Interview with the WBC Latino Champion
Welterweight Artemio Reyes Jr. is not your typical flashy, mouthy, egotistical boxer. Humble and hardworking, the college graduate and professional prizefighter keeps it real by taking care of business in the ring. While the Colton fighter (13-1, 11 KOs) is calm and quiet outside the ropes, the pugilist enters “beast mode” once on the canvas. But he’s certainly not one to “toot” his own horn.
He doesn’t need to. His growing legion of fans were more than happy to toot their own horns for their favorite boxer. Literally. Toting gold “Team Reyes” horns, Artemio’s huge fan base made their spirited presence known as Reyes, whose nickname is “The King,” won his first championship title after his second-round KO victory last Friday night against Miguel Angel Munguia (20-22-1, 18 KOs) in the co-feature of Thompson Boxing Promotions’ “New Blood” card. He now owns the WBC Latino Welterweight championship belt.
Before the fights began, I saw a bunch of Reyes family members and friends begin to stream into the fight and I stopped to check out their team spirit. The early arrivals included Artemio’s mother, Helen. The proud mom and Team Reyes crew were excited to witness Junior’s first shot at a belt. I know his loyal corp of fans always travel in style–in large custom buses with fight posters of their “KO King” showcased on the sides of the vehicles. They sometimes wave flags or wear T-shirts, headbands or hats in unison. On this night, I couldn’t help but notice the pack’s new golden pipes matching their black and gold team shirts. And if you weren’t lucky enough to see this merry band of supporters arrive, you heard them throughout the night blowing into their golden trumpets heralding “The King.”
In his bout versus Munguia, held at the outdoor Omega Products International in Corona, California, Reyes Jr. outclassed his veteran foe from Mexico City. Originally slated to face Cristian Favela, Artemio was more than ready to claim victory. He went to work–not wasting any time, needing less than six minutes to get the stoppage–and grab that new title.
With his aggressive style, Reyes battered Munguia, scoring knockdowns in both the first and second stanzas. Relentless in his attack, the power-punching “King” kept up the full-body assault until referee Jerry Cantu called a halt to the action at 2:58 in the second round.
With the stoppage, “King” Reyes jumped up on the ring post exulting in triumph. Not far behind was his mother, Fatima, who joined him in victory with her “Team Reyes” horn held high in triumph. As her son donned a large sombrero, the flashbulbs popped as the champ was crowned.
Toward the end of the night, the beaming new titlist came over to say goodbye to his promoter, Thompson Boxing President Ken Thompson. Earlier in the evening, the Southland promoter had told me his thoughts on the welterweight. Reyes, training with Ruben Castanon and co-manager Charlie Perez out of Riverside’s Capital Punishment Boxing Club, has a lone blemish on his record from an early loss to Mike Dallas Jr.
“This is a big night for Artemio, who is a fabulous fighter,” Thompson told me before the bouts got underway. “He’s fighting for a WBC belt. So this will be very exciting for him and for us too.”
As the knockout artist celebrated with everyone, he had his new green and gold hardware perched high on his right shoulder. The new Latin American champion expressed how excited he was to have his dreams coming true. “It’s surreal. This is what the hard work is about,” he nodded as he glanced down at the shiny emblem. “This is what I work so hard for; this is what I promised my father. And I will continue to work hard to keep that promise.”
For those of you not familiar with Artemio’s story, his father has been in a coma since 2008 after a tragic car accident that left Reyes Sr. in a vegetative state. “Fighting 4 Pops” is Junior’s life statement, and words showcased on his trunks. With his mom’s name “Fatima” also placed prominently on his trunks, he keeps his focus in honoring his family through hard work.
For the stalwart warrior, this means celebrating with his close friends and familia–and then waking up early the very next day to manage his family’s El Taquito restaurant in Colton.
No champagne guzzling, limo riding, wild nightclub hijinks for this level-headed boxer. He knows success through one way only–through hard work, discipline, long hours–and no ego. After being awarded the WBC strap, Reyes Jr. boarded one of the Team Reyes buses parked down the streets bordering the Omega venue for the drive home.
