Author: Bill Calogero

(L-R) – Al Valenti & John Brown

The (Not so) Over-The-Hill-Gang – John Brown & Al Valenti Directing blue-chip prospect Marco “El Tiburón” Romero to top

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (January 27, 2025) – John Brown, 77, and 74-year-old Al Valenti are boxing lifers with 104 combined years of invaluable experience. They have teamed for one last time to direct the professional boxing career of blue-chip prospect Marco “El Tiburón” Romero (4-0, 3 KOs), the 19-year-old super middleweight sensation from Olathe, Kansas.

Brown is a living legend in boxing from the Great Plains, who during his 65 years in boxing has trained an overwhelming 18,000 students, managed and trained Tommy “The Duke” Morrison to the world heavyweight title in 1993, and also created equipment-altering Ringside Boxing.

Valenti is a third-generation boxing promoter following in the footsteps of his grandfather Rip, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012, and his father, Freddy. Rip started promoting shows at the Boxing Garden in the 1930’s and staged the early pro fights for Hall of Famers Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Tony DeMarco and Freddie Roach among many others. Al has promoted approximately 200 pro and amateur events around the world.

Brown and Valenti got into boxing for completely different reasons: Brown got into trouble with the police as a teenager because he was born in South Saint Louis with a cleft palate and lip, which resulted in neighborhood kids making fun of him because of his appearance and speech impediment. Lots of fights, to say the least, but John fell in love with boxing once he stepped into the gym, where he watched a boxer training and walking around, Sonny Liston.

“I was in awe of Sonny Liston and by then boxing was my life,” Brown explained. “Once I learned how to box there weren’t many fights because I got respect, which changed my life because I was going in the wrong way. I fought in the Golden Gloves in four open fights, but I realized these other guys were really good, which would put my plastic surgery repaired face at risk. I quickly found out I got hit a lot less coaching. I stopped boxing after my third (of seven total) operation.

“I started coaching the boxing team at St. Benedict’s College in Kansas and later moved to Kansas City following my future wife and was asked if I’d like to coach boxing at a gym, Tomahawk Boxing Club, which was located on a golf course. It was small and in the basement of a school, where it was successful. I had a sales job that I didn’t like and in 1971, I became a juvenile court probation officer, which gave me the opportunity to take the kids to the gym.”

Valenti, on the other hand, never really had a chance. Boxing ran through his blood and as Al says, the apple really didn’t fall far from the tree.

“I wanted to be a sportswriter and worked weekends at the Boston Herald,” Valenti remembered, “but I navigated to Boston Garden Pizza. The first amateur show I promoted was in 1985 at Hormel Stadium (in Medford, MA). I was an usher at the 1974 AAY Boxing Championships when I first saw Hagler fight, and not long after that I decided to get into (selling) Closed Circuit pay-per-view. I did very well with that (he still does), especially at racetracks all over New England. By the time Micky Ward fought John Rafuse (1986) at Lowell Auditorium, I was totally immersed in boxing.”

Valenti promoted shows that featured Ward, Robbie Sims and Dana Rosenblatt, in addition to being involved promoting major events like Mike McCallum vs. Steve Collins at Hynes Convention Center, and Ricky Hatton vs. Luis Collazo at Boston Garden.

Romero was a phenom, a 23-time national amateur champion who Brown has already trained for a decade. The only other fighter John has trained who turned pro was Morrison (48-3-1, 42 KOs) from his amateur days through his first 39 pro fights, 1988 to 1993. Brown served as Morrison’s manager/trainer and his role is the same with Romero, only this ride is significantly more enjoyable for him.

But why are these two septuagenarians still in boxing?

“I love the sport of boxing,” Browned answered. “Today, I own the largest, most successful gym in America (Turner Boxing Academy in Kansas City, KS), and I wanted to create another great fighter. I told Marco that I’d be involved with him as a professional only if I could make him wealthy and keep him healthy. So, unlike Tommy Morrison he needs to have good defense, be a good kid, and internally motivated. After he won his 10th national title, I believed he could be the one, and he has continued his success.

“I remember seeing (former KC Royals player) Pete Lacock visiting a children’s hospital to make patients happy. I ’ve been there in that hospital room with no hope and I’ve never forgotten that. I think a star can also be a hero by making people forget the nightmare they’re living. What a great gift! It’s my dream to create a star/hero and I see that in Marco. I know he’s from a classic Mexican family who has been disciplined and raised him to understand what’s right and wrong. He has those traits to make and keep him a star. Marco had a very successful amateur career, and indications so far are the same as a pro. I always tell him he needs to be obsessed with success. I had to promote myself when I owned Ringside Boxing because I was so obsessed with being successful. I’m teaching Marco what it takes to be obsessed with in boxing.”

