Kevin Barry (boxer)
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing  New Zealand | ||
| Men's boxing | ||
| Olympic Games | ||
| Silver | 1984 Los Angeles | Light heavyweight |
| Commonwealth Games | ||
| Bronze | 1982 Brisbane | Light heavyweight |
Kevin Michael Joseph Barry (born 10 October 1959 in Christchurch) is a noted New Zealand former boxer, boxing trainer, manager and occasional commentator. He is the son of noted boxing trainer Kevin Barry, Sr.
Amateur career
Kevin Barry's first international success was a bronze medal at the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games in the Light Heavyweight division.[1]
Barry gained considerable prominence when he participated in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles as a contestant in the Light Heavyweight division. He won through to the semi-final, where he faced future four-time world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield.
In a controversial decision, referee Gligorije Novicic of Yugoslavia disqualified a clearly dominant Holyfield for repeatedly hitting on the break. While Novicic yelled break during a Holyfield flurry of combinations, Barry went down.
As a result Barry was awarded the silver medal, although he was not permitted to contest the gold medal bout against Yugoslav Anton Josipović since he had been technically knocked out. After the games Barry was offered a large sum to fight Holyfield, but declined.[1]
Barry was the first boxer in 56 years to win a medal at the Olympic Games for New Zealand.
Olympic Results
- Defeated Don Smith (Trinidad and Tobago) 5-0
- Defeated Jonathan Kiriisa (Uganda) 3-2
- Defeated Jean-Paul Nanga (Cameroon) 4-1
- Defeated Evander Holyfield (United States) DQ 2
- Lost to Anton Josipović (Yugoslavia)
Professional career
Barry became a professional coach in 1990. He remains active in boxing as a trainer and manager. This Kevin Barry is not to be confused with the Australian heavyweight of the same name.
Training career
Barry remained involved in boxing and became a trainer. After New Zealand Heavyweight David Tua won bronze at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Barry helped persuade him to turn professional, managing Tua from 1992–2003 and acting as his trainer from 2001-3.
Under Barry's management Tua became a contender, unsuccessfully challenging heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in 2000. In addition Barry has a number of up and coming boxers under his guidance. Currently Kevin trains World Light Heavyweight Champion, Beibut Shumenov (Kazakhstan). Joseph Parker (New Zealand) & Izu Ugonoh World Kickboxing Champion (Poland) He also traines prominent business men, Las Vegas club owners, and Wall Street businessmen.
Barry is married to former New Zealand Olympic gymnast Tanya Moss. They have three children together, (Daughter: Jordyn, and twin sons Taylor and Mitchell). They reside in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has also been a frequent commentator on New Zealand boxing broadcasts, and is a prominent member of the New Zealand boxing community. He has been active in nearly all facets of boxing - from Olympic athlete to trainer, manager, promoter and television commentator.
Controversy
Kevin Barry managed boxer David Tua from 1992 to 2003, and also trained him from 2001. In 2003, Barry and financial manager Martin Pugh ended their business relationship with Tua in acrimonious circumstances.
References
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