Mike Reed: Young, gifted and a professional boxer

Mike Reed is a professional boxer, who was born in Washington, D.C., on January 12, 1993. Reed’s involvement in boxing began with the story of his father, trainer, and manager, Michael “Buck” Pinson. As a young teenager, Michael Pinson was involved in many neighborhood street fights. A family friend witnessed one of the fights, and brought him to Finley’s boxing gym in Washington, D.C., currently known as Nomis. The first time Pinson sparred in the gym, he outworked a boxer with 31 fights of amateur experience. He enjoyed the sparring, but not the conditioning aspect of his boxing training; therefore, he was unable to capitalize on his own boxing talent.

Reed comes from a very athletic family. He has four brothers, three older and one younger.

His brother, Tyrell Newton, had a successful six-year amateur boxing career, including an appearance in the finals of the Washington D.C. Golden Gloves. His brothers Victor Brown and Tommy Reid played football. Reed’s mother was a cheerleader and his uncles and grandfather trained in the boxing gym, but did not compete.

He lost his first four amateur fights before he decided to focus solely on boxing, and from that point on he won his next sixteen fights in a row. As an amateur boxer, Reed won the 2005 National Silver Gloves Championship, 2005 National Ringside World Championship, 2007 National Ringside Championships and 2009 Junior Olympic Nationals Championship. He was a 2010 U.S. Championship Nationals Silver Medalist, 2010 National PAL Bronze Medalist, 2011 National Golden Gloves Champion, 2011 U.S. Championships Bronze Medalist. Reed was a 2011 Olympic Trials Participant, but fell short of qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team in London. He won the 2012 Regional Golden Gloves Outstanding Boxer award. Reed has competed in Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Texas. His overall amateur record was 90-13.

Mike Reed decided to turn professional in 2013, rather than target the 2016 Olympic games. On March 2, 2013, Reed made his pro debut at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland. He defeated Kareem McFarland by TKO in the first round. Reed is a smaller boxer, but has skills necessary to fight well on the inside. His defensive skills, fast hands, and solid ring generalship help make him a well-rounded boxer.

Reed returns to the ring on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland, vs. Ramesis Gil (Santo Domingo, DR/8-6-5, with 5 KOs) in a 6 rd fight. Keystone Boxing will promote the boxing card on September 7.

What are you looking forward to on your September 7 fight?

To see my fans that are coming out to support me.

What are your goals between now and the next five years?

To get my degree in accounting, so that I will have something to fall back on. And to win a major belt.

What has been your favorite fight?

My last fight (June 13). I was very versatile in the ring, and put on a good performance and defense.

Besides boxing, what other sport are you into?

Football. My first passion is actually football, but my body build won’t let me play. I’m a little guy.

What do you like doing in your spare time?

I love bowling. I go once every other week. It’s a family event.

If you were not boxing, what would you be doing full time?

I would be a certified public accountant. I am striving in school to become an accountant.

What is your advice to youth who want to pursue a career in boxing?

You have to be disciplined. I wasn’t at first. And you also have to be consistent because it is the only way that you will progress.

How can people keep up with you?

They can follow me on Twitter @YesIndeed_Reed.