Pat Barry Has A Deep Legacy In Las Vegas Boxing

Rahshawn Bethea spars in the ring.
-Jacob Walters-Dice City Sports

Barry has passed that passion down to his students, teaching them the science behind boxing. Of course, that passion is paying off, for his students are growing beyond the ring. They’re also growing in life, becoming better people.

“I’m grateful for Pat,” says boxer Miguel Sanchez. “He’s been there for me throughout. He even drives me to work.”

“Training with Pat has built confidence and discipline,” says aspiring pro Rahshawn Bethea. “Here, it feels like we’re a part of a family.”

Clarence “Bones” Adams

Clarence Adams (44-7-4, 1 NC) is one of Pat Barry’s more well-known boxers that he coached, winning the WBA Super Bantamweight championship. “Bones” has made his living as one of boxing’s most intelligent fighters. Of course, appearing on That’s Incredible as an eight-year-old boxer with a young Tiger Woods is also noteworthy.

“Who would’ve thought I’d be training him?” Says Barry.”He had pure tenacity and a desire to win.”

Of course, life wasn’t always easy for Adams. He came from a blue-collar background in Smith Hills, Kentucky, and grew up without running electricity and water. On top of that, he grew up with the nickname, “Bones”, because he was all skin and bones as a kid, with that nickname sticking throughout his lifetime.

Barry’s Boxing in Las Vegas, Nevada
-Jacob Walters-Dice City Sports

However, Barry took him under his wing and watched the young boxer blossom into a star. With an amateur record of 176-4, Adams became a pro, winning the WBC Super Bantamweight title along the way.

Of course, there will always be some interesting stories to tell. One example is when he fought Nestor Garza and broke his hand in the third round.

“After that punch, Adams looks at me and says, “Coach, my hand is broken,” says Barry. “I had told him, ‘That’s why God gave you two!”

“He worked Garza’s soft parts of his body with his left hand and I didn’t hear another word from him after that.”

Adams won that fight via unanimous decision, making March 4, 2000, a special night for Barry and his boxer.

With Adams’s success and resiliency comes a coach who stood with him through “Bones’s” trials and tribulations. Barry has been that coach, patiently teaching his students the art of boxing… and life.

Pat Barry’s Close Friendship With Augie Sanchez

One of Pat Barry’s closest compatriots has been with former featherweight boxer, Augie Sanchez (28-3). Augie is known as the last boxer to defeat Floyd Mayweather Jr., at the amateur level. The two go back many years, with a more personal bond shared over the years. In fact, he’s married to Pat’s daughter, Dawn.

“They both just hit it off,” says Barry. “I couldn’t have asked for a better son-in-law.”

Some of those duties include being a stay-at-home dad, where “Kid Vegas” has adapted well. When Augie isn’t on dad duty, he regularly trains his fighters at Barry’s gym. Here, he helps them improve their skills and preps them for their next fight.

For Barry and Augie, their friendship grew beyond boxing. It helped them become family, with the two tighter than ever. That’s the funny thing about life: it can bring people close together beyond what their callings are.

Learning About Boxing And Life From Pat Barry

Now, Pat Barry is taking the time to train the next generation of up-and-coming boxers. Through his own boxing career and his time as a police officer/detective, students learn the discipline from one of the best coaches. For Barry, he teaches his students through both experiences.

“I believe in teaching safety first,” says Barry.

Boxers are also taught the importance of taking care of themselves. That starts with eating and exercising right.

“It’s important to stay healthy as a boxer,” adds Barry. “That’s how you take care of yourself and become a great all-around fighter.”

Miguel Sanchez talking with a fellow gym member. -Jacob Walters-Dice City Sports

Pat Barry’s teachings are felt throughout the gym, with boxers from all walks of life. Whether they’re getting into boxing for their health or aspiring to become professional, the sessions provide a team mentality that forges strong fighters.

“All of it is tough,” says Bethea. “It’s about where your mindset is and getting there.”

“You just have to stay consistent because it doesn’t get easy. That’s how you get better and can better yourself.”

For Pat Barry, Boxing Goes Beyond The Sport

For fighters like D.C. Washington, they understand this. He took up two years at Clark High School before transferring to boxing.

“Never quit,” says Washington. “The next fight’s always the hardest. That’s why you must learn your craft.”

For Miguel Sanchez, it was a way to better himself in life.

“I was involved in graffiti [in Tucson] when I was 14-15 years old,” says Sanchez. “I had no motive but to make money. That’s when I came across boxing.”

D.C. Washington practices his boxing on a sparring bag. -Jacob Walters-Dice City Sports

For Sanchez, boxing has been a calling for him, with Barry helping him in his corner since day one, having trained for six months for a local tournament. He was nearly disqualified for not having a coach. That’s when Barry stepped in and coached him.

Sanchez won his first fight by disqualification but lost in the 2nd fight by knockout. However, he found himself a new coach that would teach him about boxing and life.

“What more can I ask for?” Says Sanchez. “If there’s a God, they’re showing themselves. I wouldn’t have met great guys and a great coach in Pat.”