The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Boxing event aims to raise awareness
A Lorain native hopes to show how youth boxing can serve as an alternative to violence that harms families and the community.
The East Coast vs. West Coast Gloves Not Guns Showdown is scheduled from 1 to 6 p.m., Aug. 28, at Oakwood Park in South Lorain.
The bouts, all free and open to the public, are planned by Lila Armstrong, an alumna of the former Southview High School and boxing mom for her son John
Lewis “Jaer” Armstrong III, 14.
The family now is based in Las
Vegas for Jaer Armstrong’s boxing training.
The South Lorain event aims to raise awareness of gun violence, Lila Armstrong said.
“Put the guns down,” she said.
“If you guys have an issue, there are so many other ways to resolve things, you know.
“That’s my main focus now. If I can at least save one or two lives, or just open the eyes of one person, I’m happy.”
Family experience
Lila Armstrong’s family has firsthand experience losing a loved one by violence.
She was the wife and Jaer Armstrong is the son of the late John Lewis “Jon Jon” Armstrong II.
The elder Armstrong was incarcerated a lot in life, Lila Armstrong said.
He was released from prison about a year ago and wanted to improve his situation, she said.
Jon Jon Armstrong never saw his son in the ring, so he hoped to get a coaching license and become a cornerman for Jaer in a bout in his hometown, Lila Armstrong said.
In May, Jon Jon Lewis, 42, fell victim to gun violence that claimed his life in a shooting at the Bruce Towers apartments, 50015003 Oberlin Ave.
That incident, a number of others and unsanitary living conditions have prompted the city of Lorain to take legal action against the two-building complex.
She credited her late husband with the idea for the show and she decided to continue it after his death.
Jaer Armstrong is dealing with his father’s shooting death, his mother said.
“He’s a super-smart kid,” Lila Armstrong said about her son. “He’s aware, he’s angry and upset.
“He tells me all the time, like, I just wish my dad had made better choices. And for a 14-year-old to say that, at least I’m happy that he can see, and that’s my main thing, you can kind of see where that lifestyle can lead you.”
Meet youth boxing
As for the matches, the youths are amateur boxers from Ohio, Colorado, Texas, New York and Nevada, Lila Armstrong said.
Most are ranked nationally for their fighting classes, she said.
There are three rounds per match, with time of the rounds based on the boxers’ ages.
Jaer Armstrong has boxed since age 8 and his mother said she never felt like he was in harm’s way.
Judges will stop fights if they feel the bouts are too much or a boxer is not ready, she said.
Lila Armstrong thanked the event sponsors and donors helping with everything from travel expenses to meals when the visiting fighters are in town.
How to attend the event
The ring will be set up at the Oakwood Park basketball courts. Anyone attending should bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.