Brewster, who’s been spearheading the organization of this event, said he envisions this becoming a league of sorts where world champion boxers from other states join in this event. Though this is the inaugural HOABC event, Brewster said he hopes in a few years sees this event as potentially a replacement for Olympic boxing, if it ends up being eliminated from the 2028 games in Los Angeles, as he dreams of this being an international event.
The former champ admits there have been some speed bumps in getting this event off the ground, including difficulties with the HOABC website.
“We want to continue to add,” he said. “This year is basically us saying, ‘We wanted to do it and let’s just jump, let’s take that leap of faith and come back and see where we can do better.”
The companion event to Saturday’s boxing is a Friday evening pro-am-style bowling event fundraiser at Pohlman Lanes. Brewster and Douglas will compete. The event, dubbed as Bowling with the Champs, is set for 5 to 7 p.m. where for $50 can bowl with Brewster and Douglas. General admission for this event is $20.
“We’re using this money to help Hamilton and help those regions to try to establish a mental health point of view of how to perceive life,” said Brewster. “School can teach you education but boxing teaches you application, so the mathematical equation is education without application leads to a life of frustration.”
One of the Hamilton agencies that will benefit is the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hamilton, who will work with Brewester on educational programming surrounding mental health and wellness and physical education.
“Every year, he plans, to bring back the Hamilton Ohio Amateur Boxing Classics back to Hamilton,” said Council member Joel Lauer, who’s helped promote the event. “This is a great opportunity, this is his dream, this is what he wanted to do. I believe we’re very fortunate to have it here in Hamilton, Ohio and I hope we can make this a success.”
Brewster, who was inducted last week into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, said he has “all these champions from around the country” interested in participating. After this weekend, the winners of the Ohio vs. Indiana bouts are expected in January to travel north to Detroit, Michigan, and face the team of amateur boxers captained by a pair of Michigan-born fighters: James “Lights Out” Toney, who’s held multiple world championships in three weight classes, and Chris Byrd, a two-time world heavyweight champion.
In May 2025, the winners in Detroit will travel to Illinois to face the team led by former boxing champs Nate Jones and Montell Griffin. Then the winners in May 2025 will head to Missouri to face former champs Michael Spinks and his nephew Corey Spinks.
“This is the circuit we’re trying to start, but it all begins and ends in Hamilton, Ohio,” Brewster said.
Hamilton Ohio Amateur Boxing Classics: How to go
Tickets for the Bowling with Champs fundraiser, a companion event to the Hamilton Ohio Amateur Boxing Classics, is set for 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday at Pohlman Lanes in Hamilton. Limited tickets for VIP access, where people can bowl with former champions Lamon Brewster and Buster Douglas, are $50 a ticket. General admission tickets are $20.
To see 15 amateur bouts on Saturday at Hamilton High School, 1165 Eaton Ave., tickets are $20 for general admission and $35 for VIP seating. Children younger than 12 are free. Tickets are sold at the gate and doors open at 11 a.m. with bouts starting at noon.
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