Honey Comb Boxing Gym

 By: Greg Cerchione- Baltimore Beat

 

 

Baltimore’s Honey Comb boxing gym is as local as organized boxing gets. Located in a back lot off of Greenmount Avenue, this easy to miss gym is in a garage like looking building with only a small sign revealing this well-known boxing gym. So well known that professional trainers teach and coach youth boxers. Honey Comb gym prides itself for home-grown talent Professional boxer and Baltimore native Vernon Mason had an 82 fight-winning streak and was rated third best welterweight in the world at the peak of his career. He, now in his late 60’s, teaches young boxers proper technique, fitness and most of all, discipline.

           

           

 The gym is rag tag and old school with worn out and makeshift equipment. The atmosphere is hectic but methodical with a bell that rings every thirty seconds to signal a switch in the workout. There are several workout circuits including three heavy bags, a speed bag, an area for weight lifting, and of course a full sized ring.

 

With music blasting in the background, coaches yelling and gloves hitting heavy bags and other boxers, the sound of the gym was intense. It is dimly light and has layer of dust or mist in the air, and the coach here looked like Mickey training Rocky for his big fight.

 

The best thing about it: membership is free. Unlike a fancy gym with monthly subscriptions, Honey Comb boxing gym is all about showing young athletes the ropes for pure enjoyment and pride. This place has history, and as long as you train here consistently, the coaches will respect and invest their time into you, pushing you to your fullest potential.

 

Several of the boxers in the gym are classified as professionals. Others are participating in events like the Golden Gloves in New York City this summer, and some are Loyola students just looking to further their love for boxing and get out of the Loyola “bubble” and into Baltimore boxing culture. Senior and Political Science major Ed Maselli has been training here for four years. “The place is heart of the city old school, which I love. It’s just a great all around atmosphere.” He highly recommends it to his friends.

 

Sophomore and Marketing major Tommy Gollenburg stated, “This is my first time here, and I can’t wait to come back. I definitely need to wrap my hands next time, they’re all cut up.”

 

  While following eight-year coach Chinn around the gym he explained, “I train my older son here, see he’s a monster too. And you see Travis over there jumping rope… he’s a professional fighter.” The great thing is, the coaches are welcoming and excited to teach new comers. They are there purely for the sport and do not focus on making a profit. Boxing is their passion and they want to share it with others by teaching them their secrets and long learned techniques. If you’re in the mood for a sweat and some old school boxing lessons, stop by Honey Comb boxing gym.