By Larry Tornambe 

It’s been said at the end of each of his 18 pro fights “the winner by knockout, Tyrone Brunson”. That’s astonishing enough, but the reason for the article is to alert you that all 18 knockouts have been in the 1st round, tying a record for a knockout string from the beginning of a career.   Edwin Valero accomplished the record first in 2006 and has since earned the WBA Super Featherweight title.

Tyrone Brunson is a middleweight from Philadelphia who plans to drop to 154 lbs after his 19th fight.  He started his career at the fabled Philly fight club, the Blue Horizon in April 2005 and began to look at the ‘world record’ after his 9th explosive KO.  He hasn’t been seen in a Philadelphia fight card since!

I tried to convince him he should go for the record in Philadelphia this autumn. “I like Philly but it isn’t paying” Brunson says, but mainly he fights in Michigan, New Zealand and Indiana.

“To be rounded, see different styles and experience different things. I train at James Shuler’s Memorial Gym and the MLK Rec Center and have been to camp with Willie Gibbs, Kermit Cintron and Kassim Ouma.” That 19th fight is scheduled for Oct 6th or Oct. 17th in Iowa.

Brunson has just moved from Philadelphia to Las Vegas to train, to get away from distractions and to focus on getting the 19th opening round KO in his 19th fight.  He says that his power comes from technique; “natural skill, good footwork and I box real good” and he says he’s going “8 to 10 rounds easy in the gym.” 

James Walker will continue to train Brunson, who also works with a strength coach.  Ronald Remus is Tyrone’s manager and is said to be securing an ESPN2 date in early 2008 and a title shot later next year.

After the 19th fight, the focus will shift to winning a world title, “wide open at 154 and I want to bring the excitement.”  Brunson realizes what he’s put into this project so far; “I got to be champion someday.  I miss my family and being in Philadelphia, but it has a high murder rate, my best move was to get away (from Philadelphia).” 

It’s “get in the history books first, then go for my goal, the world championship” for Tyrone.  Brunson’s game plan seems solid, his technique and power are conversation pieces in the Philly gyms and the daily sacrifices are ongoing. We’ll all see if “Young Gun” will earn his baubles, but it’ll continue to be fun watching.