Artemio “King” Reyes (13-1, 11 KOs) is set to make his Showtime “ShoBox: The New Generation” debut in just over a week when he goes toe-to-toe against 2008 U.S. Olympian Javier Molina (9-0, 4 KOs) of Commerce, CA. The WBC Latino welterweight champion will battle it out against Molina in an 8-round super welterweight bout as the co-feature on the October 28 fight card presented by Goossen Tutor Promotions. Reyes held an open workout session yesterday, and you can find a collection of photos and quotes from the event here.
Ruben Castanon (Trainer):
“We had a very good training camp. Artemio is looking very strong. To win this fight we are going to draw upon Artemio’s strength. We are prepared to pressure Javier Molina all the way to the end of the fight. Artemio will break Molina down. The fight won’t go all the way; Molina may last into the 5th or 6th round but it won’t go further than that. Then after that we’re taking over.”
“Artemio has worked with a couple of sparring partners. We’ve worked with Mauricio Herrera and a national champion and amateur standout Joshua Corley.
We looked for speed and movement with our sparring partners.”
“I believe that Artemio will benefit from Molina’s past hand issues. Before Molina’s injuries he was a good fighter with a hard punch. He was knocking everyone out.
This is a good opportunity for us and we’re going to go through that door of opportunity and shut it.”
Ken Thompson (Promoter):
“The world is going to get a chance to see the birth of a champion on October 28. Everything will start with this fight. Thompson Boxing Promotions recognizes that he is a future champion and the WBC sees it too.”
Artemio Reyes (WBC Latino welterweight champion):
HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU FOUND OUT THAT YOU WERE GOING TO FIGHT AS A CO-FEATURE TELEVISED ON SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION?
“Initially I was shocked that I would have the opportunity to fight on a national level. The shock turned into excitement!”
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING FIGHT AGAINST JAVIER MOLINA:
“I’m just anxious now. I want to go and fight. The last week leading up to the fight is always the longest. I am excited I have the opportunity to fight on a national platform.”
“I have been training for 6 weeks and before that I also went to the gym to keep conditioned. I’m what is known as a gym rat.”
“I am prepared to pressure him throughout the entire fight but I don’t see it going the distance. I believe that it will only go to round 5 or 6.”
WHAT REYES KNOWS ABOUT JAVIER MOLINA:
“I don’t know much about Javier Molina except that I watched his last fight and noticed that he had a habit of dropping his hands and that I fought his brother Oscar in the amateurs.”
“I have seen his angles and am aware of his speed and power.”
ABOUT MOLINA’S AMATEUR EXPERIENCE:
“Javier Molina’s extensive amateur experience doesn’t make a difference at the professional level. In professional boxing the hits are more profound because of the smaller gloves and also you have no headgear.”
ON MOLINA’S THOUGHTS ON REYES:
“Javier Molina might be taking me lightly because of my performance against his stablemate Mike Dallas, Jr. He should know that I am a different fighter now under new tutelage.”
REYES’ ADVANTAGE IN THIS FIGHT:
“I believe that my advantage in this fight will be my determination and my boxing ability. I gotta close the gap and wear him down and bring pressure to Molina’s body.”
ABOUT HIS ONE LOSS ON HIS RECORD:
“I have one loss on my record and that was to Mike Dallas, Jr. and I learned valuable lessons from that. I learned that I needed better trainers and that I need to work on my speed. I feel that Mike Dallas, Jr. has more speed than Javier Molina.’
“I am aware that I am considered the underdog but that’s okay because to me that just means that I am working hard for my money and trying even harder to make it to the top.”
ON HIS DIET REGIMENT:
“I eat a low fat/high protein diet 4 or 5 times a day that consists of chicken or fish with vegetables and plenty of water. I also consume a drink called V Essentials that has 0 calories, 0 fat but is infused with vitamins.”
ON HIS TRAINING REGIMENT:
“I wake up in time to do my road work at 6:00am. When I return I take a nap and then resume a cross fit training that really focuses on building my strength. I take a nap during the afternoon and then resume training at Capitol Punishment Gym located in Riverside, California.”
“My training varies each day because of my work and school schedule.”
ABOUT HIS MORNING RUN:
“I am good to go in the morning. The hardest part is waking up but once I’m there I’m good to go.”
DO YOU HAVE A FOLLOWING:
“I have nearly 20 people that include some family members that are heading out to the east coast to support me and cheer me on. This is the furthest they have traveled to support me. Some are even traveling from Arizona and Mexico. I have a strong support system.”
WHO HE ADMIRES: “Juan Manuel Marquez. I admire that he is a technical fighter.”
FINAL MESSAGE TO JAVIER MOLINA: “Be ready Molina! It’s BOMBA time!!!”
