The temptation is tough to ignore, but Brock University student Anthony Romero has decided school is more important than earning a paycheque as a professional fighter.<\/p>\n
The second-year Recreation and Leisure Studies student from Welland has established himself as a top mixed martial arts prospect.<\/p>\n
After a perfect 5-0 record in 2016, Romero earned amateur fighter of the year, and fight of the year awards by the Bluegrass MMA organization.<\/p>\n
I know I can\u2019t fight forever, so I want to make sure I have something as my backup<\/span><\/p>\n He also won three title belts from three separate organizations and spent some time training in Montreal with Canada\u2019s most famous MMA fighter, George St. Pierre.<\/p>\n But any thoughts of turning professional, which would mean getting paid for his fights and endorsement deals, are on hold until Romero wraps up his four-year degree at Brock.<\/p>\n \u201cI know I can\u2019t fight forever, so I want to make sure I have something as my backup in case my plans don\u2019t work out,\u201d said Romero. \u201cIt\u2019s very tempting because to be a professional is a main goal for me. I\u2019ve been thinking about it \u2013 but it\u2019s something that once you turn pro, you can\u2019t go back.\u201d<\/p>\n Remaining an amateur fighter means a busy schedule for him.<\/p>\n After squeezing in a morning run, Romero heads to Brock most days of the week, then works at Modern Vision MMA teaching classes and training others in the early evenings. Once his work his done, he sticks around at the gym to do his own training \u2014 usually for more than two hours.<\/p>\n The next day he wakes up early and starts the routine over again.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been pretty busy since I started university but I\u2019m starting to get used to it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Romero has also done some training with the Brock Badgers wrestling program and its legendary coach Marty Calder, allowing him to spar with athletes who bring a whole different set of skills to the mat.<\/p>\n \u201cAt my own gym I\u2019m used to my training partners, but when I go there, there are all different styles,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Romero\u2019s next fight will be at Seneca Casino in Niagara Falls, N.Y. on Saturday, Feb. 25, the day he turns 20 years old.<\/p>\n Since most of his bouts have been in Ohio or Pennsylvania, this is as close to home as his big fights have ever been.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of people have asked me if I\u2019m nervous because a lot of people are going to be there, but I\u2019m actually really excited,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n