Local boxing instructor presented with special award after more than half-century of coaching

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - Turner Boxing Club instructor John Brown has taught kids how to box for more than a half-century.

In that 56-year career, Brown’s coached 48 national champions and one heavyweight world champion. One of those champions, Olathe West senior Marco Romero, says the coach teaches kids to reach for their best.

“Being able to push myself to my limit all the time in training and in life is what he’s taught me,” Romero said.

Nearly 6,000 kids have boxed under John Brown and his coaches, and those kids have learned about a lot more than just boxing.

“All through high school I boxed and he kept me grounded (with) a way for me to relinquish my baggage,” said Richard Hernandez.

Brown’s lessons resonate long after his pupil’s boxing careers are done. Brown learned to fight growing up in St. Louis because of a birth defect.

“Kids made fun of me so I fought all the time,” Brown said.

A policeman sent him to a nearby boxing club.

“I was the only white person within 20 miles and all the black people took me in like I was family so it started my love affair with boxing,” Brown explained.

Because of that, Brown has been able to teach kids of all backgrounds.

“The heart that he has -- it doesn’t matter what color you are,” said De’Von Campbell. “He’ll take you in as family... he took me in, he’s like another father to me.”

Brown has done more than just build one of the country’s top boxing clubs. He’s also fostered a safe haven in a community that has a number of at-risk children.

“We get them off the street, wear them out, give them some self-esteem, give them something to work for, teach them some work ethic,” Brown, a former parole officer, said, “all those things that make a good citizen.”

Most coaches are judged by how many wins they rack up or championships they win. While Brown has done plenty of that, one of his most recent success stories has nothing to do with winning.

“I had a mom call me up two months ago. Her 16-year-old son, single mother, economically blighted -- she said her son tried to commit suicide three times, but he liked boxing,” Brown said.

That young man found a home at the Turner Boxing Club.

“He loves boxing,” Brown said. “He loves being a part of something, being a part of this community.”

Saturday, Brown was presented with a special award. But Brown doesn’t need another trophy to prove his success, he’s got plenty of living examples that his life’s been well spent.

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