And surprisingly (or not so surprising to those who know him), just a scant few hours after hoisting his brand new championship belt, the confident slugger traded in his boxing gloves and robe…for a cooking mitt and apron! Yep, by 8 a.m. the next morning–fresh off his victory–Reyes Jr. was back to the grind, nose to the grindstone, while taking care of business at the Mexican cafe.
And for the San Bernardino banger, this routine of his is one he’s happy to employ. In previous interviews, the 24-year-old has told me his main goal in life is to take care of his mom, sister Helen and nephew Eden–and to also fulfill the legacy his father wanted and hoped for his namesake.
Artemio Reyes Sr. believed his son could be a champion. Junior holds that faith within him, a fire–and desire–strengthened with each and every win. He repeated a few times to me that the moment was “surreal” for him, that winning a belt is a dream come true.
This rising star plans on continuing on this path toward many more future world titles. Catching up with “The King,” hear Artemio’s thoughts on his knockout win, who he wants to face next, and of the bittersweet and emotional moment sharing the victory with his comatose father.
Michele Chong: Congratulations on your win, Junior! Did your quick stoppage of Munguia surprise you?
Artemio Reyes: To an extent it did because I was thinking we were going to fight for eight rounds. When the ref waved the fight I couldn’t believe it and I said to myself, “I did it. I won a title!” It was almost surreal.
MC: Thinking ahead and later on down the line, who would be your future “dream opponents,” if any?
AR: I would love the opportunity to fight any of the champions out there and I feel that the fans would love a fight with (Marcos) Maidana or (Erik) Morales since we have similar styles in that we come forward to engage.
MC: Speaking of your fans, their support is amazing. There are “King Reyes” buses, flags and last Friday night there were horns! Who is behind this big fan base of yours in keeping it going–and growing?
AR: My mom is behind it all. It’s her ideas and her promotion that bring about more fans in addition to my extended family from Arizona and Mexico. She is always looking to try new ideas of promoting my fights and making Team Reyes heard in the building, so she thought of getting horns for this fight! I am truly grateful for having her to help out with the promotion since I am constantly training and it is very hard for me to promote myself.
MC: With this huge group of supporters, how did you all celebrate after your win?
AR: After every fight my mom, aunts, and uncles prepare food so that after the fight when everyone comes back from the fight people can eat, celebrate, and have a good time.
MC: I know winning a belt has been a goal of yours and a way to honor your father too.
AR: Yes. The bus ride home was a time to reflect on what I had accomplished and it was very surreal. I brought home a belt for my dad, which was his dream. And as soon as I came home I went to his bed and told him, “I did it. Pops. I DID IT! We got a belt. I got it, man!” It was a very special moment for me and my family.
MC: You do a great job of balancing a lot of roles. So did you go back to work at El Taquito yet? (Laughs)
AR: Yes! I did the very next morning, which was Saturday. I was up at 8 a.m. doing the normal Saturday errands for El Taquito. I won the belt then it was back to my normal work of taking care of the restaurant. I went to get the inventory that I was unable to do on Thursday and Friday (which was the weigh-in and fight night). Then I went to take care of the supplies that were needed. I never realized it before when I was younger, but managing a restaurant is very time consuming because there is always something that is needed whether it be change, food, and/or supplies.
MC: Somehow I knew you’d go to work at the restaurant early the next morning!
AR: (Laughs) With the restaurant, its an everyday thing I could never really rest from that…except on fight nights! (Laughs)
MC: Well I think this is really just the beginning for you. Congrats again on your win, Junior. I hope you don’t mind me calling you that but I always hear everyone screaming that at the fights. (Laughs)
AR: Thank you, Michele! I appreciate you taking the time to cover my career. And I don’t mind you calling me that, I’m already used to hearing it from everyone since I was little. (Laughs)
MC: Okay, “Junior”! (Laughs) In closing, any message you’d like to send to all your fans?
AR: I am truly grateful for all the support I am receiving from everyone which makes me want to continue to work hard.
Working hard to fulfill his father’s wishes, one of his dreams has now become real. “The King” has a new jewel in his crown with his WBC Latin American championship title.
Livin’ the dream and living for his father, Artemio Reyes Jr. is already a true champ.
Photos by Michele Chong/ Ring photos by Marlene Marquez