Nineteen-year-old phenom Marco “El Tiburón” Romero (9-0, 8 KOs) makes his hometown pro debut on September 6, topping “The Homecoming” Pro-Am at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Olathe, Kansas. The Turner Boxing Academy 20th-anniversary show doubles as a fundraiser for the academy and Safe Kids Johnson County. “It’s a tough homecoming fight for Marco,” said manager/head trainer John Brown.
Romero moves down to middleweight for an eight-round main event against Denver-by-way-of-Mexico contender Javier Dario Aragon (7-1-1, 3 KOs). The Mexican-American “Shark” has blitzed eight of nine foes - six KOs in his last six, just 17 total rounds - and says the weight drop is part of a long-term plan toward multi-division glory, eventually eyeing super welter. “Fighting at home means so much to me… I’m ready to give KC and Olathe a show,” Romero said. “We’re preparing for a hard-fought eight—or to finish it early. Either way, we’re coming Shark Style.”
A 23-time national amateur champion, Romero struck gold at the 2024 USA Nationals and National Golden Gloves (earning the “Golden Boy” Award). He cites Canelo Álvarez, Julio César Chávez, and Marco Antonio Barrera as idols—and dreams of filling Arrowhead Stadium in a future title fight to put Kansas on the global map.
The undercard leans local: unbeaten Topeka heavyweight John “Iron Man” Cantrell (14-0, 13 KOs) meets Portland “The Prince” Pringle (5-5, 1 KO) in a 10-round co-main. Kansas City’s Davidson brothers return - Marcell (6-0, 4 KOs) in a 4-round welterweight bout and Marcus (6-1, 5 KOs) in a separate 4-rounder - while Leawood cruiserweight Ben Turla (3-time national champion) debuts over four against Randy “SPAWN” Martina (1-0, 1 KO) of Fort Riley. A USA Boxing-sanctioned amateur session opens the evening at 7:00 p.m. CT, followed by the pros.
Fight card:
▪️Marco Romero vs. Javier Dario Aragon, 8 rounds, middleweight
▪️John Cantrell vs. Portland Pringle, 8 rounds, heavyweight
▪️Marcell Davidson vs. Ociel Vazquez, 4 rounds, welterweight
▪️Ben Turla vs. Randy Martina, 4 rounds, cruiserweight
▪️Anthony Adams Jr. vs. Marquis Hawthorne, 4 rounds, welterweight
