Knocking 'em out

     By Sean DeFrank
     View staff writer
      Pamela Barker's looks bring to mind Pamela Anderson Lee. But her skills bear a resemblance closer to Muhammad Ali.
      The Henderson resident sports a professional boxing record of 2-0 after a second-round technical knockout of Patricia Stickler on May 22 at Mandalay Bay, while fighting on the undercard of the Oscar De La Hoya-Oba Carr welterweight title bout.
      While Barker has quickly become a student of the sport, her introduction to boxing originated from a desire to stay in shape.
      Barker, 27, began training in Muay Thai kickboxing about four years ago as a way of exercise and self defense. However, after participating in some competitions and exhibitions, her interest in the sport developed to where she decided to pursue boxing about one year ago.
      Barker, a 1989 Basic High School graduate, continued working under her Muay Thai trainer and had her first fight on Oct. 22, a unanimous decision over Paula Faye in Recita, Calif. It wasn't until after her initial fight that Barker totally dedicated herself to boxing, and realized she was going to need a more experienced trainer if she was going to advance within the women's ranks.
      That decision helped create an unlikely partnership that Barker hopes will propel her to the top of women's boxing.
      Through Pete Eliades, owner of the Olympic Garden, which is one of Barker's sponsors and where she worked for about five years, Barker hooked up with Floyd Mayweather Sr., the Boxing Writers Association of America's 1998 Manager of the Year, who also trains his son Floyd Jr., the World Boxing Council super featherweight champion.
      Barker began training about three months ago with the older Mayweather, who moved to Las Vegas about one year ago to assist his son's career.
      With the 45-year-old Mayweather Sr., who had a professional boxing record of 28-6 from 1974 to 1990 as a welterweight, guiding the 5-foot-6, 117-pound Barker, she said she is prepared to put in the work and take the time necessary to become a champion.
      "I take it real serious," Barker said. "I want to be the best out there out of all the girls, pound-for-pound. I really do. And I know with Floyd and I as a team together, we can do that. We will do that."
      Barker had been fighting left-handed under her former trainer, but Mayweather switched her to fighting right-handed, which Barker said gives her greater flexibility and dexterity in the ring. A boxing fan most of her life, Barker said the sport is more difficult than kickboxing.
      "In kickboxing you get kicked in the knees, elbows, leg kicks," she said. "Everything is a weapon. But I still feel boxing is harder because you have to be faster. É You have to be ready to move."
      Barker said she prefers the defensive fighting style taught by Mayweather, which is also the same style of boxing he applies towards Mayweather Jr., who has fashioned a record of 21-0 since turning professional after earning a bronze medal in the 1996 Olympics.
      "That's what I want to be," she said. "That's what I'm going to be. What he is in the men's (ranks), that's what I'm going to be in the women's."
      While boxing has been a family affair for the Mayweathers, Barker has also involved her family in her career.
      Her 8-year-old son, Johnny, heads Barker's cheering section and also trains himself, working under the tutelage of Roger Mayweather, brother of Floyd Sr. and formerly the World Boxing Association junior lightweight and World Boxing Council junior welterweight champion.
      "(Johnny) goes to my fights and he loves it," Barker said. "After my (last) fight he was in tears and said, `Oh, it was so beautiful. You dropped her. It was such a beautiful right hand mom.' He's so supportive. He's my biggest fan."
      Barker said she intends to box for about five more years, although she said that could change depending on what the future holds.
      One thing that is certain is her dedication to the sport. She went to Big Bear, Calif., before her last fight and spent two two-week periods there training, which included chopping wood. She would also watch Mayweather Jr. work out during his training sessions to pick up pointers.
      Barker said the hardest part about the training was being away from her son.
      "I'm working hard to secure his future," she said. "Everything I do is for my son. That's why I'm working hard at it. I need to set that example for him that no matter what he does, if you pick something you love, you have to work hard at it."
      Barker said she respects the sport and has studied the history of boxing as well as its techniques. She said she especially enjoys studying the fighters from the early part of the century.
      "I really approach it in a scientific way," she said. "It's not about anger. It's not about hurting each other. É The science is to hit somebody without getting hit. And that's challenging. I've always been an adrenaline junkie."
      While Barker relishes the thrill of being in the ring, she does not enjoy the prospect of being punched in the face.
      Barker, who designs her boxing outfits along with many of her other clothes, said she very much wants to retain her feminine appeal.
      "That's why I have to be good, because I want to stay looking like a girl and looking good," she said. "I want to keep my nose in the middle of my face and keep my brain intact. That's why I have to be with someone who's good like Floyd."