Once, Mack Lewis was a scrappy kid on the streets of East Baltimore. Back then patient adults taught him boxing skills. Now, for more than 50 years, “Mr. Mack” has given back, developing Baltimore boys into men, turning those men into boxers and building character in everyone who enters his domain. Lewis has trained countless boxers who have excelled, from recreational athletes through amateur competitors all the way to world professional champions. But wins and losses are not the measure of this rare man. This Web site celebrates Mr. Mack’s lifelong journey that has challenged his boxers, inspired all Baltimoreans and made his city a better place.

World famous artist Joseph Sheppard trained under Lewis. Sheppard later painted this portrait from a photo of Lewis in his prime.

Mack Lewis, for over 50 years has guided and inspired thousands of Baltimore’s young men at his Eager Street Gym. The Gym was as Spartan as the men who toiled there to learn their skills. No running water, no heat, no air-conditioning.  That just changed.  On July 10th, state and local dignitaries led by MD Lieutenant  Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Baltimore  City's, Mayor Martin O'Malley  presided over a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating a new home, The New Mack Lewis Gym, for Mr. Mack's storied program.  The Foundation coordinated the efforts of the City Government and local builders, engineers, painters, electricians and lumberman under the direction Bill Struever of Struever Brothers, Eccles and Rouse to build this new educational and recreational center. The facility, and Mr. Mack's works will continue under the funding of the "Mr. Mack Lewis Foundation."

 WE NEED YOUR HELP: The Mr. Mack Lewis Foundation is in need of corporate and individual donors so that together, we can continue his work and keep making Baltimore a better place for all of us. How you can help this vital cause.

Mr. Mack and wife Pearl talk with MD Lieutenant  Governor Kathleen Kennedy at the opening of the New Mack Lewis Gym

More photos of the ceremony

In the beginning... A photo from 1954 shows Mr. Mack and his fighters.  Learn the history of Mack Lewis and his impact on Baltimore.

At age 84, Mr. Mack is still actively training the champions of tomorrow.  Mack works the corner of a willing youth at his latest  armature boxing show on Jan. 18, 2003