Joey Eye was born in Palermo, Sicily, raised on the tough streets of North Philadelphia. At 9 yrs old, in 1979, Joey got the opportunity to run with Sylvester Stallone in Rocky 2.

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Sly put Joey on his shoulder at the top of the art museum steps, which inspired Joey to become a fighter, & the rest is history! His father took him to the gym where he became an amateur boxer at 10, turning pro at 22. A knee injury in the ring took him out as a boxer, but wouldn't keep Joey down!
He became a cutman, learning under 3 well known Philly cutmen, including hall of famer Eddie "The Clot" Aliano. Joey has always has a "love for blood', since working as a young kid in a funeral home. Joey Eye was the "house cutman" for over 10 yrs at the legendary Blue Horizon in Philly, and he has traveled the world to work cuts. Some of his favorite places to work the fights are of course Philadelphia, as well as Atlantic City and NYC. Last, but certainly not least, in Maryland at Michael’s 8th avenue, where he was a staple for over a decade working as a cutman at the ballroom boxing series, as well as working for Jake Smith’s Baltimore boxing events.
Just a few of the legendary fighters Joey Eye has worked with include Al Cole, Ray Mercer, Sergei Kovolov, Kabary Salem, Omar Sheika, Ivan Robinson, Michael Grant, Tim Witherspoon, Bruce Seldon, Jackie Frazier, Chad Dawson, & Tommy Rainone, and the list goes on. He is currently working with Thomas Lamanna, John Leonardo, Christian Carto, Bruce Seldon Jr., & undefeated heavyweight from South Philly, Sonny Conto.
You can also find Joey acting in films & T.V. shows, such as 4 of the Rocky films, and many other fight & mob movies over the last 30+ years. The pinnacle of his career came when he was approached by Sylvester Stallone to be the technical advisor and play himself in the movie Creed, which is part of the Rocky franchise. Joey went on to win a Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG) award for his work on the film, and was the only individual involved in the making of the film to win.
Joey was awarded PA cutman of the year 15 years in a row, with the award now named in his honor, and inducted into the Atlantic City All Stars of Boxing H.O.F. (2012), PA boxing H.O.F. (2015), NJ Boxing H.O.F. (2017), & the A.C. Boxing H.O.F. (2020). He was honored at the 2024 Women’s Summit with a lifetime achievement award for his dedication and achievements in men’s and women’s boxing. He is also honored to have been enshrined into the Filitaila Italian Immigration Museum in South Philadelphia in 2018.
This Iil' guy from the streets of Philly, eats, sleeps, & breathes boxing! "KEEP ON PUNCHIN!"

Robert “Coach” Crawford enters the Maryland Boxing Hall of Fame not for the count of his own fights but for a lifetime spent building champions—strong in body, steady in mind, and ready for life beyond the ring.

Born in 1953 in Greenwood, South Carolina, Crawford’s athletic roots were forged on baseball diamonds and football fields where coaches Neuf Ankuta and J.W. “Pinky” Babb instilled a creed of preparation and conditioning that would define his career. A young Crawford was captivated by the sport of Boxing after hearing the Ali–Frazier and Ali–Patterson era on the radio and began training at the YMCA. That early spark led to a lifelong study of combative arts under master teachers including Sensei Steve Armstrong (Isshinryu), Sgt. Little (amateur boxing), Mike Lee (Non-Classical Gung Fu), and later Cris Sutton and Jesse Glover.

After high school and military service, Crawford relocated to Maryland in 1983. There he founded the Amateur Kickboxing Federation and became a fixture of the local fight community, coaching at the Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing Club within the Potomac Valley Association. He hosted numerous amateur shows, trained professionals across the region—including Jake Smith and Tony Jeter—and worked corners on some of the sport’s biggest stages, most notably in world title fights with William Joppy.

