Miguel Sanchez, 27, is one of many regular people with a creative outlet. Whether it’s creating art or punching others in the face, it helps them to deal with life’s many stresses. But these outlets also teach important lessons to the creatives.
“Boxing teaches me how to be disciplined and lock in,” says Sanchez. “I’m following my dreams as a result.”
For some people, it’s easy to follow their creative passions and become enmeshed in them. Others have various obstacles in their lives, teaching them to overcome them. Whether it’s becoming the “King of Rio” in MMA or other ventures, life will challenge those who strongly pursue their crafts.
Sanchez hasn’t had the easiest journey throughout his boxing career. He’s dealt with problems such as homelessness, leaving him to better himself throughout his boxing career.
Miguel Sanchez’s Backstory
Sports has a funny way of injecting real life into its narrative. It can help people see the daily struggles an athlete goes through, from training to eating right. Miguel Sanchez has dealt with adversity throughout his life.
“When I was 14 years old, I was involved in a lot of graffiti,” says Sanchez. “My only motive was to make money.”
That led to a two-and-a-half-year sentence, which led him to a dark path. The 27-year-old came across a leasing agent job after his time, where he was successful. However, the job wasn’t fulfilling, for he wanted to follow through with his passion for boxing.
He had to rely on going to the Salvation Army Hospitality House of Tucson because of difficulties paying rent. He wasn’t the only person experiencing such problems, though. In 2023, nearly 20 out of 10,000 American citizens experienced some form of homelessness.
So he turned to becoming a leasing agent, which provided him with needed stability in his life. However, it wasn’t the same as chasing his boxing dream.
How One Encounter Changed Miguel Sanchez’s Life
Now, Miguel Sanchez is an up-and-coming boxer at Barry’s Boxing and Gym, a local boxing club in Las Vegas. The gym is owned by legendary coach, Pat Barry, who’s trained champions such as Clarence Means. How he met Barry was by random chance… and a promise to be rich one day.
“I was in [the Gene Lewis Boxing Tournament] in Tucson and needed someone in my corner,” says Sanchez. “Otherwise, I was going to be disqualified. That’s when I saw [Pat] Barry and said, “I need you in my corner.”
Although he didn’t win the tournament, Sanchez did gain a coach who would become more than his trainer. Additionally, he also gained a mentor and caring person in his life.
“He drives me to work,” says Sanchez. “Barry brings good people to his gym.”
“He’s one of the best students in my gym,” says Barry. “He’s always helping set up the ring.”
Future Plans For Miguel Sanchez
One thing Miguel Sanchez talks about regarding his future is being the first member with wealth.
The Tucson native also hopes to use that wealth to open his own bar and grill in his hometown, with blueprints and menu items already planned. His establishment would serve chicken wings and also turn into a nightclub at night.
“I used to have them when I went out,” says Sanchez. “It was the culture in Tucson that I hope to share with my community.”
He also plans to donate 10% of his fight proceeds to the Salvation Army in his debut fight. Sanchez hopes it can serve other people struggling to get their lives up and running.
“There are times where you’ll throw in the towel,” says Sanchez. “Don’t give up. Keep pushing because anything’s possible.”
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