This slick and powerful young southpaw and onetime US Olympic hopeful was snapped up by Top Rank about eleven months ago. So far they have matched him pretty tough for his relative inexperience and shown confidence in his progression. He made his TR debut last October, facing 10-10 Osnel Charles on the undercard of Glen Tapia vs. Donatas Bondorovas, and that was a late sub for Juan Montiel (who boasts an iffy-looking 5-6-3 record that doesn't quite do him justice; Anthony Crolla just barely squeaked by a grueling eight-rounder with Montiel as late sub for the aging legend Erik Morales). He is now 6-0 (3) under TR, with four of those opponents being fellow prospects with a respectable collective victory margin, their records totaling 37-5-4. Reed went 90-13 in the amateurs, claiming bronze at the United States nationals, and was set to compete in the Olympic trials for the US team heading to Rio in 2016 when he made the decision to go pro. His reasoning was that with the abolition of headgear in the amateurs, plus the level of competition at the Olympic trials and internationally stepping beyond domestic tourneys, he may as well get paid for the risk. If that sounds like uncommonly savvy thinking for a prizefighter, that's because Reed is a smart guy. A math whiz, he is pursuing a degree in accounting while chasing his world title dreams. All this with the approval of his coach and father, who owns the gym in which former heavyweight prospect Seth Mitchell (a friend and training partner of Reed's) trained. He uses a loose Philly shell while coming forward, playing with fire to bait opponents so he can retaliate with his quick hands. There's little substance to his jab, and it often collects rust in his toolbox (used most frequently in a doubled-up throwaway fashion to set up a prodding left cross on the chest when he feels the need to create more space to work). His go-to maneuver is a lead right hook, then a quick lean-aside to get under his opponent's blows and spring-load an overhand left to counter their counter. He is also unafraid to bump and grind on the inside and work the body, at which he is fairly adept for a novice (considering body punching isn't a big part of the amateur game where Reed has spent ¾ of his time in the ring). There's a bit of Adrien Broner in him, and indeed he cites The Problem as being a longtime friend and mentor...though his all-time idol is Diego Corrales. Given his trajectory I'd be surprised if Top Rank weren't placing him on TV or PPV undercards in the very near future, inching his way toward contention by moving from regional prospects onto legitimate top-40 world rated opposition. I'm curious to see how the poised 22 year old handles the increased pressure...yes indeed. :think Mike Reed vs. Kareem McFarland: [yt]_HAXELEGMkM[/yt] Mike Reed vs. Oscar Valenzuela: [yt]BhJyvxKvQPA[/yt] Mike Reed vs. Edgar Soto: [yt]r0SGTj9OYwU[/yt]
Reed is co-trained by Andre Hunter, best known as head coach for Mayhem Mitchell. (who still trains with Reed AFAIK, and hasn't officially retired)
