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After a seven-year amateur career, Reyes Manon Sosa is ready to go into the professional boxing ranks.
Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Reyes is the younger brother of long time world class contender Merqui Sosa.
He will be debuting professionally on 13 May, on the boxing card named “Redemption” to be held in the Mezzanine Hall of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
The card is presented by Borizteca Boxing, presided over by ex-boxer Saul Rios.
As an amateur, Sosa competed in events such as the Northern California Silver Gloves Boxing Tournament, sponsored by the Napa Sheriff’s Activities League and sanctioned by United States Amateur Boxing, Inc. and the 2015 edition of the Desert Showdown, the second biggest amateur tournament in the country, behind only the New York Golden Gloves.
Last year Sosa competed in a major Las Vegas amateur tournament, representing the Johnny Tocco’s Gym in Las Vegas, where he had the chance to work under the guidance of his brother Merqui Sosa, now a boxing trainer.
While Merqui had an extensive amateur career, where he excelled as a member of the Dominican Republic for over five years, Reyes compiled a modest 16-5 amateur record and will make his debut under the tutelage and management of Battle Tested Inc.
Nita Simpson, Battle Tested CEO, spoke about their acquisition. “Reyes is a full-blooded brother of Merqui Sosa,” she said. “Their real [sur]name is Manon Sosa. Apparently Merqui decided that Sosa -the mother’s maiden name- was an easier name to pronounce.
“Reyes should have more amateur fights and should have turned professional about two or three years ago, but his original trainer, James L. Buggs, passed away and it took time to adjust to a new trainer.
“He shuffled between gyms and trainers in Northern California and Nevada, including his brother in Las Vegas, and finally became comfortable in joining the professional rank with trainer Tony Hurz, out of Oakland, California.
“He has lots of natural ability and is a hard worker. He has a nice personality, he calls himself ‘Dandy’ outside the ring, but people will see that he is a warrior, like his brother once he is in the ring.”
Meanwhile, Saul Rios, of Borizteca Promotions, said, “It is an honor and pride that these high profile fighters start their career and put their trust in Borizteca. In this card, we have Adam and Hector Lopez Jr., the sons of that embattled and beloved Mexican warrior who was Hector ‘Torero’ Lopez.
“Also making their debut are Michel Williams of Las Vegas; Simon Torres, Kevin Joshua and Roberto Meza, from San Diego and Tijuana’s Antonio Christmas. All the Californian boxers come in with an extensive history as amateurs and are now making the leap to the difficult boxing profession”, Rios said.
The “Redemption” card is part of the World Class Boxing Series, produced and distributed by PAP Sports. The event will be taped for delayed telecast to Baja California and the United States via LATV Networks, and worldwide via Internet.
Tickets for the “Redemption” card are available at the venue. Doors open at 7:30 PM; First bout will start at 8: 15 PM.
