WBC Latino Champ Fighting February 24
Artemio “King” Reyes Jr. is ready to rock the ring on February 24. This will be the boxer’s first bout since his biggest career win to date when he scored an upset win over Olympian Javier Molina in October 2011.
Now four months later, Reyes (14-1, 11 KOs) will be lacing up against Victor Hugo Correa (14-4, 9 KOs) in defense of his WBC Latino Welterweight title. This contest will be the main event on the “New Blood” at the Thompson Boxing Promotions show at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario. And this will be his very first ten rounder. “My next fight is scheduled for 10 rounds, so we are training extra hard to be strong for all 10 rounds!” he confirms.
The Southern California slugger has always carried a full schedule and it looks like he will continue to juggle a lot of plates while balancing school, work and boxing. He is the manager of El Taquito in Colton, a college student and of course, a pro boxer.
This past weekend, the 25-year-old was a special guest at a meet-and-greet hosted by promoter and business executive Ken Thompson. At the gathering, fans had a chance to meet the lanky welterweight who had his WBC Latin American Welterweight belt with him. The event was “fun and enjoyable” the champ relays to me about the Sunday bash–a rare break in a stringent schedule.
Many of the fight fans knew of his story of Artemio fighting for his father, who remains in a coma after a car accident. Reyes continues his life mission of “Fighting 4 Pops” while he trains in Riverside with Capital Punishment’s Ruben Castanon and Charlie Perez.
With his laser-like focus and discipline, Reyes is looking forward to Friday, February 24 and getting back in the ring after his AC victory, which was a thrilling 2011 highlight for him. “Yeah, it was a great experience out there in Atlantic City,” he told me, reminiscing about the dramatic victory. “I put on a great show and came out victorious in an exciting fight.”
And people are now asking for autographs on photos from this big win.
“Seeing pics (of the fight) makes me realize that my hard work paid off when it needed to. I was the underdog going in and I was being looked at as an ‘easy win’ for Molina, but we knew otherwise,” Junior nods. “We earned the victory and the joy and excitement is visible in those pics, and also with Ruben in another pic with his tearful eyes happy we got what we worked hard for–and that was a victory against a former Olympian.”
Not so surprising, the diligent pug was back in the gym and work immediately.
“I just couldn’t stay away for long,” he laughs. A self-described “gym rat,” he always stays in shape whether he has a fight coming up or not. Reyes says training and sparring has been going well.
Now he has a date locked in and coming up soon on the 24th.
His promoter Ken Thompson says this prizefighter has a bright future. “We’re excited to have Artemio as the main event,” an effusive Thomspon mentions to me. “He’s a tremendous talent who can go all the way to the top.”
Speaking with Team Reyes, both trainers and managers Castanon and Perez heap high praise on their champ, who’s been sparring with stablemate Jose Reynoso, Jhon Ortega, Dashon Johnson and Josh Conley.
Jose and Artemio are good friends outside of the ring but the camp says it’s all business inside the ropes.
“Everyone spars each other in our gym,” Ruben and Charlie explain, adding with a chuckle, “Yes, they’re friends but when they spar they’re not so ‘friendly'”!
I ask them what they think makes Reyes championship caliber. “He’s a special fighter with a will to win and a desire to achieve like I’ve never seen,” the men remark. Veterans of the game for over 25 years, they say it’s rare to find someone like Artemio, who is known for his intense work ethic.
In his spare time away from the gym, the restaurant or school, Reyes says he’s still dedicated to the sweet science, which he watches religiously on TV.
“I have my TiVo full of boxing so that’s pretty much all I watch,” the puncher says with a laugh.
During the meet-and-greet fiesta with the fans, the WBC titlist signed posters, fight cards, hats and even autographed body parts with Reyes “inking” an arm or two at the request of female admirers as you’ll see in these exclusive snapshots!
He’ll also have his fair share of support at his upcoming clash. Team Reyes is becoming well known for their spirited troops wearing “King” Reyes T-shirts, headbands and hats while swinging noisemakers, blowing horns and more. They literally load up busloads of family, friends and fans riding together to catch their favorite warrior in action.
I asked Artemio what the camp has planned for this month’s fight. He smiles while answering: “My mom is coming up with something; she’s great at planning it all. She’s always looking for new ideas–and she’ll be ready for the fight too!”
His mother Fatima and sister Helen have provided the boxer with a solid support system while the family continues to care for Artemio Reyes Sr.
On February 24, his son plans on coming home to his beloved father’s bedside to share the shiny gold and green WBC strap with his Pops.
“On February 25 I will still own the belt,” Artemio Jr. says confidently as he continued to greet the steady stream of well wishers before he headed home to hit the books. Yep, he had homework and studying to do before hitting the gym.
Catch this hard hitter in action later this month as the headliner of the “New Blood” card.
Tickets: (714) 935-0900
Photos by Michele Chong
