New Interview with “King” Reyes–Fighting THIS Friday!
Many boxers consider themselves “gym rats” who put in countless hours and endless days while honing their craft and sharpening their skills in the sweet science.
Southern California welterweight Artemio Reyes Jr. (11-1, 10 KOs) is one of these so-called gym rats. The Colton slugger trains with Ruben Castanon and co-manager Charlie Perez out of the tough Capital Punishment Boxing Club located in Riverside. But this boxer, nicknamed “The King,” is not only a professional prizefighter. The hard-working Reyes is also a college scholar, a restaurant manager and the main breadwinner in his family. Reyes’ current kingdom is a busy one, to say the least. And his story of discipline and dedication is a remarkable one.
THIS Friday night, June 24 at the Doubletree Ontario, you can catch Reyes Jr. in action as he takes on Baton Rouge’s Chris Gray on the “Locked N’ Loaded” card presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions. June has been a banner month for this fighter on the rise. He is a “triple threat” of a young man who just graduated from Riverside Community College with an associate of arts (AA) degree in accounting as he continues to man the El Taquito restaurant in Colton, carefully balancing schoolbooks and boxing along with plates of the cafe’s famous chile verde!
I first caught up with the humble 24-year-old last month at a celebrity golf 
tournament hosted by his new promoter, Ken Thompson, who has a brimming stable including Timothy Bradley, Yonnhy Perez, Efrain, Esquivias, Jose Reynoso, Josesito Lopez, Mauricio Herrera, among others. The Hall of Fame veteran shared his enthusiasm over this knockout artist, whom he signed last fall as one of the “Magnificent Seven” group of talented prospects. Reyes’ upcoming showdown will be on the undercard of the main event featuring Artemio’s Capital Punishment stablemate and brand new Thompson signee Jose Reynoso, who will be facing Esteban Almaraz in Friday’s event.
“Without question he will be a world champion,” his effusive SoCal promoter tells me. “Artemio is a FABULOUS fighter who’s very exciting to watch. He’s got the talent, the height, the strength–and the desire to win!”
Part of Reyes’ desire to win stems from a family tragedy that the boxer and his close-knit family have been forced to deal with. In 2008, Artemio’s father was in a horrible car crash that left the Reyes patriarch in a coma. His son, just 21 at the time, stepped up and turned pro, becoming the sole provider for his beloved family.
“Fighting 4 Pops” has become both his inspiration and motto as he succeeds in college while moving up in the boxing ranks as well. In his final semester at the Riverside college, the pugilist earned a knockout 4.0 grade point average (GPA). His KO performances in the ring have also earned him a huge following at his live fights with energetic busloads of family, friends and fans all coming out in support of the former amateur standout.
Now the three-year pro has just one dent on his ledger–an early loss (in just his second pro fight) to Mike Dallas Jr. back in July of 2008. This Friday he will be facing off against an experienced opponent in Chris “Classy” Gray. The Louisiana welterweight has fought Erislandy Lara, Ishe Smith, Ricardo Williams, David Estrada, Carson Jones, Gabriel Rosado and others during his 13-15 career.
“The King” of pain has scored an aggressive ten knockouts in his 11 victories and this weekend’s bout should provide plenty of fireworks inside the squared circle. The tall welter will have a hectic schedule this summer, carrying a full load both in the gym and at his restaurant before he hits the books again this fall when he continues on to Cal State University, San Bernardino to earn his bachelor’s degree.
In the sport of boxing, bad behavior and “thug life” hijinks usually get all the attention and all the ink. For me, it’s refreshing–and rare–to tell the story of Artemio Reyes Jr. He is a Mexican warrior–and role model–on a mission who deserves a shout out for already achieving certain goals.
All boxers must sacrifice something to get to the top. In “King” Reyes’ case, he’s sacrificed everything to make his dreams–and the dreams of his family–come true. Juggling a lot of plates in the process, Artemio carries on with an intense focus in honoring his Pops. When he’s alone in the ring staring down his foe, there are two others with him in his mind, a duo who lend their own special support. On the waistband of his satin trunks are “4 Pops” on the front and “Fatima” (his mother’s name) on the back of his shorts. La familia’s got his back.
Appreciative of all the unconditional love support his family has given him, the KO king wants to give back to them 100% and makes it all work out somehow.
How does he balance everything and handle all the pressure while staying on the right path to success?
In our chat, hear what the well-spoken and thoughtful boxer says about his father’s heartbreaking condition, how he’s had to abandon his social life, and which sport was his first true passion!
Meet fighter, college grad, restauranteur–and devoted son–Artemio Reyes Jr.
