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Who is Tyrone Brunson?
Since April 2005, this middleweight fighter from 28th Street and Snyder Avenue has quietly been making history.
His record is 18-0 with all victories coming via first-round knockouts. What makes this significant is the fact it ties the world record for consecutive knockouts set by current WBA super featherweight champ Edwin Valero. Earlier this month — June 8 to be exact — Brunson knocked out Jamie Waru at 2:56 of the first round. Five more seconds and Brunson would’ve fallen short of the record.
"People think knocking out 18 guys was easy; it wasn’t," Brunson said last week after returning from his 52-day trip to New Zealand. "These guys are coming to knock my head off. It was by the grace of God that I stopped [Waru]."
It’s a mark former undisputed heavyweight champ Mike Tyson can’t match as his third professional victory came via a fourth-round knockout.
Many in New Zealand have gained respect for the Philly fighter, including Waru’s Manager John Glozier.
"Jamie Waru was determined to be the first fighter to survive the first round against Brunson," Glozier said in a press release. "He took the fight to Brunson, used every survival tactic in his arsenal and almost made it. Brunson was simply too fast and too strong for Jamie.
"After Brunson’s performance tonight, I am convinced Brunson is real special and expect great things from him."
The news of his record quietly hit as Brunson traveled across the globe — New Zealand specifically — to make history. For the month-and-a-half he was there, he fought three times. The other victories came May 5 over Tony Watson and June 4 over Lee Hunter. The trip was set up through a friend.
"It was hard adjusting because they are a day ahead of us," Brunson said of New Zealand. "We just wanted to try something and see a different part of the world."
But his knockout streak isn’t propelling him into world title status just yet, as Brunson is rated 149th among middleweights. With every win comes more attention and exposure. Whether or not Brunson is world championship material will be determined as tougher opponents step forward. For now, he is taking a well-earned vacation and said he doesn’t plan on fighting again until September.
Brunson hopes his budding career will serve as an inspiration for Philadelphia’s children.
"We need more positive people in these neighborhoods that these kids can look up to," he said. "We need to stop the violence. We need to put the kids in [after-school] programs, get them in the gyms or recreation centers."
Maybe one day soon, they’ll be watching Brunson fight on HBO or ESPN. For now, he is simply riding the momentum.
"It’s good for me," Brunson said. "My buzz in the boxing world is so crazy."
