Returning home
Waldorf native Reed set for first 10-round bout
In a sense, when Waldorf native Mike “Yes Indeed” Reed enters the ring for his 10-round bout against Reyes Sanchez on Saturday evening at the MGM National Harbor in Prince George’s County, the unbeaten boxer will look to attain several firsts.
In addition to competing in his first match of the year, Reed (21-0), currently ranked fifth by the World Boxing Organization in the Super Lightweight (140-pound) division, will be fighting for the first time at the MGM National Harbor and he will be contesting his first scheduled 10-round and also be seeking to do so off a rare, four-month respite.
“Over the last two months, my training has really intensified,” said Reed, 24, who made his professional debut at Rosecroft Raceway in Prince George’s County, less than five miles from National Harbor. “It will be my first 10-rounder, but I’ve been training for a 12-rounder. Anytime they add more rounds to my fights, I add two more rounds for my training.”
Eight of Reed’s first nine fights were in Prince George’s County — seven at Rosecroft in Fort Washington and one at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro — and the other was in Washington, D.C. But his last two campaigns have taken him on the road to venues in New Jersey, New York, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and most recently, Omaha, Neb. His 2017 debut will finally be much closer to home.
“I’m really forward to fighting at MGM National Harbor and being close to home,” Reed said of a venue that is slated to hold upwards of 5,000 spectators for boxing matches. “They gave me 150 tickets for this fight and they were gone in
less than a week. I’m hoping to get some more because I expect at least 400 of my friends, family and fans to attend this fight.”
Reed began his career by winning four consecutive four-round bouts in 2013 then won seven consecutive matches scheduled for six rounds to extend his record to 11-0. He recorded knockouts in each of his two fights scheduled for eight rounds and has won 10 straight fights at that duration, of which only two actually went the distance.
Reed did not recall having a difficult time making the transition from four rounds to six and then from six rounds to eight and he does not envision the added two rounds on Saturday being an issue. His opponent Sanchez (26-9-2) has lost his last three bouts and the two have no common opponents on their career slate, but Reed expects to have more than one advantage.
“We haven’t fought anyone the same, but I know he’s going to be down a little, psychologically, having lost his last three fights,” Reed said. “I have seen a few of his fights. I have a lot of respect for him, but I think I have the advantage in skill and technique and my confidence is really high right now.”
Not only is Reed perfect in 21 career bouts, winning 12 by knockout and the other nine by unanimous decision and only one fight has been close. In his 12th career bout, Reed defeated Oscar Valenzuela by a unanimous decision in an eight-round fight at CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb. A glimpse at the judges scorecards revealed a 79-76, 77-75 and 77-75 sweep of the cards.
In his most recent fight, coincidentally last December 10 at the CenturyLink Center, Reed defeated Sidney Siqueira in an eight-round unanimous decision where the scores indicated Reed’s command of the fight, 8073, 79-74 and 79-74. But in many of his bouts, Reed hardly ponders the verdict of the judges.
“Most of the time you pretty much know how well you’re doing,” Reed said. “I always look to end the fight by a knockout, but if it goes the distance, I try to think about the scorecards. If I take care of business, I know that I’ll come out on top. I’m anxious to get back into the ring. It’s been a nice break from boxing, but now I get a chance to step back into the ring and stay close to home.”