Michael Melbar comes from a boxing family. Michael Melbar is a native Clevelander who was born at the old St. Alexis Hospital in 1966. As a young child, Melbar’s mother died. After her death, he and his brothers were raised by their grandparents, James and Genevieve Gray, until Melbar was eight years old. According to Melbar, his father took the responsibility to care for him and his brothers, Tony, Joey, Jim, and Johnny. “At nine years old,” Melbar said, “my first pair of boxing gloves were put on me by my father.”

Melbar and his brothers were trained by the late Jim Kelly at PAL 10 gym. According to Melbar, he had his first fight was at the old Navy Park. Melbar graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1984, and joined the United States Army. He served in the Army from 1984-1987. Melbar continued his boxing career in the Army and he is proud that he was a member of the `All Army Team’ of 1986 and 1987. Prior to an early retirement, Melbar was a machinist at Central Brass before the plant relocated overseas. According to Melbar, his biggest fan is his daughter, Destiny, who always been in his corner.

Melbar and his brother, John, were matched eight times against each other in the finals of the Tough Guy Competitions, and the brothers took turns so that the other could win. As a professional figher, Melbar got a late start in his career. He became a professional fighter at 38 years old. Melbar was trained by Gary Horath, and his first professional fight was against Robert Smart at St. Michael’s Hall in Cleveland in May of 2004, and he won the fight by a KO in the first found. In his second fight, he won it by a TKO in the first round 14 against Kelly Praterin in June of 2004 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Cleveland. Melbar fought five professional fights, and retired with a record of 2-3.

Melbar enjoys watching all kinds of sporting events, but most especially boxing matches. Melbar is being inducted into the Ohio State Former Boxers And Associates, Inc., Hall of Fame along with Alex Cooper and Terry Strowder.