A pioneer of integrated training long before mixed martial arts became mainstream, Crawford blends boxing fundamentals with karate techniques, plyometrics, yoga, mobility work, cross-conditioning, and sports psychology. His methods build durable, agile, injury-resistant athletes who are prepared physically and mentally for competition and life. One of his proudest achievements came in 2024 when his fighter Isaiah Olugbemi captured the National Golden Gloves 201-lb title.

Yet Crawford’s greatest legacy is mentorship. From his base in Laurel, Maryland, he has guided generations of young men who now serve as coaches, trainers, and business owners—each carrying forward his standards of discipline, integrity, and relentless preparation. A meticulous teacher and lifelong learner, Robert Crawford has elevated Maryland boxing for decades. His induction honors the wins we can count—and the lives he’s shaped that we can’t.

Building Champions in and out of the Ring
Early Life and Inspiration
Hal Chernoff was born in 1955 in the small farming town of Sangerfield, New York, where he grew up on his family’s farm. From his grandfather’s example, Hal learned the values of hard work, responsibility, and perseverance—principles that would guide him throughout his life.
As a boy, Hal was inspired by his neighbor and family friend, professional heavyweight boxer
Frank Cowen. Cowen’s success, during the same era as middleweight champion Carmen Basilio, sparked Hal’s lifelong love of boxing. With no formal gym nearby, he trained on his own—using an old army duffel bag filled with sand as a punching bag. The sand froze solid in winter, but the experience toughened both his hands and his resolve.
The Path to Boxing
In his hometown, local kids organized informal “sandlot bouts”—no weight limits, no rounds, and no referees. These spirited fights fueled Hal’s passion for the sport. While working in Rome, New York, he occasionally trained at a local gym, but it was the discipline and mental focus of boxing that truly left its mark on him. At fifteen, Hal took his first construction job helping to build a 175-foot feed mill—his introduction to a trade he would later master. After graduating in 1973, he continued in construction and married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Barnes. The couple later moved to
Maryland to start their family.
Building the Gym
When Hal realized there were no boxing gyms on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, he turned to karate for training and competition, earning his black belt in Isshinryu Karate in 1989. Still, boxing remained his passion. Before long, local youth began visiting the Chernoff farm to train. Hal transformed the family’s large machine shop into a full boxing gym—complete with a regulation ring.
As his boxers improved, Hal began organizing sparring trips to Washington, D.C. During one
visit to the Hillcrest Heights Boxing Gym, he met legendary trainer Truman Tuttle, whose
discipline and respect for the sport inspired Hal to use boxing as a bridge between young people from all walks of life. For 22 years, the original Main Street Gym became a safe haven for youth—a gritty, hard- working gym that embodied classic boxing spirit. In 2007, encouraged by a close friend, Hal built a new 10,000-square-foot Main Street Gym—a state-of-the-art nonprofit facility that today
hosts boxing training, fundraisers, and community events. Coaching Legacy and Achievements Under Hal’s leadership, Main Street Gym has produced athletes who have won national and world titles as amateurs and earned NABA and NABO titles as professionals. Several have fought for world titles on major networks including Showtime, ShoBox, and ESPN. Hal was also
invited to work with two-time world champion Shawn Porter as part of Team Porter.
He has hosted numerous major tournaments, including the Junior Olympic and Maryland Silver Gloves competitions, and was instrumental in bringing professional boxing back to Salisbury’s Wicomico Civic Center—featuring top-tier fighters like Fernando Guerrero and Shawn Porter.
In 2006, USA Boxing selected Hal as its National Coach to lead a team of boxers competing in England. The following year, he traveled with USA Boxing again—this time to Ireland—for another international competition.
Mission and Community Impact Hal’s philosophy has always been simple: “Nothing is better than helping a young person get on
track to have a productive life—it’s better than any championship belt.”
At Main Street Gym, no child is ever turned away for lack of funds. The gym’s scholarship
program covers memberships, gear, and USA Boxing registration for families in need.
While Hal often stands in the spotlight, he credits his wife, Nancy Chernoff, as the heart of the operation. For fifty years, she has organized college tours, guest speakers, and educational programs—helping guide young people beyond the ring. Her compassion and dedication have helped countless youth find stability and purpose.
Awards & Honors
Hal Chernoff’s lifelong dedication to boxing and youth development has been recognized with numerous awards, including:
• Maryland Boxing Hall of Fame (Trainer Award)
• Washington, D.C. Boxing Hall of Fame (2014)
• USA Boxing Level 4 Coaching Certificate and Certificate of Accomplishment from
Executive Director Mike McAtee
• 1998 Award for Support of Amateur Boxing from the Brooklyn Boxing Club, South
Atlantic Association, and USA Boxing
• 2008 Main Street Gym Board of Directors Recognition Award for making the dream of
boxing in Salisbury a reality
• 2016 South Atlantic Association Award for contribution and dedication to the South
Atlantic Team
• Heart Saver Award (2024) for helping revive an adult boxer who suffered cardiac arrest
during training
In addition, Hal has served as Vice President and Treasurer of the South Atlantic Boxing
Association, furthering the development of amateur boxing across the region.

