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One night in 1938, Cleto Reyes He left the ring with a loss as an amateur in tow, but with an idea that would not only change his life and that of his family, but would revolutionize boxing and allow him to “be in the corner” with world champions like Julio Cesar Chavez, Muhammad Ali, Manny Pacquiao and other figures.
The original idea was to ask for a rematch. To do this, Cleto Reyes would use his knowledge to develop Leather articles and thus fix the gloves with the ones he had lost. However, plans changed when the amateur and entrepreneurial boxer began to take note of the recommendations of other fighters and coaches to improve his gloves.
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Armed with the patience of a ‘ring chess player’, Cleto Reyes met all the characteristics that a boxing glove should have and created a brand that is still valid 86 years after its foundation.
On the occasion of the Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez fight against Jaime Munguía —from this Saturday, May 4, in Las Vegas—, this is the story of the Cleto Reyes brand, which just turned 86 on April 25.
When was Cleto Reyes invented? Alberto, son of the founder tells the story
Back in 1938, Cleto Reyes made the gloves by hand, that is, he made them wide open. “At that time, he did not think about a brand and as he delivered them, the boxers and trainers gave him instructions (to improve his design),” he recalled, in 2015, Alberto, son of Cleto Reyeswho passed away in January 2019.
According to Alberto, it took his father six years to adjust his glove model to the specifications of weight, measurements and padding. All these characteristics are important, since they help avoid injuries to the hands, the main ‘working tools’ of a boxer.
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After fine-tuning the details, in 1945, Cleto Reyes obtained the approval of the Boxing Commission from the then Federal District and thus began his journey through the rings and world championship fights. The brand experienced its first championship fight when the second Mexican champion in history, Juan Zurita was knocked out by Ike Williams.
This is how the Cleto Reyes glove brandwhich by 1965 was already distributed in the United States and other countries thanks to the representative in Los Angeles, California.
Muhammad Ali demanded his Cleto Reyes gloves before fighting Leon Spinks
40 years after Cleto Reyes left the ring with his defeat, in September 1978, Muhammad Ali, the “greatest boxer in history”, threatened to cancel his fight against Leon Spinks.
Days before getting into the ring for his rematch against Leon Spinks, Muhammad Ali threatened not to fight if he didn’t have some Mexican gloves Cleto Reyes, the “knockers”, since their design favors fighters with strong and fast punches. The threat was made and the promoter of Cassius Clay, real name of Muhammad Alihad a signed contract with the Everlast brand.
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In the end, Ali’s wish was achieved thanks to Norman Drakudthe representative and distributor of Cleto Reyes in the United States, who knew Angelo Dundee, trainer of Muhammad Ali and other legendary boxers such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Ultiminio Ramos, Jimmy Ellis, among others.
“In the 1960s, the quality of the product allowed champions to demand to wear the gloves and take them to fights in different cities around the world. They were our ambassadors. This has translated into a passion to work, it has become an obsession to say ‘I make the best gloves,'” said Alberto Reyes Pérez.
Where are Cleto Reyes gloves made?
The Kings have a special mission every time they make gloves. “The philosophy we have to work is to make the gloves and other products as if they were for ourselves,” said Alberto, who highlights that the foam rubber and bristle filling, in addition to the artisanal manufacturing are some of its advantages when comparing the Cleto Reyes gloves with other brands.
The brand Cleto Reyes produces about 25 thousand pairs of gloves a year in its plants located in Ecatepec and Toluca, in the State of Mexico, where more than 100 people work.
However, the firm has expanded its business. Currently they are also in charge of the production of bags, pears, gauntlets, champion belts, rings and all the equipment necessary to practice boxing.
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What boxers have Cleto Reyes used?
The long history of Mexican firm It would not be possible if it were not for the world champions who have worn it in their most important fights.
Among the list of boxers who have used the Cleto Reyes brand are figures such as:
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