Former drug kingpin coaches boxing at a Baltimore gym to give kids a fighting chance

For the "CBS Mornings" series "More Perfect Union," CBS News national correspondent Jericka Duncan visits the Upton Boxing Center in Baltimore where a reformed drug kingpin, who inspired a character on the HBO drama "The Wire," coached one of the country's top boxers and is using boxing to save generations of young people from life in the streets.
#gym #boxing #baltimore
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[@Deontelewis846]

You mean coach Calvin ? Calling him a former kingpin is crazy. Bro got championship boxers on his roster pay that man his respect

[@HakiAmmiSuccessScholar1]

It's his past. He's not ashamed.

[@qman9194]

Former drug Kingpin is important because it shows growth and rehabilitation! It lets the youth know that’s in the streets know that you can chose a different path

[@TizzTv]

@@qman9194 naw lets be honest .. its for views to have that kind of title. but I can see the side you're talking about too

[@jwa7378]

@@HakiAmmiSuccessScholar1 facts

[@mikeprice8307]

​@@TizzTv so he wasn't a drug kingpin?

[@jamseason5]

former drug kingpin is crazyyyyy ain’t have to do my man like that 😂

[@clintonbarrett9427]

I said the same shid

[@TopBillinSports]

If you serve 10 years in the feds, it means you were indeed that. They aren't putting bids like that on some lowly street runner.

[@louie2xx]

@@TopBillinSportsthe fact is they still have to say that Calvin has done great things for his community and he’s also the trainer to one the best boxers in the world and has been for the past 10 years as well so it’s more good that out ways the bad

[@TopBillinSports]

@@louie2xx - They gave him a literal 8 minutes or whatever to tell all of that, man. You ppl are always headline driven and not content driven. That's laziness. And the entire headline still reads, "coaches boxing at a Bmore gym to give kids a fighting chance."

[@mescudic]

It brings more “views”

[@Charlie-ll7wk]

Man im from Baltimore and i aint know coach cal was a kingpin . He keep that in the back. Most people from here try to glorify that but coach never did that . Coach a real one !!!!!!!!!

[@Mememe1838]

That’s a good tact on his character.

[@ariefraiser140]

Damn... It's great Cutty is finally getting national recognition.

[@AlwonDomz]

The game wasn’t in ‘em no more…

[@freshrich736]

Whatever in you that let you flow like you flow and do that thang that you do lol ( pause)

[@ernestgarrison2029]

CCO

[@BabyBreez0]

@@AlwonDomzyou ain’t hearing him………

[@nenola504]

He Still a man today 😂😂💯

[@Blackcollarsports]

Coach Calvin Ford. You are a inspiration to me. I respect you for being a black man bringing people to the hood and giving back to the community. Respect bro . From Chicago

[@samuraijose817]

Unless he sold ice. Idk about all that.

[@jadenotto7609]

Always gotta be a black man, why not just a man? He’s a great man and great human being.

[@Blackcollarsports]

@@jadenotto7609 because he represents my black culture, my black skin color, a neighborhood similar to my community. Why not ask why they introduced him as just a man instead of a drug kingpin

[@truth2you]

@@Blackcollarsports Exactly!

[@MobileSMSLocal]

"STOP PLAYIN WIT MY YOUNGIN!" --Coach Ford 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@django3139]

Legendary😂

[@mrgonzalez4583]

Coach Calvin is a great coach. Happy that him and Gervonta met and made history

[@tigress08forever56]

He's a hero. Thank you Coach Ford.

[@cornell833]

No he isn't

[@Rook20]

@@cornell833 This is your grandma upstairs. Did you go job hunting today?

[@boxing4life410]

@@cornell833to tank he is

[@CashRules660]

​@@Rook20Yo this comment is crazy..🤣

[@SpiritMover314]

Wow…..FREE of charge? Teaching kids self-defense, health and nutrition, and life lessons….I would definitely donate to this gym, however I could to keep kids positively active, and off of the streets.

