It’s not even summer and the heat in here is stifling. A cool
breeze that occasionally blows through the open windows is the only relief you
feel. The sound of a young fist punching the bag echos throughout the no-frills
gym. A giant tire and a sledgehammer is how you condition. A punching bag taped
up from years of young fists pounding away on it hangs in a corner. An “old school” ring with nothing but four
corners and a bell stands in the center. Shelves with dozens of old boxing
trophies and pictures of current and former students proudly hang on the walls.
And in the center, is the man who started it all.
Herberto “Beto” Carr, a Mercedes native beams with pride as he
talks about how he coaches local young men and women to become fighters. Most
go for lessons in self-defense, others for a work out, and a privileged few,
not only strive to, but become champions.
One of the best-known alumni of Beto’s Gym is Mercedes’ own,
Tomas Barrientes. Barrientes went on to win numerous local fights and
eventually become an IBA Light Welterweight champion.
Carr’s love of boxing began in 1951. A 19-year old boy enlisted
in the U.S. Army. It was here that he trained and fell in love with the sport.
After being honorably discharged and the recipient of a Purple Heart, Carr
decided to share his skills with the local youngsters of his hometown.
In 1978, Beto’s Boxing Team was born in his
backyard. Since then, his team has
bounced around, even taking residence in the Retama for a few years after a
fire tore through their building. For the last two years, the team has
practiced in a warehouse on 434 S. Ohio Avenue.
“We’re not here to make
money,” said Carr,. “We charge a small fee of $25 a month that we use to buy
equipment and things for the club. If a kid doesn’t have money, well that’s ok
too. We just want to get him or her in here.”
Over the years, Carr has worked with hundreds of youth from
Mercedes and surrounding areas. Each year, he takes his best boxers to compete
in amateur tournaments around the country. Most of the time, at his own expense
or with the help of local sponsors.
Today, boys and girls wanting to learn from the best go to
Beto’s every afternoon. The number of attendees can vary from day to day, but
the lessons and traditions instilled in them do not. It’s not just boxing
skills that kids learn when they walk into the gym. Beto and his coaches,
including his son Stanley, strive to instill discipline, confidence, and most
importantly, safety. They are not only molding young boxers, but men and women
with confidence and discipline. The first rule they learn; to greet and shake
the hands of everyone in the room as they enter. With this simple rule, the
concept of unity is engraved in their minds.
It’s not just his love for the sport, but Carr’s desire to work
with local kids that keeps him going. “Even if we have just two kids in here,
that’s all I need,” he said. “If they’re willing to work and train, I’ll take
them.”
Carr’s has also worked as a member of the Chief of Officials for
USA Boxing, the governing body for amateur boxing. With these tasks, it’s easy
to ask when will he hang up the gloves. My guess is not anytime soon.