A Lasting Legacy
For more than four decades, Hal Chernoff has dedicated his life to building champions—both inside and outside the ring. Through Main Street Gym, he and Nancy have created more than a boxing facility; they’ve built a legacy of hope, discipline, and opportunity that continues to inspire generations across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. To ensure this legacy endures, Coach Hal is working closely with Main Street’s Head Coach, Tyrone Hargrove—a former Main Street boxer—to continue the gym’s mission of shaping the
next generation of champions.

I Timothy Ryan was born in Baltimore, and I was residing in Catonsville MD as a
child. While in elementary school, I move to a rather well to do Jewish neighborhood in
crown heights in Brooklyn Ny. Then I moved to Brownsville Ny in junior high school I
Moved from a nice Jewish Neighborhood in Crown Heights to gangs everywhere in
Brownsville NY was like night and day. it was in brownsville when I became interested
in boxing, learning from the hoodlums and thugs as my mother would say. During my
time in Brownsville my Antenor's was up learning more about this craft of fighting which
I became pretty good at it challenging anyone that wanted to fight just to see how well I
improved. Back in the 60s and 70s NY was nothing but gangs and my mother was not
going to let me be in any gangs so I had to learn how to fight fast so I would challenge
the top gang members when going in different gang neighborhoods. After that my name rang out through Brooklyn and had the respect I needed. After years in Brooklyn my
mother moved back to Maryland to take care of my aunt, my last year of high school at
Edmondson HS. Baltimore was so different for me after being in New York but I delt
with it. I then tried to find a boxing gym and a friend referred me to the Mack Lewis gym,
which was a distance from popular grove area, but I tried to make it there at times but
couldn’t stay committed. Mr. Mack saw me on Broadway selling clothes and said to me
young man is you going to be in the gym or these streets. The mistake I made was with
the streets. I attended numerous colleges without completing any of them. After getting
into trouble, I went into the military. Eventually I ended up in Europe where I regained
my interest in boxing there i did a little boxing then came back to the states at ft Meade
MD. I joined the boxing team doing well fighting mostly in dc, VA and at the
penitentiary’s mainly Lorton. I was in the boxing groove I then tried for the 1984 Olympic
trials be fell short. After that I got married and went back to Germany where I was the
only boxer at the base, I was assigned to having a few fights then I had major surgery
on my appendix. So, I decided to get a team and watched the guys playing basketball to
see who was physically fit and had heart which I ended up with a 8-man team. All ended
winning the novice championship then the open championships. Which they chose me
as one of the coaches for Germany at the Baumholder camp which I had met the likes of Ray Mercer, Kevin Bryant and one of our south Atlantic officials Adrian Mitchell along with many more. Ray and Kevin went back to the states with Kenny Adams and hank
Johnson to compete in the Olympic trials where Ray won the gold medal. I was on a roll
and found my niche. I returned to the states at ft Eustis VA and coached that team.
While there me and dan Campbell combined the military and Virginia team to compete
in the 1992 Olympic trials. After a few more years in VA, I returned to Maryland on a
travel nurse assignment. Not knowing anybody but family I stayed away from boxing
until I ran into Maxwell Taylor who I met while in Germany at one of jake smiths’ pro
fights and my love for boxing was reignited. Maxell was an official and introduced me to
Tracy Thorpe which persuaded me to be an official in 2010 after I became an official, I

