Kevin Barry (boxer)

Kevin Michael Joseph Barry (born 10 October 1959 in Christchurch) is a New Zealand former boxer, boxing trainer, manager and occasional commentator. He is the son of noted boxing trainer Kevin Barry, Sr.

Kevin Barry's first international success was a bronze medal at the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games in the Light Heavyweight division.

Barry gained notoriety when he participated in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles as a contestant in the Light Heavyweight division. Against all odds he made his way to the semi-final, where he faced future four-time world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. Barry had received multiple warnings for trying to hold Holyfield and was deducted two points for holding and for repeatedly hitting Holyfield in the back of the head. When referee Gligorije Novicic yelled break during a Holyfield flurry of punches, Holyfield continued to punch Barry knocking him down. Referee Novicic disqualified Holyfield for hitting after the break. As Barry was knocked out by Holyfield's illegal punch in the semifinal; under IABA health regulation he was not allowed to box for 28 days and hence pulled out of the final against Yugoslav Anton Josipović.

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)

• Profile for Kevin Barry at the New Zealand Olympic Committee official website
• AP (12 August 1984). "Holyfield loses appeal, but gains bronze". Boca Raton News. p. 4D. Retrieved 30 January 2012. 

Barry became a professional coach in 1990. He remains active in boxing as a trainer and manager.

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 Barry trains World Light Heavyweight Champion, Beibut Shumenov (Kazakhstan), Joseph Parker (New Zealand) and Izu Ugonoh World Kickboxing Champion (Poland). He also trains prominent businessmen, 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: Jordy, 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.

Kevin Barry managed boxer David Tua from 1992 to 2003, and also trained him from 2001. In 2003, Barry and financial manager Martin Pugh parted with Tua resulting in a law suit.