Brewster Center®

Located in downtown Detroit, at 637 Brewster Street, was Brewster Recreational Center. It was a formidable presence in what soon became known as Motor City, a tough and rugged city in the heart of the American automobile industry.

From the sidewalk in front of Brewster Recreational Center, one could hear the thump of flesh upon canvas and the rattle of chains as the bags would take abuse from some incredible boxers. They might hear the patter of the small bag keeping perfect rhythm for someone’s internal beat. The squeak of shoes along the ring and shouts of encouragement, or instruction, reverberated as two boxers sparred to earn their place in the folklore of this place.

Legend has it that Joe Louis, who got his start at Brewster Recreational Center, would hide his boxing gloves in his violin case so his mother wouldn’t know that he wasn’t actually heading to the gym. Membership was 25 cents per month and Sugar Ray Robinson also trained here because he idolized Joe Louis. He even carried Joe Louis’s gym bag home after a long workout, and lived on the same block. Brewster Recreational Gym has long been abandoned and much like the rest of Detroit, echoes with the greatness of what once was …and will be again.

Get inspired by the greats of the past that trained at Brewster Center and push yourself to make the most of yourself!

Available on our website and Amazon at www.amazon.com/xxivvii