[@raphaelharmon4430]

So it took CBS to come all the way to Baltimore to finally give this coach his flowers n boxing still hasn’t gave it to him. Well they don’t have to coach Calvin, the world loves u. Most importantly those kids will always honor u sir. Thankyou sir for saving those kids. Thankyou sir. Detroit city saluteeee a real general. A solid OG. Thankyou coach.

[@Phillydog1958]

I loved Cutty from The Wire and got nothing but mad respect for Coach Ford and Tank. Great work. Keep it up, Coach.

[@Kasparoza]

Beautiful story. To the producers if you see this, thank you for spotlighting this. 🙏🏽

[@fredo2x625]

Facts 💯

[@MostlyPeacefulNinja]

Wow. They did a good job on this segment. Coach Calvin is a real humble dude, he doesn't carry himself like a celebrity or big shot. He's even more down-to-earth than you see him on TV.

[@ImTaneaSmith]

What an amazing story. They're doing the good work for these young men. God bless.

[@sputneedickens9446]

He said it well, if God wakes you up in the morning, you have the ability to do what you want.

[@johngarcia8827]

I boxed from 11 to 22. The bixing gym was where I forgot all the chaos of my life and met kids in the same situation looking to escape We became a tight groyp. I used to save change for dues and bus fare. You couldnt stop me. And what was really great was back then trainers would train a kid for free if they saw they were dedicated. The gym was always packed with the retired fighters whos posters were on the wall always giving you their time to teach . The guys were mentors and big brothers. Its always been a sport for a certain type of kid. Glad to see it hasnt changed much. Morris Park Boxing gym in the Bronx It's still there and still the same

[@mikedc]

We need more people or coaches like him.

[@Hannibal54689]

Coach Ford and Coach Ellis are awesome folks helping the kids when they could have a gym somewhere in the suburbs they choose to stay in the hood Respect

[@marwinreeves164]

Coach Calvin Ford, Congratulations to you on being a light to darkness and allowing young men to see their worth. Keep pushing others up.

[@skywalker39100]

Coach Ford in Baltimore City!💯🥊🏆🎯🥇

[@Momocakeswiththecurves]

Coach is a great man!!! He so selfless ...

[@richardmccall7479]

Thank you Coach Calvin and Coach Kenny careing about the Kids in City B-MORE 💯

[@cantrelle7742]

Respect to Coach Calvin he has a courageous heart!

[@Mdchessbro]

Glad he came out, Nice to see honest people that struggled at some point to. We need to give the legends there flowers while there still here tomorrow is never promised.

[@Solid_kool]

Calvin ford definitely need to win "The trainer of the decade award" so much respect for him and his team real life tho

[@SupermanHopkins]

Glad these guys are getting the mainstream recognition they so richly deserve.

[@mathewfoster2058]

So Awesome. I didn't even know this. So much more love & respect to You Mr. Ford and Gervonta. Plus all the other kids/men we don't hear about. When I was a teenage kid we had a boxing gym/coach in my small California town that helped me and many others with his tireless dedication to us kids. While working a full-time job too. Glad u dedicated to help kids. Amazing sacrifice. That's what's up. You're really a HERO. Because u didn't know for sure u was gonna have a future World Champion great boxer. U was just dedicated to helping kids. But I know u saw Gervonta was great early on. So that's just icing on the cake. True hero. I mean that.

[@jimjankswankson]

B-MORE LOVE YOU COACH! Straight like that.👍🏾

[@TachoSJ]

Respect to Coach Calvin. When I saw the title of the video, and saw him, my mind immediately went to Cutty - only for them to reveal that he was the inspiration for Cutty a few seconds later. That’s crazy

[@davejones2920]

God Is Good He Sent A Angel

[@MrGwokgetter]

Salute to the Great Brother Coach Calvin. A pillar in the community. Producing Champions in and outside the ring 🥊The rising tide lifting all boats... he was trying to get Mia "Killer Bee" Ellis some promo time before CBS cut the clip short. She a champion on the rise. Be on the lookout

[@randyIam7]

A very real, touching story. For the real ones

[@TyroneSwen]

God bless this man! True OG, True black King, True survivor, living Legend! Keep shining man, God is definitely with this man! Happy to see that in my lifetime!!💯🙏🏾

[@MackMittenzTV]

Salute to Coach Calvin for inspiring the youth and keeping them off the streets!

[@bethschmitz6734]

Coach Calvin, good dude!

[@leekleek1971]

He's amazing!!! And the interviewer is GORGEOUS❤

[@mikedan9288]

Coach Calvin is good ppl no question it shows in the way he carries himself. Very nice inspiring reporting!

[@WarrenHolly]

Rize podcast in the building 💪🏿🥊 Baltimore stand up! As a member of the Rize Podcast I invite you all to the Rize podcast where the Coaches as well as the boxers come through on the regular. Weeknights at 9. We just boxing and life lessons come join if you like be a part of the family 🙏🏾👍🏾🥊

[@TopBillinSports]

Saying it's one of the worst neighborhoods in the city is an understatement. It is no doubt the worst neighborhood in Baltimore and, perhaps, the worst neighborhood in the entire country. I used to live in Baltimore, and that's a part of the city you avoid at all costs unless you're commuting to the airport.

[@fredo2x625]

I love Baltimore ❤️

[@JM-kv5li]

God bless you Coach thank you for what you do

[@dloc5994]

Coach is a real one need more like him

[@msvicky5599]

I love you 💕 and respect black man, I appreciate what you are doing for your community 🙏🏾💯🥊!

[@WarrenHolly]

You are invited to the Rize podcast weeknights at 9. The Coaches be there and of course Tank supports the show also. It's lotsa fun and you can meet some wonderful people 👍🏾🥊

[@the.seagull.35]

​@@WarrenHollySounds cool 👍

[@83devildog]

Calvin is a good man. Respect

[@paullevajac5574]

God bless you Calvin Ford for genuinely caring for the young kids who need your guidance. I’m a Huge fan of Gevonta Davis

[@FlashFlash-tb6vf]

I read an article on Duncan. It's tough for her to get the media industry to take her journalism skills serious because she is so attractive, it's one of the reasons she cut her hair. She is talented but gosh dang she is FINE AS HELL! Glad to see we are working to save our youth.

[@KYLOWW]

Gave me chills and weather boxing or MMA is a passion or something else go after it and don't look back.

[@Wazabanga1]

That quote from Tank made me cry when coach Ford broke down😢😢😢😢

[@Limpbizcut]

IF GOD WAKE YOU UP IN THE MORNING YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO WHATEVER YOU WANT. well said coach Thank you God for the gift of LIFE

[@briansmith9959]

Great story .....it's not easy keep working....glad to see Tank still goes back!!

[@bigxavipg]

Shed a tear for Baltimore I spent 9months there n embraced the city and understood what needed to be done that will never be done. Tank is a real spiderman for this place n Youngboy

[@RichnRare]

What a comeback story. ❤❤❤

[@cityflynn8045]

People think the worst of Baltimore but fortunately we have a lot of good people and ack men like Calvin that don't get recognized. I live my City and the the Good People of Baltimore

[@WrestlingSuperstar83]

I truly respect and champion this man for giving back to the youth, especially to these young black males who need a "role model" who gives a damn about them!!! This man's testimony and redemption is something to be celebrated and respected!! Thank you Sir for all you are doing keep the youth off of those B-more streets.

[@reneedennis2011]

Thank you for this video.

[@qman9194]

Former drug Kingpin is important because it shows growth and rehabilitation! It lets the youth that’s in the streets know that you can chose a different path

[@capac2]

Had no idea Calvin Ford had this past, props to him. Bless up 🙏👍🏽

[@pamelakilgore7836]

Amen, sir. God bless this man in Jesus name amen. Pamela in Detroit

[@mopar_keys]

Coach Calvin ! 🥊🥊

[@DiegoSilva-cb6ou]

Damn he reminds me of my coach boxing does really change your life especially if you’ve been through so much trauma and seeing so much street violence in front of you makes you think at times you saved your self because boxing teaches young man’s like us to stand up for ourselves and move a certain way.

[@Kattdaddy7lh7ht7z]

My favorite three coaches of all time's, Mike Tyson old coach, Calvin Ford and Kenny Ellis 👊🏿💯💣💥🔥

[@DavidStClair-f7k]

This video should have a million views

[@holyrivals7191]

We dew, what we dew!

