Has Bad Boy Turned Good?
Manny Reyes, Jr. is Back with a Different Point of View
Will It Work Against MMA Star Raphael Assuncao?
Miami, FL. Miami's Manny Reyes, Jr., 32, is making a comeback.
Not in the ring, because he has been very active there. The comeback is in his head.
"I have been frustrated for many reasons in my life", he said, "and I have in the past disparaged the fighter and the other camp in my pre-fight preparation. That kind of behavior is behind me now. My trainer Steve Shepherd, my dad and I all agree, and I know it's a cliché--I will say all I have to say now in the ring, the way it should be."
For many in the fight world, point karate, mixed martial arts and kickboxing, Manny was known for his bravado. It earned him few friends, and he says, "Sure, most people, even in my hometown, came to see me lose." But that did not happen often.
Manny's record is impressive. He started training with his dad at age 4 and by age 5 was competing as a mini-peewee. By his estimates, he has fought in more than 750 tournaments and has actually won more than 700 matches as a Black Belt. Along the way he captured 15 World Titles, including NASKA, NBL, ISKA, USKA, KRANE and more. He also won three NASKA National titles. His wins include victories over Raymond Daniels, Jason Tankson Bourelly, Pedro Xavier, Tony Young, Kevin Thompson and Preston Clements.
He transitioned from point karate into kickboxing, fighting in Lords of the Ring bouts in Miami and then in December 2003 entered the King of the Cage competition. "I made enemies in mixed martial arts as well", he said. "He has, however, achieved 8 wins against one loss.
Manny has also fought in Chuck Norris' World Combat League where he is undefeated.
Despite this impressive record, many have felt that Manny "was a legend in his own mind."
"It's hard to outlive bad words", said Steve Shepherd, former PKA World Champion and trainer for Manny in preparation for his kickboxing bouts. "This is a great time for Manny to 'take the test', so to speak. "From all reports, Raphael Assuncao is a very tough competitor in all ways and will likely bring the fight to Manny. It will be a tough test, and if he passes, his critics will take a different perspective. I believe Manny is ready to pass that test!"
"Raphael Assuncao has disappointed 11 opponents so far in his mixed martial arts fights", reported Knuckle Up Fitness' Chris Stolzman. "He also won the 2004 National Shidokan title and was runner up in 2005. All I can say is, if this is a test for Reyes, we have some clichés of our own: he better study hard. When it comes to fighting, Raphael is an open book and this could be a final chapter for Reyes as a fighter."
Shepherd responded. " If Manny Reyes 'hits his groove', this will be an easy fight for him. Everybody has a plan until they get hit really hard, and Manny can hit."
