Calvin Ford, the famed boxing trainer and basis for a character in HBO’s ‘The Wire’ was arrested in his native Baltimore on December 29 and is awaiting a transfer to Nevada, where he’s reportedly facing felony assault charges.
As a Baltimore police spokesperson confirmed to DailyMail.com, the 58-year-old was arrested last week while leaving the Upton Gym, where he’s trained countless boxers, including Abdul Wahid, known until recently as Gervonta Davis.
Ford is wanted on two charges of assault with a deadly weapon following an incident in Las Vegas, according to the Baltimore Banner.
Details about the allegations against Ford have not been publicized and Las Vegas police spokespeople did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.
Kenny Ellis, Ford’s training partner, told the Banner that the allegations against the decorated boxing coach are false. Ellis did not explain the specifics of the alleged incident, but told Fannon International Boxing Channel that he witnessed whatever transpired.
Trainer Calvin Ford (right) is pictured alongside Abdul Wahid, formerly Gervonta Davis.
Ford (left) has the basis for The Wire’s Dennis ‘Cutty’ Wise, played by Chad Coleman (right)
‘Coach Calvin ain’t the type of guy that out here getting in a bunch of drama,’ Ellis said. ‘I can’t stress it enough, Calvin is innocent. He didn’t do nothing wrong.’
Like Dennis ‘Cutty’ Wise, the famed HBO character based on Ford in The Wire, Ford became a boxing trainer after a long stretch in federal prison.
But despite his previous convictions for racketeering and conspiracy, Ford found his calling working with children on Baltimore’s west side.
He’s celebrated for having a positive influence in the lives of many local youths, include Wahid, who has battled his own legal issues out of the ring.
Earlier this summer, when the fighter then known as Davis pleaded guilty to a 2020 hit-and-run crash, he was initially ordered to serve his home detention at Ford’s home.
Later Wahid was ordered to go to prison after it was revealed he was spending time at his own residence and a luxury hotel.