[@parkerkevinjr]

Coach Calvin is the best 💯

[@santosjones6186]

THANK U JESUS🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@worldstar4677]

Trainer of the year

[@AliAminAleem-nh4bs]

Coach always been a Stand Up Guy

[@joepernell4855]

Keep up.the good work.coach God bless you

[@tko8218]

There are boxing gyms all across the US that are struggling--especially those in the inner city. I hope someone will be inspired to go and check on their local community gym. I've volunteered for years in coaching kids. Anyone can contribute a little and make a big difference.

[@thatboybrandon123]

When I get it I will

[@mrrodgers4692]

Baltimore city full of real people ❤

[@hippiechick2112]

A lot of kids do not go home to love. Awestruck.

[@leedza]

The way he say "do" reminds me of snoop. Good to see the man behind the Cutty plot line.

[@keelhe893]

He deserves the trainer of the year award

[@lillee183]

Keep saving lives 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿

[@3emzack]

Calvin Ford is a legend and example for black men💯

[@Smokers.54]

300 onna waiting list is crazy we need atleast 30 boxing gyms in the DMV

[@jamesvaughn9753]

Calvin The Best Salute Uncle You Amazing

[@WillieDLive]

Salute!

[@kwon2289]

Great man and great job coach Calvin 👍🏾💯

[@yeabsirasefr6209]

there should be a boxing gym on every block

[@arianbrooks2399]

From the streets to the ring great story 🙏🏽

[@poopyfartboi]

I looked up the DareDevil “son of a boxer” scene, was not expecting to have to fight off ninjas cutting onions 🥲 what a beautiful soul, and God bless and protect those kids!!

[@angelortiz353]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💪💪💪GOD WATCHING CALVING THANK YOU FOR SAVING THIS YOUNG MEN AND WOMAN🙏🙏

[@briscoesun21]

Need more ppl like coach Calvin

[@donnellpool6239]

It's about time Coach Calvin Ford got the recognition from CBS .

[@justvibing2497]

2:52 that drills does nothing. Great coach

[@Forever.Remain.Nameless]

Strengthening his core, wtf you mean it does nothing? How many undefeated world champions have you trained?😂

[@LisaLewis-or3bn]

REAL MEN DO REAL THINGS 💯

[@LisaLewis-or3bn]

CALVIN IS GETTING HIS FLOWERS 💐

[@shonemarcus2966]

🎉Cheers to Coaches Calvin & Kenny! Lastly, their student of the game Tankquilizer🎉 B"more! Say less. Duces up, from L.A.Ca.#Damu

[@hazelmckelvin3845]

#Salute… Calvin Ford.. is Baltimore’s true Champ

[@alanmcmillan6969]

This guy has turned his life around, and now is an insperation.

[@12_3s]

*coach Kenny is a blessing we all have our back stories but this man here you should have no animosity towards* This is a Strong Black Man and I respect Coach Calvin Ford for all that he does in his community and for his influence around the world… *his job has only begun* ❤

[@12_3s]

WE LOVE YOU CALVIN ❤ & thank you CBS for bringing the world closer to “The Struggle” ❤LOVE PEACE ☮️ & HAPPINESS 🙂🙃

[@12_3s]

WE LOVE YOU CALVIN ❤ & thank you CBS for bringing the world closer to “The Struggle” ❤LOVE PEACE ☮️ & HAPPINESS 🙂🙃

[@thewestphloe2472]

God bless Bmore 🙌🏾 🙏🏿

[@Danklukain4100]

Damn no mention that his fighter is THE Face of boxing FROM Baldamore

[@carltonbass2501]

Blessings Flowing ❤️🙏

[@hoovagangswcqpent8621]

The real cuddly my from the wire

[@ticocastro6073]

Coach of the year

[@JamesGarcia-o3v]

While you reporters were there did you see any politicians while there?

[@bigmo10]

Awesome reporting on an awesome story 👍🏿

[@marcusvail6813]

Coach Calvin is a G.