was moving forward in this world of boxing and ran into Brent Bovell Iwas  impressed with
brent and decided mentor with him and learn how to be a great official which he
welcomed me with open hands. After attending a national tournament and getting to
know the top officials I learned a lot by 2015 I went to my first golden gloves tournament
and won the ring award as a referee then got chosen to attend every national
tournament thereafter. I also was the registration chairman south Atlantic after Tracy
passed in 2013 and following her lead then becoming chief of officials in 2020, I enjoyed
coming to the fights and giving my best so these kids, men and women can get a fair
chance to move on to perform their best at a national tournament. Now performing as a
pro-official, the amateurs helped me get there. Would like to thank Jake Smith, Ring
101 and the South Atlantic Association for their support. Thank you love you all

Marcus H. was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and spent much of his youth abroad after moving to Ireland and England at the age of ten. Life during those years was humble and centered on education, eventually leading him to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the United Kingdom. While his early path was focused on academics, Marcus’s curiosity and determination would soon find a new outlet — one that combined discipline, grit, and personal challenge.

His boxing journey began unexpectedly in Seattle, Washington, as a way to lose weight. After stepping into the ring for his first fight, Marcus was hooked — drawn to the sense of freedom and focus the sport provided. Under the banner of Baltimore Boxing with Jake Smith, and thanks to the guidance and support of Moe Rite, he quickly found a second home. Over the years, Marcus went on to win several state and regional amateur competitions, including the prestigious Golden Gloves, and was honored to represent the United States as a member of the USA Boxing Team from 2005 to 2006, competing internationally and proudly carrying the spirit of Baltimore wherever he went. The lessons learned in the gym — perseverance, humility, and the understanding that there are no shortcuts to success — shaped not just his athletic journey but his entire outlook on life.

Today, Marcus has carried that same discipline and drive into a successful career in consulting, where he helps organizations and teams achieve their goals with clarity and purpose. Outside of work, he finds his greatest fulfillment in family life — as a husband, father, and soon-to-be dad of two. Though his path has evolved, boxing continues to hold a special place in his heart for the people, experiences, and principles that helped shape his story. Marcus extends his gratitude to Baltimore Boxing for being such a meaningful part of his life journey.

John was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. He graduated from Mount Morris High School in 1965 and attended Michigan State University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in music in 1969 and a master's degree in business in 1978.

 

John joined United States Army in 1970. He served in the Republic of Vietnam from 1971 to 1972 as a medic at a heroin detoxification center in Cam Ranh Bay.

 

After his master's degree, John entered the insurance industry in 1980 and worked with three major insurance companies until 1998. In1998 John formed John Grodowski and Company Inc. a small consulting firm working mainly with mutual insurance companies throughout the United States.

 

In 2011, John partnered with UnionServe Corporation to provide clerical services to American insurance companies. He continues to work with UnionServe to this day.

 

John became involved in amateur boxing with his son Joe in 1995 training with Maxell Taylor at the John Burduck Gym in Aberdeen and officiating Amateur boxing with the South Atlantic Association. In 1998, John joined the Maryland State Athletic Commission as a judge and referee. During this time, he was also licensed in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Alabama. John refereed 235 professional fights and judged 1,035 professional fights. He retired from the Commission in 2022.