Champs and Playmates in attendance!

It was a real “Night of Knockouts” at the Mia St. John Foundation’s charity gala benefitting El Saber es Poder.

The night was capped off with special appearances by boxing champions, Playboy Playmates, models and actors who all came out to lend support to the nonprofit organization founded by St. John.

I had the opportunity to attend this annual event where guests were able to meet and mingle with Mia, WBO Heavyweight Champion Lamon Brewster, Playboy Playmate of the Month Daphnee Duplaix, “Operation Repo’s” Lou Pizarro, actor Jaleel White (“Urkel” from “Family Matters”), top fitness and swimsuit model Leila Shennib and other celebrity guests. This year’s soiree was held Friday night at the very cool and hip WaterMarke Tower in Los Angeles.

As we arrived at the fundraising event, we ran right into the “Hostess with the Mostest” herself, Mia St. John. The brunette boxer was excited about the evening as she stepped into one of the elevators in the exclusive venue. As a lightweight world titlist, she has also held belts as a WBC International Female Lightweight and Welterweight Champion, and now Mia serves as a champ to help others in need.

St. John is champion athlete, model, author, mental health advocate and much more, but spearheading this charity is obviously something near and dear to her heart. After speaking out about her past struggles with mental health issues, Mia spends time at conventions and seminars bringing awareness to mental illness. At the fiesta, she also introduced me to Henry Acosta, Executive Director at the National Resource Center for Hispanic Mental Health. The outgoing Acosta was a big supporter at Mia’s event, making sure all the attendees had a great time.

Inside the party headquarters, guest enjoyed live entertainment and a silent auction, with all proceeds benefitting El Saber es Poder (“Knowledge is Power”). Mia had mentioned to me that by raising enough money, her nonprofit plans on introducing programs for fitness, nutrition and mental health for inner-city kids. When enough funds are raised, the first program will be at El Centro De Pueblo in Echo Park.

Lending his own heavyweight support at the event was former champion “Relentless” Lamon Brewster. The slugger shared a lot of fight stories with us, and he also wanted to spread the word about a new site he just started to assist fighters in finding sparring partners, local gyms, trainers or cutmen. Brewster, who last fought in Germany in January 2010, spoke of the difficulties boxers face while on the road traveling to bouts while trying to set-up camp in a foreign city or new environment. “My FightingConnection.com site is going to give everyone one place to connect!” the friendly ex-prizefighter says with a big smile. “Fighters will be able to connect if they need sparring partners, a gym in town, a local cutman and more.”

Brewster then explained his rough upbringing in Indianapolis and how boxing saved him. The heavyweight fighter, who’s had his own share of health issues in the past, also explained that helping others, in both boxers and inner-city youth, is something he feels he is now destined to do. And supporting Mia’s charity is also one thing he fully supports. “I came last year when they honored Hector “Macho” Camacho,” Lamon says. “And this year, all Mia has to do is ask and I’ll be here!”

After an entertaining visit with the champ, I continued making my way around the swanky building.

I ran into another familiar face in Lou Pizarro, star of “Operation Repo,” who is also one who will step up to support any and all of Mia’s charity efforts. The burly TV star is also a huge boxing fan. He’s even interviewed Mia on the subject of boxing. We talked about some recent fights and the “Repo” actor really knows his way around the sweet science.

I next spent some time chatting with Claudia Ollis, of the “Changing the Face of Women’s Boxing” campaign.

Walking over to the auction area, Claudia showed me some of the fun prizes up for grabs. She held out several autographed boxing gloves that were generously donated by Golden Boy Promotions. On the lined tables, there was also a signed Laker basketball from Ron Artest, a “Young and the Restless” prize pack with actor Kristoff St. John and several daytime stars, and various other sports collectibles.

As Ollis and I checked out the auction bids, the vivacious businesswoman mentioned many new and exciting plans in the works. Claudia loves being in the fight game and plans on opening up more opportunities for female fighters. It’s in her blood; Ollis’ father and other relatives were boxers. As a female fight promoter, Ollis was brimming with energy while telling us all about the innovative projects coming up in the future. One big event with her new “Bad Chick” promotions will be the July 30 Fight Night–at the Playboy Mansion, no less.

And speaking of Playboy, Mia (nicknamed “The Knockout”) has graced the pages of the popular men’s magazine and a signed copy of her issue was even offered in the fundraising auction, with the proceeds benefitting her worthwhile charity. Several of her fellow Playmates and models were also at the Friday night function, lending their support–and sexy curves–to St. John’s foundation.

Playmate Daphnee Duplaix is Mia’s friend and fellow model that is both inspired and impressed with St.John’s charitable endeavors. “I really admire what Mia does with her foundation in helping kids,” the exotic beauty and soap opera star tells me. “Her charity is great. And she and I both love working with the kids!”

Joining Daphnee was another bevy of beauties and Hawaiian Tropic models, including Leila, Ashley and Angie. The gorgeous trio were a big hit with the guests and were even interviewed by the TMZ crew positioned outside of the party.

After a full evening of meeting beautiful faces in the crowd, there were two very special guests that stood out: Julian St. John and and his pretty girlfriend, Krista.

Julian is Mia’s young son who has courageously battled his own mental health issues. The brave warrior was all smiles at the fundraiser as the flashbulbs went off capturing Julian and Krista on the red carpet. Mia is proud of both of her children, son Julian and daughter Paris, and got a kick out of seeing handsome Julian pose for the lens, a natural in front of the cameras. Speaking with the cute couple, Krista told me she met Julian, who was diagnosed with Schizophrenia, while both were in the hospital getting treatment. The pair are a testament to conquering mental illness and both were knockouts at the event.

Then again, “A Night of Knockouts” was the theme for Mia’s charity extravaganza–and it proved to be just that. Check out some exclusive photos from the fun evening honoring El Saber es Poder!

Benefitting an admirable cause, please consider lending any resource you can to the Mia St. John Foundation, whether it be time, money or support.

After all, El Saber es Poder. Knowledge is Power.

Congratulations again to Mia St. John for a real KO event!

For more info: www.miastjohnfoundation.org

Photos by Michele Chong and Steve Harpst