Brown and Valenti have been close finds and associates for more than 30 years and once Brown decided to turn Romero pro, he contacted Valenti to join him on what would likely be their final journey in the Sweet Science.

“I know who Al is and I think he’s the best promoter I’ve ever worked with,” Brown said. “He has great connections in boxing and to know Al is to like him. Look what he did with Hagler, Ward, Ruiz, and others. Our success with Marco will be as a team. It’ll be more fun with Al, and this is more of a priority because of our ages. Neither Al nor I need this project to feed ourselves. Any decision we make will be in Marco’s best interest, not how much money we can make. We’re along for the ride.”

The respect Brown and Valenti have for each other is so rare in boxing, which often is back-stabbing, even among friends. Because he hadn’t reached the mandatory age of 18, compounded by his weight class (super middleweight) wasn’t included in 2024 Olympic boxing, Romero never seriously considered waiting for a shot at making the U.S. Olympic Team. Instead, his immediate vision was to embark on his professional career. Brown and Valenti first met approximately three years ago with Marco’s parents to build a plan and so far, it’s right on target.

The Romero Plan never included The Olympics, so the key was capturing gold medals in his last two elite tournaments, the USA Boxing National Championships and National Golden Gloves. Not only did he accomplish that, but he was also named Most Outstanding Boxer (Golden Boy Award) at The Golden Gloves.

“I’m involved with Marco as an adviser because I believe in John as a person,” Valenti remarked, “especially his sincerity and approach. John is a wonderful human being and great to be around. I believe in what he sees, so we are cultivating this kid. Look at how many fighters John has trained. He is the quintessential boxing trainer. John is a genius. His credentials speak for themselves. He’s won everything. We built a framework, and the last two years couldn’t have been scripted any better. This is the essence of my life’s work. I think Marco is like Oscar de la Hoya as a fighter and marketing-wise. ‘Canelo’ (Alvarez) has captivated everybody like Oscar. Who’s next? Marco can be The Guy! And he’s only 19.

“This is a fascinating time for us. It’s a challenge. Our plan in 2025 is for him to fight four or five times, including at least once in Kansas City, where he already is very marketable. By the end of the year, he should be close to double-digit wins with more recognition within the industry. There are only so many stars and there will be a lot of changes by the end of 2025, early 2026, when we will likely decide about signing with a promoter. John and I understand each other and that makes us understand what Marco has to do to get to the top.”

Other integral members of Romero’s corner include assistant coaches Sergio Flores and Marco’s father, Salvador Romero, who encouraged his son to become a boxer at the tender age of seven.

“I first met John in 2016 when I came to his gym from another,” Romero remembered. “He welcomed me, and he took a liking to me after watching me train. I decided to stay with him for my future and he’s been guiding me in boxing ever since. John’s much more than my trainer, he is like another father-figure for me, and I’m so blessed to have him in my corner. Al has really been helping us as I get used to the pro scene that’s new to me. He’s like my fun uncle in boxing.

“In this sport you need confidence in your team, or you won’t get anywhere, and I’m very confident in our team. I’ve known John for years and now Al has joined us to help. It’s good to know that they see the potential in me. They keep putting things together to get me where I want to be. It’s also important because everybody on the team knows their role. I work hard to get ready for every fight. I’m very happy with everything that’s happened on my way to get on the big stage.”

BOOTS AND STANIONIS CLASH IN UNIFICATION BLOCKBUSTER ON APRIL 12 IN ATLANTIC CITY

Undefeated World rulers put their IBF and WBA Welterweight titles on the line and winner will be crowned Ring Magazine champion

Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis will clash in a blockbuster unification battle for the IBF, WBA and Ring Magazine World Welterweight titles at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday April 12, live worldwide on DAZN.

Ennis (33-0 29 KOs) puts his IBF strap on the line for the third time in his third fight under Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, with his previous defenses seeing the Philadelphia star thrill his hometown fans at Wells Fargo Center, first by forcing David Avanesyan to retire after five rounds of his first defense in July and then outpointing mandatory challenger Karen Chukhadzhian in November.

Stanionis (15-0 9 KOs) made a welcome return to the ring in April with victory over Gabriel Maestre in Las Vegas in May, outpointing the Venezuelan in Las Vegas to retain the WBA regular title that he won back in April 2022 in Texas against Radzhab Butaev. The 30 year old, who represented Lithuania in the 2016 Olympic Games, was elevated to full champion in August when Terence Crawford vacated the WBA belt.

Both Ennis and Stanionis have been searching for unification bouts since landing their titles, and now the pair clash with the Ring Magazine title also on the line at a venue that has hosted the very best fighters on the planet.

“This is the fight I’ve been waiting for,” said Ennis. “I believe I was made for moments like this and on April 12 I will be making a big statement and you will see the very best of me. It’s time to shine, be great and collect those belts.”

