov. 19); Romero had outgrown his weight class (middleweight), and super middleweight wasn’t one of the weight classes sanctioned for competition in Paris.
“Marco’s skill, personality and good looks will soon captivate the city, particularly its huge Mexican population,” Brown predicted. “It is no small thing that Marco is bilingual and able to connect with his people. Marco’s growing popularity will open opportunities for other pros and amateurs from this area who dream of turning pro in the near future. If you have a winner, the fans will follow!”
In four professional bouts, Marco has won all nine rounds on each of the three judges’ scorecards.
Romero’s next fight is scheduled for March 14 in Denver and tentative plans call for him to fight for the first time as a prize fighter in his native Kansas on May 24th in Topeka.
