27-year-old Miguel Sanchez is one of those regular people who enjoys creative pursuits. Whether it's making art or punching people in the face, creative pursuits help people deal with many of life's stresses. But they also teach creative people important lessons.
“Boxing has taught me how to be disciplined and focused,” Sanchez said, “so I can pursue my dreams.”
For some people, it's easy to pursue and indulge in a creative passion. For others, life presents obstacles and they must learn how to overcome them. For those who are determined to pursue their craft, whether it be to become the “King of Rio” in mixed martial arts or another adventure, life will be a challenge.
Sanchez hasn't had an easy road throughout his boxing career, having dealt with issues such as homelessness and improving himself throughout his career.
Miguel Sanchez biography
Sports has a funny way of infusing real life into stories, showing people the struggles athletes go through on a daily basis, from training to eating right. Miguel Sanchez has been battling adversity his whole life.
“When I was 14, I was involved in a lot of graffiti,” Sanchez says. “My only motivation was to make money.”
The resulting two-and-a-half-year sentence sent him down a dark path. After serving his sentence, the 27-year-old got a job as a letting agent, a job he enjoyed success in, but found the work unfulfilling as he wanted to pursue his passion for boxing.
He had no choice but to stay at a Salvation Army hospitality house in Tucson because he couldn't afford rent, but he's not the only one experiencing such problems: In 2023, roughly 20 out of every 10,000 Americans experienced some form of homelessness.
So he turned to lettings, which gave him the stability he needed – but it wasn't the same as chasing his boxing dreams.
One encounter changed Miguel Sanchez's life
Today, Miguel Sanchez is an up-and-coming boxer at Barry's Boxing and Gym, a local Las Vegas boxing club owned by legendary coach Pat Barry, who has trained champions like Clarence Means. He met Barry by chance, with the promise that he would one day become rich.
“I [the Gene Lewis Boxing Tournament] “I was in Tucson and I needed some help,” Sanchez said. “I would have been disqualified otherwise. [Pat] “I want you to be with me,” Barry said.
Though he didn't win the tournament, Sanchez gained more than just a coach – he gained a mentor and caring figure in his life.
“He drives me to work,” Sanchez said. “Barry brings good people to the gym.”
“He's one of my best students at the gym,” Barry said, “and he's always helping me set up the ring.”
Miguel Sanchez's future plans
One of the things Miguel Sanchez has said about his future is that he wants to be the first member with wealth.
The Tucson native also wants to use his wealth to open his own bar and grill in his hometown, and the blueprint and menu items are already set: His establishment will serve chicken wings and double as a nightclub at night.
“We would eat it whenever we went out,” Sanchez said. “We want to share Tucson culture with locals.”
Sanchez will also be donating 10 percent of his debut fight proceeds to the Salvation Army, which he hopes will help others struggling to get their lives back on track.
“There are times when you feel like giving up,” Sanchez said, “but don't give up. You can do anything, so just keep trying.”
