One Inspiration Remains for “King” Reyes

West Coast goes East Coast as Artemio Reyes Jr. (13-1, 11 KOs) is set to square off against 2008 Olympian Javier Molina (9-0, 4 KOs) on ShoBox’s October 28 telecast from Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Team Reyes held a media workout yesterday at Santa Fe Springs gym to showcase the results of “King” Reyes’ disciplined training camp as the welterweight readies for his eight-round war.

You can certainly call it a “Socal Showdown” as these two Southern California fighters head to Bally’s in Atlantic City. Although Brandon “Flawless” Gonzales vs. Ossie Duran shares the bill on this Goossen Tutor card, the Molina–Reyes battle threatens to steal the show.

Arriving at the open workout, I first had to maneuver through a “tricky” entrance making my way to the boxing gym where trainer Danny Zamora coaches all of his fighters. Reyes’ own gym is Capital Punishment in Riverside where he trains with Ruben Castanon, Charlie Perez and Mike Flores. On this day, the team held court at this particular gym in closer proximity to the Los Angeles media. And this Santa Fe Springs gym was in the process of being all decked out for the Halloween season. Walking past bloody handprints on glass walls, scary images, and devilish faces looking back at me, I surveyed the mayhem while I continued upstairs toward the boxing ring.

In the ring was Reyes. While there was nothing spooky about his work on the canvas, his punches were sure “frightening” as they landed with ferocity against the mitts of head trainer Castanon and assistant trainer Flores. The hard-hitting 25-year-old from Colton will be fighting in the biggest bout of his career thus far. Signed by Thompson Boxing Promotions, promoter Ken Thompson and general manager/matchmaker Alex Camponovo were also in attendance in support of their rising star.

After hitting the mitts, Junior moved on to the heavybag and speed bag before settling in to face the media.

In facing a former Olympian, Reyes may be considered the “underdog” against the unbeaten 21-year-old Javier “El Intocable” Molina.

But Reyes Jr. remains undaunted in his task at hand.

He began boxing at the relatively late age of 18 to escape the gangbanger lifestyle that surrounded him. Reyes’ first amateur bout was at age 19 and since then, he’s never looked back. With a laser-like focus, this young man chooses to only look ahead as he balances boxing, college and managing a restaurant, El Taquito in the city of Colton.

One reason for the intense focus and unwavering ambition is on the waistband of his boxing trunks: 4 Pops.

While Reyes Jr. has a tattoo of two boxing gloves inked on his inner arm, there’s someone always close to his heart that spurs him to continue in his quest for world titles. That man is Artemio Reyes Sr. The boxer’s father was involved in a tragic accident that has left him in a coma for the past three years. Artemio, just 21 at the time, instantly stepped into the role as the sole provider for his family. As a professional prizefighter, Reyes Jr. knows he needs to succeed in the fight game to ensure his family’s well-being.

Sounds like a lot of pressure, right?

If you’re Reyes Jr., he says he doesn’t feel the pressure or obligation.

“No pressure in this fight,” matchmaker Alex Camponovo agrees. “Artemio’s gonna go in there and have fun.”

How does Artemio deal with all the hot plates he juggles in and off of the canvas?

He has told me in past interviews he “compartmentalizes” all aspects in his busy and at-times hectic life, always thinking of his dad–and always focusing on getting the job done. The puncher also gives credit to a great support system in his family, friends and fans. But it is his Pops that continues to inspire the boxer.

In August of this year, Junior won a WBC Latino Welterweight belt. After the victory, the boxer returned home and made a beeline for his father’s bedside. Sharing the victory with his father (who is still in a comatose state) was a proud and bittersweet moment for the humble young warrior.

But it’s moments like these that propel Reyes Jr. to keep fighting, to keep battling, and to keep striving for the top.

During the Q&A session yesterday, Artemio also mentioned that it was his father’s birthday, October 20.

While his dad obviously won’t be in Atlantic City to see his only son fight, Reyes Jr. will have over 20 supporters traveling to the east coast to catch the action on October 28.

And his promoter believes this is only the beginning for the young Mexican gladiator.

“Everything will start with this fight,” Ken Thompson told me while we watched his fighter trounce the heavybag. “This is the birth of a champion. Artemio’s got what it takes. And he’s got it all: he’s fast, powerful, exciting and dangerous. Put it all together and no one’s gonna be in front of him for long!”

Reyes has been sparring with fellow champion and Thompson stablemate Mauricio Herrera, Joshua Conley and others and appeared lean and mean with just one week to go before the clash.

Any prediction?

“Artemio will go in strong,” comments his promoter. “He’ll feel him out but eventually break him down.”

Scheduled for eight rounds, this promises to be great action as the classic boxer in Molina goes toe to toe versus the boxer-puncher in Reyes.

This duo of brave gladiators promise to bring it in the ring.

Who will win this anticipated “SoCal Showdown”?

Come Friday, October 28 we will find out who rules court inside the ropes.

Video Interview with Artemio Reyes: