"Gusto" Sean Brewer II, of Austin, was never supposed to be here. He had a late start in boxing, it wasn't until he was 16 that he laced up the boxing gloves. He did so after seeing some kids sparring " I saw them sparring, and they were looking better than me fighting. So I was like I gotta learn how to do that. It went from learning to sparring to competing." The late start didn't keep him back. The Austinite put in the hours, put in the work, and said "I caught on pretty fast... learning the basics and the techniques. As I started to get that down more and more with my straight punches people could really start to see it [my power] and feel it, and hear it." The work ethic, the natural, power, and athleticism yielded results quickly for "Gusto". Within two years of becoming an amateur, he was ranked in the top 10 by USA Boxing!
As an amateur that Brewer met trainer and former world champ Clarence "Bones" Adams at the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame event. Adams invited the skilled amateur to his home and took him to the gym. Over the next few years, Brewer traveled back and forth to Nevada for training and was always at Adams's Gym. When the time came to take the next step and pursue a professional career, Adams told Brewer, "It would be a good idea for you to move out here." Brewer obliged moved out to Vegas and embarked on his professional career. Due to the pandemic, the start of his professional career was delayed. It wasn't until 2021 that Brewer could step into the ring as a professional. He took on Shaileik Paisley and won a one-sided unanimous decision. Winning every round on every card. A good start to his career. In his next fight, he got on a major but was used as a B-side for an undefeated prospect named Ivan Zarate. Brewer was supposed to be a sacrificial lamb. It was supposed to be Zarate's night fighting in his own backyard. The Texan recalls the night "...being the B-side being in the locker room with other b-side fighters, who already accepted the fate of losing, I was like no! This is not me. The whole build-up to the fight, the whole camp, I pushed myself, I pushed myself so hard I was sparring with Angelo Leo. I was getting work pushing myself." Brewer was fighting to win and dealt with a hostile pro-Zaratge crowd "I was fighting in his backyard. I came out and there were little kids 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds booing." The KO artist stayed patient and calm and scored a vicious first-round KO of Thompson's touted prospect. Something shocking not only to Zarate but to everyone watching and to Thompson Promotions. Brewer wasn't supposed to win. He was sent to lose just like the rest of the B-side fighters.
Gusto came back two months later and scored a 3rd round knockout over Dominique Williams in Detroit to move his record to 3-0. Setting up last week's return to the DoubleTree in Ontario, California. He was supposed to fight in the opening bout of the Thompson Promotion telecast. However after fights got canceled and moved around, Brewer found himself in the evening's main event. A drastic change, going from the opening bout to the main event. It was something that didn't phase the unbeaten prospect. When asked if it changed his approach or mindset Brewer explained, "...a little bit. The objective is the same. When they told me I was the main event, it triggered that moment, oh shoot! I am about to headline." He was put in the position because Thompson Promotions knew he had the ability to whoa the crowd and has headline talent and ability. The undefeated knockout artist did not disappoint in his first televised main event in taking on a formidable opponent, Christian Renteria. Renteria had been in with Stephen Fulton, Joshua Greer Jr, and Gary Antonio Russel, some of the best guys in and around the weight class. He was supposed to push Brewer, test him and take him out to deeper waters, waters he had never been to before. Once the fight started it was clear that the rugged veteran who stood in with some of the best fighters in the world had no chance with Brewer. A right hand to the body landed with a thud and put Renteria to the canvas, a shot that landed with so much pop it seemed like the fight was over at that moment. Brewer described the moment "I thought he was not getting up from the first body shot. I felt my punch literally go through him." A courageous Renteria got back to his feet and somehow fought on. Brewer stayed calm and relaxed, something he said he has worked on with trainer Bones Adams in the gym, and he stayed calm and composed. He patiently stalked his opponent and waited for his opportunity. When it opened up he landed two more clean body shots that put Renteria down for good this time, giving Brewer the 1st round KO and moving his record to 4-0 (3). A performance that led the promotional outfit and countless other commentators and expert pundits to all comment the same thing "there's something special about this kid."
Friday's first-round KO was an eye-opening performance that put the 122 & 126-pound divisions on notice. A star-making performance on a big main event that he wasn't supposed to be in. Opportunities come at the most unexpected times, and time and time again, Brewer has seized on the moment. In doing so has made himself, with the assistance of Bones Adams, one of the boxing's must-watch prospects, despite only stepping into the ring about 6 or 7 seven years ago. Brewer wasn't supposed to be here, but here he is, and he isn't done yet. The undefeated Texan wants to fight again before 2022, and in the not-so-distant future be fighting for world titles and world-class fighters. When asked when he thought that could happen, a confident Brewer replied: "...by the end of 2023 or 2024, I'll be there."