Michele Chong: Artemio, there was talk of you possibly fighting last month but now it will be June 24…
Artemio Reyes: Yes, I’m fighting June 24 at the Ontario Doubletree and I’m really looking forward to it! Everything’s been going good; everything’s been healing up quickly and we will be at 100%. Training is going good. I’m working hard with Ruben in the gym preparing for a six-round fight.
MC: How do you feel about being part of Thompson Boxing’s historic signing of the “Magnificent Seven”?
AR: It feels good; it’s an accomplishment on my part. And I thank Ken Thompson for having that interest in me to be a potential world champion. It’s exciting. I’m looking forward to Friday and putting on a good show for everyone!
MC: You starting boxing at a rather late age, right?
AR: I did. I started boxing at age 18 and I turned pro at 21. I played football and wanted to go into college football but they were all big and I was a real skinny kid. (Laughs) So then I got into boxing.
MC: Artemio, congratulations on your AA degree! So how do you balance everything going on in your life with school, boxing and El Taquito?
AR: Thank you for the congrats! I have a set schedule for everything where I get into “school mode,” “work mode,” and “fight mode” in each area of work. When I’m doing one thing I just primarily focus only on that for the time being until I go to the other area of work. Also, my mom Fatima and sister Helen help much as much as possible whenever I need them. Sometimes if a supply is missing and I’m in training, my sister would go get it for me! So both of them play a pivotal role in what I do on a daily basis. Plus, I pretty much have no social life since I’m constantly working on everything. I used to hang out with friends on my leisure time, but now I just focus on the restaurant or school work and boxing.
MC: Is your father’s accident your #1 motivation for all you do?
AR: His accident and his condition IS the #1 motivation for me! Primarily because he left a family who was depending on him…And when he was left bedridden, I had to step up and take control of my family. My mom, my sister, and nephew Eden all look to me for strength and support since I am the “man of the family” now so I push myself to succeed for them. In addition, my dad wanted me to become a champ in the pro ranks and I want to bring a belt home for him too. My family is small, with the three I mentioned and a couple aunts and uncles who show love and support to, I work hard to provide for my family’s future needs. Especially my mom–since she is alone right now without her partner I try to give her the best life possible by sacrificing myself to excel.
MC: In your pro boxing career, I see your only loss (early in your career) is to Mike Dallas Jr. Your Thompson Boxing stablemate Jose Lopez upset him earlier this year; another Thompson fighter, Mauricio Herrrera, fights him this Friday. Do you want a rematch with Dallas?
AR: Of course I do! That’s one of the fights I want, along with my team, in order to avenge my loss. I would say a couple eight-round fights to get adjusted to the eight-round fight and then seek the fight with him. I’m pretty sure ESPN would love to put that fight on the air live!
MC: In thinking about your future, who else would you like to face?
AR: Victor Ortiz maybe…I would love to fight any 140-147 pounders!
MC: Thanks again, Artemio and have fun this Friday night!
AR: Thanks!
Will “The King” add another KO to his record this Friday?
Team Reyes says he’s ready.
Catching up with his co-manager Charlie Perez, the Capital Punishment owner raves about this young man and his future.
“He’s right on track at this time of his career, especially since we hooked up with Thompson Boxing Promotions he’s getting right fights to help build him up and he’s fighting often at this pace,” Riverside’s Perez assesses. “By the end of 2012 he should have 20 plus fights; we see big things in his future!”
With Junior’s aspirations in the ring going strong, his camp also is impressed with his efforts both in and out of the ring.
“His biggest strengths inside the ring are his commitment to training and staying in condition–plus his one-punch knock out power with his relentless attack!” Perez tells me. “If he doesn’t put you out with one punch, the pressure he puts on his opponents just wears them down…then out!”
But it’s his demeanor outside the ropes that further impresses his team.
“As a person I think I speak for Ruben as well as myself when I say that he’s a pleasure to work with,” his co-manager says. “He’s a humble and very respectful person. But he trains like he fights: hard and relentless.”
Becoming a world champ is the one goal that pushes Reyes Jr. toward excellence. It is a wish and desire he wants more than anything to fulfill–for his family and for his father, who remains in a coma.
“He has a great desire to win I think he’s dedicated this time of his life to do whatever it takes to become a world champion,” Perez elaborates. “It’s a promise he’s made to his dad and family.”
With each and every bout, “King” Reyes inches one step closer to winning a shot at a title.
And with his burning desire to succeed, there is no doubt that Artemio Reyes Jr. will continue to make his Pops, Artemio Reyes Sr., proud.
Thompson Boxing Promotions
“Locked N’ Loaded”
Friday, June 24
Doubletree Hotel, Ontario
Doors open: 6:30 p.m.
First bell: 7:30 p.m.
For more info: 714-935-0900. Tickets for “Locked N’ Loaded” start at $30.
Photos by Michele Chong/ Ring photos by Maria Hedrick