Where Are They Now: Former Two-Division Champion Simon Brown.
When you look at boxing over the past 35 years and at the prominent in the welterweight division during that time, obvious names come to your mind; Donald Curry, Marlon Starling, Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya and of course Floyd Mayweather Jr.
A welterweight who is one of most slept-on and underappreciated fighters in boxing history was Simon “Mantequilla” Brown. He was one of the best fighters in the division during the 1980’s and early 1990’s. Unfortunately, he is largely omitted from the discussion of the prominent welterweights and best boxers of that era.
Many fans of the “new-school” era that enjoy watching old videos of highlight-reel knockouts may only know of Brown as the man that was brutally knocked out on his back by Vincent Pettway while still throwing punches in the air. This has humored many fans over the years, although, many of them do not know he is actually considered one of the best fighters of his era!
A born-native to Clarendon, Jamaica in 1963, Simon Brown fell in love with the sport watching the 1976 Olympics. Moving to Washington DC as a teenager, he began his boxing life in 1979 entering a local area gym. Guided by local trainer Pepe Correa, Brown fought 16 bouts as an amateur before turning professional in 1982.
Professional Career
Brown began his professional career in February of 1982 defeating Ricky Williams by four round decision in Atlantic City, NJ. In fact, he fought 18 of his first 20 bouts in Atlantic City!
He won his first 21 bouts before losing to Marlon Starling by 12-round split decision in November 1985. “Mantequilla” rebounded with three wins before winning the vacant IBF title by stopping Tyrone Trice in the 14th round in Berck-sur-Mur, France.
Their bout in April 1988 is by the boxing consensus, one of the best fights of the 1980’s.
Brown would go on to reeled off eight defenses of his title. In March 1991, he unified the WBC and IBF titles by defeating childhood friend Maurice Blocker in Las Vegas. He would not stay a unified champion for long as he vacated the IBF title in order to defend the WBC title against James “Buddy” McGirt in 1991.
He would go on to lose that bout and his title by unanimous decision. After the loss, Brown moved up to Super-Welterweight. Here, he would score one of the greatest upsets of the 1990’s; stopping Terry Norris in four rounds to win the WBC Super-Welterweight title in 1993! While he still fought on for six more years, this would be the final win against a big name in his career.
Simon Brown retired in 2000 and finished with a career record of 47-12 with 34 knockouts.
Where Is He Now?
Now 55, soon to be 56 years-old and living in Hagerstown, Maryland, Brown is happily married to his wife Lisa of 32 years and is a father of four. Having remained involved in boxing since his retirement, he first worked as a trainer in L.A. with his mentor Pepe Correa.
However, he decided to move back to Maryland area where he is a full-time trainer for his own boxing club, “The Simon Brown Boxing Academy.” In November 2018, he was inducted into the D.C. Boxing Hall of Fame.
His boxing academy is highly successful in the area and regularly stages professional and amateur competitions.
In many regards, Brown was low key during his days as a fighter; not greatly known to the masses, but highly successful and respected to those in the know.
In his post-career with his stable personal life, his work as a trainer and running his own boxing academy without much fanfare, Brown is sticking to that script!
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
