Joel Iriarte Carries Forward the Bakersfield Torch Ignited by Mike Dallas Snr
In the sun-soaked town of Bakersfield, California, time seems to slow down, allowing the legacy of Mike Dallas Snr to resonate through the Bakersfield Police Activities League (PAL) gym. Here, Dallas Snr, not just a coach but a builder and father figure, impacted generations of fighters, leaving an indelible mark on those who crossed his path.
His son, professional boxer Mike Dallas Jnr, reminisces about his father's influence with a mix of pride and nostalgia. "My dad started boxing because his father was a fighter," Dallas Jnr shared. "I came up the same way, watching my dad train and learning from him. The PAL program hasn’t been the same since he passed."
Dallas Snr, a former professional fighter turned coach, transformed the PAL gym into a powerhouse that clinched national tournaments. Despite his success, tragedy struck swiftly when he was diagnosed with leukemia. Even in the face of illness, Dallas Snr remained a steadfast presence in his son's corner, offering guidance and support.
Following his father's passing, Dallas Jnr navigated a tumultuous professional boxing career, grappling with personal loss and emotional turmoil. Despite setbacks, the enduring legacy of his father lives on, particularly through aspiring talent like Joel Iriarte, a promising junior lightweight with Golden Boy Promotions.
Iriarte, who trained at the same gym under Dallas Snr's guidance, embodies the essence of Bakersfield boxing tradition. "Joel is talented—really talented," Dallas Jnr praised. "It’s like my dad’s legacy lives on through him."
As Dallas Jnr imparts his father's teachings to the next generation, the impact of Mike Dallas Snr transcends mere victories, resonating in the lives he touched and the values he instilled. Through fighters like Iriarte, the torch of the Dallas family's boxing heritage burns bright, ensuring that the story of Mike Dallas Snr endures as a beacon of inspiration and mentorship in the Bakersfield community.
"He wasn’t just a trainer," Iriarte reflected. "He was a mentor, a pillar of the community. His legacy is still shaping fighters today."