“This is it—the moment I’ve been envisioning my entire life!” Said Stanionis. “Every sacrifice, every ounce of sweat, it’s all been for this fight. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis is a great fighter, but I’m ready to take him down. On April 12 in Atlantic City, I’ll show the world what I’m made of. This unification bout is my chance to prove I’m the king of the welterweight division, and there’s no way I’m letting this opportunity slip away. This moment is mine!”

“This is a simply brilliant fight,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “When we signed Boots, I said to him that we would deliver unifications for him, so it is great to get this over the line for Jaron, and I know that with the biggest fight of his career right in front of him, he is going to shine brighter than ever.

“Eimantas is a brilliant fighter, and this is without doubt the #1 and #2 in the division, and I could not wish for a better fight to promote our first event in the storied Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Matchroom Boxing to Atlantic City with the premiere fight between Jaron Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis,” said Gary Musich, President and CEO of Visit Atlantic City. “Events like this spotlight Atlantic City as a premier location for world-class entertainment and bring tremendous energy to our city while honoring our city’s legacy of these iconic boxing matches that have taken place within Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in the past.”

THREE TITLE SHOWDOWNS ADDED TO LOADED GERVONTA DAVIS VS. LAMONT ROACH PBC PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT ON PRIME VIDEO SATURDAY, MARCH 1

BROOKLYN – January 21, 2025 – Three title bouts, including two explosive 140-pound world championship showdowns and a 154-pound crossroads matchup between a rising star and former unified champion, will round out a loaded PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video taking place Saturday, March 1 headlined by a lightweight title showdown between boxing superstar and reigning WBA Lightweight World Champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis and WBA Super Featherweight World Champion Lamont Roach from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela will take on hard-hitting top contender Gary Antuanne Russell in the co-main event, plus WBC Super Lightweight World Champion Alberto Puello defends his title against top-rated mandatory challenger Sandor Martin in a pay-per-view attraction. Kicking off the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, rising star Yoenis Tellez will take on former unified world champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams for the Interim WBA Super Welterweight Title.

“Saturday, March 1 will feature four title fights on a stacked PBC Pay-Per-View event on Prime Video with rising stars, knockout artists and established champions and contenders all looking to steal the show,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “In addition to the ‘Tank’ Davis vs. Lamont Roach main event, two 140-pound world titles will be on the line as ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela defends his belt against the always dangerous Gary Antuanne Russell, plus Alberto Puello begins his second reign as a super lightweight world champion against the top-rated mandatory challenger Sandor Martin. With fast-ascending contender Yoenis Tellez battling the established former champion Julian Williams to open the action, this card is teed up to deliver nonstop drama once again at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.”

**JOSE VALENZUELA VS. GARY ANTUANNE RUSSELL**
The co-main event will pit two of the brightest young stars in the 140-pound division against each other as WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela makes the first defense of his world title against the hard-hitting U.S. Olympian Gary Antuanne Russell in a fight scheduled for 12 rounds.

The 25-year-old Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs) became a world champion in his last outing, upsetting Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz by decision in August of last year by showing off the tremendous boxing acumen he’s honed with his famed trainer Robert Garcia. Originally from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, Valenzuela had earned the world title fight following a pair of exciting contests against top contender Chris Colbert. After losing a debated decision to Colbert in March 2023, Valenzuela bounced back to blast out Colbert in round six of their December 2023 rematch, delivering one of the year’s top knockouts. Valenzuela burst onto the scene in 2018, quickly racking up 12 wins and a first round knockout of former world champion Francisco Vargas, before dropping a 2022 bout against top contender Edwin De Los Santos.

“I’m here to show the world what it means to be great,” said Valenzuela. “Bring me your most ferocious, and I will bring back their heads. On March 1 I will achieve victory against Gary Antuanne Russell and cement my legacy in the super lightweight division. Don’t miss it, because I’m making sure everyone knows where I stand at 140 pounds.”

Fighting out of his native Capitol Heights, Md., Russell (17-1, 17 KOs) has carried on the legacy left by his late father Gary Sr. A member of one of the sport’s preeminent fighting families, Russell trains alongside his older brothers, former WBC Featherweight Champion Gary Jr. and bantamweight contender Gary Antonio. The 28-year-old will look to capture a world title in his second attempt, after dropping a competitive decision to Alberto Puello in their June 2024 clash for the WBC 140-pound title. Going into that fight, Russell had not allowed an opponent to make it to the final bell since turning pro in 2017 following his run representing the U.S. at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. On his way to title contention Russell became the first fighter to knock out former world champion Viktor Postol and two-division champion Rances Barthelemy.

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring and display my skills,” said Russell. “Not everyone can perform when the heat gets turned up in the kitchen, but like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson said, can you smell what we’re cooking? We’re gonna find out if Valenzuela is ready on March 1.”

