Success born from adversity is like a flame sparked in the darkest night—small at first, but fueled by struggle—it grows into a force that lights the way for others. Calvin Ford, Gervonta Davis’ coach, in many ways, embodies that perfectly. The Baltimore puncher seemed destined to join the countless others in jail or death in his rough childhood in one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in Baltimore. 

However, boxing saved him—a seven-year-old Davis found ambition in the confines of a gym, which saw him rise to the epitome of the sport of the sweet science. Still, he didn’t come out unscathed—while he made it out, his friends and family became tragic statistics. One of those people was Quaadir Gurley. He was the friend who introduced Davis to boxing and the late son of Davis’ long-time trainer and father figure Calvin Ford.

All we know about Quaadir Gurley, Calvin Ford’s son?

For Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, Quaadir Gurley was more than just a name in the boxing community—he was a beacon of hope and significant influence, without whom the sport might never have gotten its current ‘Face of Boxing.’ Gurley, a father of six, was a promising boxer and a mentor to Davis, who introduced him to boxing at a very young age. 

Gurley tragically passed away in 2013 at the very young age of 24, after being shot in the North Trenton neighborhood in Trenton, New Jersey, leaving a profound impact on those who knew him. Like Davis, Gurley grew up in the tough neighborhood of Baltimore, faced with the harsh realities of his environment, and it would be the same thing that eventually took his life.

Talented and determined, Gurley showed promise in the ring, but his loss shook the community, especially Ford and Davis, who going forth dedicated many fights in Gurley’s memory. Regardless, Ford’s late son might not be around anymore, but his legacy continues to inspire many, serving as a tough reminder of the reality of life in Baltimore. 

Davis, reflecting on Gurley and many others who passed away too soon, said, “Angelo Ward, Ronald Gibbs, and Coach Calvin’s son—they’re guys who died and were such a major influence on my life.” He added, “Actually, many young men I used to look up to are either dead or in jail. Whenever I fight, I feel like their legacy is going into the ring with me. It’s a big responsibility, but I’ll take that.”

Did Quaadir Gurley train Gervonta Davis?

Quaadir Gurley played a pivotal role in Gervonta Davis’s early boxing journey, but he was not Davis’ trainer in the conventional sense. A close friend, Gurley, introduced Davis to boxing when he was just 7 years old. His encouragement helped steer Davis toward a successful career, which has seen Davis rise through the ranks like no other. “When I look back, I think what happened to them kept him straight,” Ford said to Baltimore Sun.

Although Gurley didn’t serve as a traditional trainer, his early support and mentorship were instrumental in shaping Davis’s path from a troubled youth to a boxing champion. Gurley’s legacy continues to inspire Davis, illustrating the power of friendship and guidance in achieving greatness.

How did Quaadir Gurley pass away? Aftermath of his demise

The 24-year-old’s death came just after the shooter, Isiah Greene, 24, of Trenton, had been released on bail for a separate violent crime. Greene had a history of criminal activity, and it would continue after his release as he gunned down Gurley in an incident that shocked the local community. 

In the aftermath of this horrific incident, the shooter was arrested on November 18, 2013, by the members of the Mercer County Homicide Task Force. Greene was charged with murder and multiple weapons offenses, with his bail set at $500,000. This was followed by a lengthy legal battle, which saw Greene face three separate trials. 

Greene was convicted of unlawful possession of a handgun during his third trial, but the jury deadlocked on the other charges—it included first-degree purposeful murder. Ultimately, Greene entered a plea deal on February 27, 2015, pleading guilty to second-degree reckless manslaughter.

He was sentenced to six years in prison, concurrent with other sentences related to his weapons conviction and an entirely separate aggravated assault case. Interestingly, Greene’s criminal history further complicated the case, as he had been involved in violent crimes in the past as well. Just five days after killing Gurley, he was charged with drug distribution offenses. 

However, as part of his plea deal‌, the drug charges were dropped, and Judge Massi, who presided over the case, ruled that Greene’s sentence was fair and just. 

More about Calvin Ford’s life and coaching career

The pride of Baltimore and the man behind Gervonta Davis, Calvin Ford, was born on August 30, 1967, in Baltimore, Maryland. From the get-go, life was hard, as he faced significant challenges during his youth, which ultimately led to a ten-year federal prison sentence for drug-related crimes. 

Despite all the turbulence in his life and background, his passion for boxing remained unwavering and played a crucial role in making him the world-renowned trainer he is today. Come 1998, Ford was released from prison, and right away, he dedicated himself to mentoring young individuals, determined to guide them away from the pitfalls that forced him into a prison sentence. 

Ford, today, is known mostly for his contributions to Gervonta Davis’ career, but he has done a lot more for his community. He co-founded the Upton Boxing Center with Kenny Ellis, creating a nurturing environment for aspiring boxers, and helping them prepare for competitions like the USA Boxing and the Junior Olympics. 

Without him, many of those young individuals could have become another addition to the statistics. Instead, because of Ford’s dedication to coaching, those individuals have become successful athletes, revitalizing the sport in Baltimore. All this was possible because of Ford’s coaching philosophy—hard work, determination, and relentless pursuit of success. 

Interestingly, Ford’s life story has also inspired the character Dennis ‘Cutty’ Wise in the acclaimed series ‘The Wire,’ which illustrates his impact on and off the ring. However, his coaching philosophy is centered around fostering discipline and resilience, offering hope and structure to those in need.

His commitment to developing young talent and changing lives remains at the forefront of his coaching career, demonstrating the profound impact one individual can have on their community.

When surrounded by adversity, being the beacon of hope is not everyone’s cup of tea. However, for Calvin Ford, it’s just another day at the office. This is despite the tragic loss of his son in 2013. The boxing community including Gervonta Davis continues to draw inspiration from the champion that could have been. What did you think of Tank, Ford, and Gurley’s story?