At 87, Golden Gloves doctor has examined some of the boxing world’s most exciting fighters on their way to greatness. He still works ringside today.

Just hours before the start of the preliminary rounds of the Golden Gloves centennial tournament, the back room of Cicero Stadium is a crowded jumble of ambition and nerves.

At the center of the rectangular cement room full of folding tables and chairs stands one of the most revered figures in the tournament who has never taken a punch.

The soon-to-be 88-year-old Dr. Glenn Bynum quietly assesses each fighter as men of varying ages, ethnicities and weight classes line up single file in their underwear for the stressful final weigh-in.

Dressed in a Navy blue windbreaker, Bynum appears decades younger than a man born in the middle of the Great Depression. He stands straight as he uses his aged stethoscope to check each fighter’s heart rate or eye pupillary response, asking whether they have noticed changes to their health since their last fight.

Bynum will rule a fighter ineligible at any sign of impairment or cognitive injury, or if they haven’t submitted the proper paperwork clearing them to fight.

Those who pass, quickly dress and await final clearance from Bynum and two other doctors.