Alice Grady, fondly known as “The GOAT,” the greatest of all timekeepers
By: George Hanson Jr., Esq.
March is “Women’s History Month,” and I knew I had to share the story of a true pioneer in boxing—a rising legend and future Hall of Famer—Alice Grady, fondly known as “The GOAT,” the greatest of all timekeepers. Since I first watched Alice in action when she began her journey in 2015 at the Philadelphia Golden Gloves as a timekeeper for USA Boxing Mid-Atlantic Region Local Boxing Committee—the organization overseeing amateur boxing across Eastern and Central Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and all of Delaware—her career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Over the years, I have witnessed her dedication and skill firsthand. Now, I invite you to join me as we take a closer look at Alice’s inspiring career, her sources of motivation, and my observations along the way. I declare her the Greatest of All Timekeepers.
Alice Grady was born and raised in North Philadelphia, growing up in a tight-knit family at 20 Grantz Street. She was nurtured by her mother, Sylean Pope, and her grandmother, Reverend Sylvania D. Stevens, who was both an evangelist and a pastor. Alice completed her high school education at Germantown High School in 1988. After graduating, she attended All-State Career School, where she earned her certification in Medical Billing & Coding. Alice later married Alexander Grady Jr., and together they have two children: a daughter, Destiny, who is thirty years old, a son, Alexander III, who is a year younger than his sister and two beautiful grandchildren. Professionally, Alice serves as a Senior Revenue Medical Billing Specialist at the esteemed Wills Eye Hospital.
Alice’s mother, Sylean Pope, who passed away in July 2025, was a devoted fan of boxing. Her
passion for the sport was evident through the many fight parties she hosted and her regular presence at significant boxing events in Atlantic City during the 1980s and 1990s. Sylean’s enthusiasm for boxing sparked Alice’s own interest, leading her to read Ring Magazine. It was through the magazine that Alice was introduced to Roy Jones Jr., who became one of her favorite fighters. Alice enjoyed the magazine’s stories, especially those highlighting boxers’ motivations for entering the ring and their ways of overcoming adversity. She also developed a deep respect for Andre “S.O.G.” Ward, the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist and undefeated unified World Super-middleweight and Light-heavyweight Champion, particularly admiring his dedication to keeping faith at the center of his life.
Alice Grady’s passion for boxing took a major turn in 2009 when she attended her very first professional fight at The Legendary Blue Horizon. The excitement and energy of the live event captivated her, and she quickly found herself drawn deeper into the sport. Over the following years, Alice became a regular at local boxing matches, her enthusiasm growing with each bout she witnessed. Eventually, her desire to be more than just a spectator led her to consider how she might become directly involved in the sport she had come to love.
Alice knew she wanted to be close to the action but was not interested in paying for ringside seats. She thoughtfully explored the various roles available in boxing and found herself gravitating toward the position of timekeeper. She recognized that serving as a judge involved navigating complex politics, and the role of referee seemed too anxiety-inducing. Guided by the advice of Jamil Ali, President of the USA Boxing Mid-Atlantic Region Local Boxing Committee, Alice embarked on her training as a timekeeper. Her first official assignment came at the 2015 Philadelphia Golden Gloves, marking the start of her journey in the ring.
Along the way, Alice benefited greatly from the mentorship of the late and esteemed referee George Hill, who offered her valuable guidance and support. With determination and a clear sense of purpose, Alice Grady began what would become a Hall of Fame-bound career, following her passion and laying the foundation for her legacy in the world of boxing.
On September 29, 2017, I had the privilege of sitting in press row at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia when Alice Grady made her debut as a professional timekeeper. The event, a nine-bout card promoted by Marshall Kauffman’s King’s Promotions and headlined by Philadelphia bantamweight Christian Carto, marked a significant milestone in Alice’s career. Since that night, Alice has officiated eighty-five events across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey—a testament to her dedication and expertise.
Alice’s meticulousness set her apart early on. She preserved every bout sheet from her assignments, a practice that later proved invaluable. This recordkeeping played a crucial role in helping Henry Hascup, President of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, and respected referee Harvey Dock advocate for the recognition of timekeepers on BoxRec, the comprehensive online database for professional and amateur boxing records. Their efforts bore fruit in 2019, when BoxRec began officially listing timekeepers—an acknowledgment that had been missing until then.
In 2025, Alice concluded her tenure as an amateur boxing timekeeper to focus exclusively on professional boxing. Her presence is felt throughout the tri-state area, with regular assignments in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Interestingly, though she has held a license in New York for the past four years, she has yet to receive an assignment there—a situation that remains perplexing.
The role of a timekeeper in boxing is accompanied by distinct challenges, with one of the most significant being the requirement for flawless coordination with referees. Alice Grady understands the importance of this relationship and makes it a point to establish rapport with referees before each event. Her dedication to teamwork has allowed her to collaborate with some of the industry’s most respected officials, including Shawn Clark, Harvey Dock, Eric Dali, and Shada Murdaugh.
Beyond working with referees, Alice is also attentive to the ring announcer’s approach and timing. She ensures that the bell is rung at the precise moment during ring announcements, allowing the event to proceed smoothly and without confusion. This level of attention to detail is crucial to maintaining the integrity and flow of each match.
The necessity for seamless communication between the timekeeper and referee was highlighted during the historic bout between Mike Tyson and Buster Douglas in Tokyo, Japan, on February 11, 1990. In this match, timekeeper Hideyuki Tanaka began his count as soon as Douglas hit the canvas, while referee Octavio Meyran Sanchez started his official count several seconds later. As a result, Douglas rose at the count of nine and ultimately defeated Tyson in the tenth round, claiming the Undisputed World Heavyweight title in what became one of boxing’s most controversial moments. This situation underscored the importance of synchronization between the timekeeper and referee, as working together can prevent misunderstandings and ensure fair outcomes in the ring.
In speaking with Alice Grady, I discovered a detail that is often overlooked: timekeepers are expected to supply their own equipment for every event. This includes the bell, clappers, and whistle. Many, including myself, might assume that such critical items are provided by the athletic commissions, but that is not the case. Timekeepers must ensure they are fully prepared, as these tools are essential to their role.
Despite the importance of their responsibilities, timekeepers frequently go unrecognized. Their role is fundamental—no boxing match can commence without the timekeeper present and ready. For this reason, timekeepers deserve to be acknowledged with the same respect as other officials. Just as the referee, judges, and doctor are introduced before the main event, so too should the timekeeper be formally announced, recognizing their vital contribution to the sport.
Alice is quick to acknowledge the support she has received throughout her career. She expresses deep gratitude to Greg Sirb, former Executive Director of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, and Larry Hazzard, Commissioner of the New Jersey State Athletic Board. Their guidance, support, and leadership have been instrumental in helping her pursue her ambitions in professional boxing.
Throughout her journey, Alice is guided by the wisdom of her grandmother, Sylvania, who passed away ten years ago. Her mantra – “keep God first – let him direct your steps”—continues to inspire Alice in both her careers in medical billing and boxing. It is no wonder that Alice Grady is on a clear path to induction into the Pennsylvania State Boxing Hall of Fame and beyond. As the saying goes, “she is always on time and knows what time it is!” Truly, Alice Grady is the G.O.A.T—the greatest of all timekeepers.
Continue to support the sweet science, and remember, always carry your mouthpiece.
ghanson18@icloud.com
