The “King” is WBC Latino Welter Champ
And the beat goes on…
And the knockouts continue for Artemio “King” Reyes Jr. (15-1, 12 KOs), who stopped his Mexico City challenger Victor Hugo Correa (14-5, 9 KOs) at 2:51 in the opening round, as the headliner on the “New Blood” attraction taking place last Friday evening at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario.
Promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions, the SoCal fighter was the hometown favorite who was scheduled to fight his first ten-rounder–and his first battle since upsetting 2008 Olympian Javier Molina last October in Atlantic City.
Turns out Reyes needed less than three minutes to take care of business. Scoring three quick knockdowns over his overmatched and overweight opponent, referee Pat Russell stepped in to end the bout after the fourth KD. Nicknamed “Magnifico,” Correa proved to be less than his ring name claims during this night versus “King” Reyes. Artemio trains with Ruben Castañon and Charlie Perez out of Riverside’s Capital Punishment Boxing Club, and with this efficient win the tall welterweight continues his rise to the top.
“What did you think of your opponent’s weight issue?” I inquired, catching up with Artemio a day after his match. Correa came in at 156 to Reyes’ right-on-the-money 147.
“On the weight issue, I took it as he didn’t prepare as hard as I did or didn’t take the fight seriously. He showed a lack of professionalism for not coming in at the contract weight that was agreed upon weeks before the fight,” Reyes tells me. “Aside from that I was still ready to fight no matter what weight he came in because we prepared extremely hard for this 10-round fight.”
Artemio is a big fan favorite whose story has captured the attention of boxing aficionados around the Southland and beyond. He is a dutiful son, a serious college student and a hard-working manager of El Taquito in Colton. His journey in boxing is dedicated to his father, who remains comatose after a 2008 car accident. “Fighting 4 Pops” is not only his focus in the fight game, it is Junior’s life mission as well. On the front of his waistband is: 4 POPS, to honor his father. On the backside of his trunks is: FATIMA, to honor his mother.
And it is his mom that is his biggest cheerleader as she gathers up the spirited troops to watch Artemio take care of business inside the squared circle.
Fatima and Team Reyes always make the fight nights even more rockin’ as she has become known for her trademark accessories and props the camp brings to each and every fight with their favorite “King.”
Before the matches began, I ran into a few Reyes fans as they began to enter the venue. His pretty girlfriend Analizia was decked out in a special shirt and had two young fans in tow who also had Reyes headbands and large plastic whistles ready to go. And I have to say Fatima really outdid herself this time. The newest item for the group were handcrafted metal drum kits all bearing the likeness of “King” Reyes. His mom and steadfast and loyal supporter was wearing a denim jacket specially decorated in tribute to her son. She was also proudly toting a colorful banner proclaiming: “The King is Back!”
I went out with Ana to see the huge busload of people stepping out of a Team Reyes bus. Loaded down with their tin drums, noisemakers, horns, headbands, banners and more, the clan was excited as the countdown till the main event began.
You’ve heard of “Raider Nation”? Meet “REYES NATION”!
While this tribe of fans practiced their drums in unison before the showdown, the anticipation and build up leading to the main event grew. Finally, Junior entered the building donning a large sombrero as his own personal drumline pounded away.
And the pre-fight ceremonies definitely lasted longer than the actual bout which Reyes ended in less than three minutes. Banging away on the metal drums, their boxing hero banged away at the body and head of his foe Victor Hugo Correa, who had no answers.
After the weekend win, I wanted to hear Junior’s answers on the knockdowns and the knockout called.
“What surprised me more was as soon as the bell rang, he began to circle the ring and it seemed like he didn’t want to engage,” Reyes replies. “I thought he would’ve came forward knowing he had a weight advantage over me and was going to try to tire me out with his weight. After the first two knockdowns I knew I had him and it was only a matter of time before I caught him clean again.
“The ref let it continue after the third knockdown which surprised me, however I stayed calm and continued to close the gap. The fourth knockdown I landed some clean blows that drew blood from his nose and left him laying down for quite some time. I wanted a longer fight to show I have improved but I’ll take a KO also.”
With the knockout win, his fans and drummers went wild in celebration.
“Did your mom surprise you with the tin drums (with your face on them!), the banner and everything else?” I asked the boxer.
“I knew she was getting drums because she was getting them ready every time I came home from the gym. I knew that along with her and my family they were going to create a ‘ruckus’ there,” he laughs. “The thing that surprised me was the banner coming out of the tunnel! I didn’t know about that but it was very exciting to see it walking out. My mom is always thinking of ideas to make every fight different in terms of team attire and noise, and I think this was by far the BEST one. We packed that house!”
“Congratulations on your victory,” I tell the contender.
“Thank you for taking the time to do a story on me, Michele!” the always-humble slugger answers.
With this newest victory, Artemio Reyes Jr. keeps his crown as his promoter Ken Thompson, matchmaker Alex Camponovo and Capital Punishment team lay claim to future title shots.
“I will let my team and promoters handle what comes next,” Reyes offers, in regards to future plans. “I will continue to prepare hard for the next fight that will be lined up for me.”
And you know wherever the “King” goes, his loyal and energetic fans will surely follow! The Reyes crew is a fun perk of the live shows not to be missed.
AND THE BEAT GOES ON AS THE KNOCKOUTS CONTINUE FOR TEAM REYES!
Photos by Michele Chong/ Ring photos by Marlene Marquez