**ALBERTO PUELLO VS. SANDOR MARTIN**
The pay-per-view action will also feature a second 140-pound world title attraction, as WBC Super Lightweight World Champion Alberto Puello puts his belt on the line against the WBC’s top-rated mandatory challenger Sandor Martin in another 12-round showdown. Puello vs. Martin is promoted in association with Top Rank and OPI Since 82.

Now a two-time world champion, Puello (22-0, 10 KOs) returned to titleholder status last June as he bested Gary Antuanne Russell by decision for what was then the WBC’s interim title, before being elevated shortly after fight night. Originally from San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic, Puello now fights out of Las Vegas, where he’s trained by top trainer Ismael Salas. The 30-year-old first became a world champion in August 2022, as he captured the WBA Super Lightweight World Championship with a decision victory over Batyr Akhmedov. Puello first shot up the rankings in July 2019, when he bested the previously unbeaten Jonathan Alonso via unanimous decision to capture an interim title.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment to defend my title and stamp my place in this sport,” said Puello. “Sandor Martin is a great fighter, but come March 1, I’m going to show the world why I’m the WBC Super Lightweight World Champion. This is my time, my stage and I’m ready to put on a show that fans will never forget. When we step into that ring, it’s going to be fireworks. I’m going to bring the best version of myself and do whatever it takes to leave with the victory. I’m doing this for the Dominican Republic, this fight is for them and I’m going to make them proud.”

A native of Barcelona, Spain, Martin (42-3, 15 KOs) was long established as one of the best current fighters from Spain before making his U.S. debut in 2021, when he sprung the 2021 Upset of the Year on four-division world champion Mikey Garcia. The 31-year-old has never been stopped in his career, and nearly earned another upset in 2022 as he narrowly lost a debated decision against two-division champion Teofimo Lopez. Most recently, Martin has earned back-to-back knockout victories as he stopped Arblin Kaba in six-rounds in July 2023 and Mohamed El Marcouchi in three rounds in December 2023.

“This world title opportunity is a long time coming,” said Martin. “A new super lightweight king will be crowned on March 1. Alberto Puello has some experience, but he won’t be prepared for what I bring to the ring in Brooklyn. That beautiful WBC belt is coming home with me to Spain.”

**YOENIS TELLEZ VS. JULIAN WILLIAMS**
Opening up the pay-per-view will be the rising Cuban star Yoenis Tellez taking on established contender and former unified 154-pound world champion Julian “J-Rock” Williams in a 12-round battle for the vacant Interim WBA Super Welterweight Title.

Trained by the legendary Ronnie Shields in Stafford, Texas, the 24-year-old Téllez (9-0, 7 KOs) made a big statement in action on Prime Video last October as he dominated veteran contender Johan Gonzalez before stopping him in round seven. Previously Tellez made his first big splash in the sport when he stepped in on short notice in July 2023 to blast out contender Sergio Garcia and earn a third-round TKO on the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford undercard. Originally from Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, Téllez continued to rise in two subsequent bouts after the Garcia triumph, closing the show in style with a 10th-round TKO of Livan Navarro in December 2023 before earning a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Joseph Jackson in April 2024.

“I’m beyond excited for this showdown against Julian Williams on March 1,” said Tellez. “All the hard work I’ve put in since I first put on a pair of gloves at age eight has led to this point. This is my opportunity to prove that I belong with the elites in the super welterweight division. With that Interim WBA title on the line, I’m stepping into the ring with one mission, to win and show the world that I’m ready for the best. I’m going to give the fans a fight they won’t forget. My goal is to take him out before the final bell rings!”

Philadelphia’s Williams (29-4-1, 17 KOs) became a unified world champion at 154-pounds in May 2019 when he upset Jarrett Hurd in one of the year’s best fights, winning a close-quarters brawl by unanimous decision. After losing the titles to Jeison Rosario in his first defense, Williams moved up to 160 pounds and made a run at championship gold there, earning a shot against current WBC Middleweight World Champion Carlos Adames that he dropped via ninth-round TKO in a competitive affair. Williams stepped back into the ring in January 2024, stopping Gustavo David Vittori in round two and will now return to the 154-pound division looking to regain his titleholder status.

“I’m grateful and excited for this opportunity to showcase my pedigree on a big stage,” said Williams. “Tellez is a really good, hungry fighter, but I’m putting in the work to ensure that I come out on top come March 1. I’ve never been in a boring fight. I always bring it and this fight night won’t be any different. With both of our styles I think we have a real chance to steal the show.”

Happy 103rd birthday to Canastota’s beloved manager, trainer and promoter Tony Graziano! Among the many boxers he worked with include Canastota’s welterweight champion Billy Backus and NABF junior middleweight champion Rocky Fratto.