HomeWHOThe Story of Cleto Reyes Boxing Gloves: A Legacy of Champions

The Story of Cleto Reyes Boxing Gloves: A Legacy of Champions

Cleto Reyes boxing gloves have cemented their status as the glove of choice for legendary fighters such as Muhammad Ali, Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, and Oscar de la Hoya. From the beginnings of a small workshop in Mexico City to becoming a globally recognized brand, Cleto Reyes has had to fight above its weight to secure its place in the fight game.

A Humble Beginning

Cleto Reyes Castro, the founder of Cleto Reyes, didn’t have an easy start in life. He began earning an income at the age of 12 and worked in a workshop sewing baseball gloves. Homeless at the time, Cleto slept in the very workshop where he honed his creative talent. When the workshop closed for the day, Cleto experimented with sewing leather on the machines, developing his skills.

Cleto’s love for boxing blossomed when he was 16. He was drawn to a nearby arena, where he witnessed the rivalry of top Mexican fighters Joe Conde, Rodolfo Casanova, and Juan Zurita. In 1938, he even stepped into the ring for a fight but decided to pursue a career with boxing gloves instead of fighting himself.

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The Birth of Cleto Reyes Boxing Gloves

After his bout, Cleto used his leather workshop expertise to mend the gloves he had worn during the fight. But he didn’t stop there. Determined to create an improved version, Cleto spent years testing and perfecting his own boxing gloves. In 1945, Cleto Reyes gloves made their debut in a world championship fight with the approval of the local boxing commission.

The Growth of the Cleto Reyes Brand

By the early 1950s, Cleto had established his own workshop and started selling his gloves to Mexican fighters. Trainers who traveled to America for fights spread the word about Cleto Reyes gloves, leading to their informal distribution throughout the United States. Cleto’s son, Alberto Reyes, joined the business, bringing his entrepreneurial skills to fuel the company’s growth.

Alberto searched for new leather suppliers, introduced improvements to the gloves, and registered Cleto Reyes as a trademark. Unfortunately, Cleto passed away in 1999, but his creative passion lives on through Cleto Reyes boxing gloves. Today, Cleto Reyes gloves are used by some of the greatest boxers of all time, including Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Manny Pacquiao, and Anthony Joshua.

The Puncher’s Glove

Cleto Reyes Boxing Gloves are renowned for their hand craftsmanship, superior quality, and unmatched reliability. The gloves are assembled using traditional methods with premium leather and horsehair padding, making them a favorite among the world’s top fighters. The Reyes glove is often referred to as the “puncher’s glove” due to its lightweight feel, slimmer profile, and inner layer of horsehair padding that tends to flatten and harden over the course of a fight.

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Champions Who Choose Cleto Reyes

Many legendary boxers have chosen Cleto Reyes gloves for their fights, solidifying the brand’s reputation as the go-to choice for champions.

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, also known as Cassius Clay, is undeniably one of the greatest boxers of all time. In his final fights, Ali made Cleto Reyes gloves famous. Despite being sponsored by another brand, Ali insisted on wearing Cleto Reyes gloves, ripping off the tape that covered the logo once in the ring. For Ali, Cleto Reyes gloves were the only gloves worthy of his bouts.

Manny Pacquiao

Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao favors Cleto Reyes gloves for their puncher’s feel. Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, attests that Manny “doesn’t feel comfortable in anything else.” Despite a dispute over contract requirements, Pacquiao has consistently worn his beloved Cleto Reyes gloves in his fights.

Juan Manuel Márquez

Mexican boxing icon Juan Manuel Márquez is inseparable from his Cleto Reyes gloves. Throughout his career, Marquez fought with Cleto Reyes gloves, culminating in a memorable victory over Manny Pacquiao. In their final bout, Marquez knocked Pacquiao out with his trusty Cleto Reyes gloves.

Mike Tyson

Iron Mike Tyson, the youngest heavyweight champion in history, was known for his fierce fighting style and unwavering commitment to Cleto Reyes gloves. Despite his controversial actions in and out of the ring, Tyson remained loyal to the brand throughout his career.

Lennox Lewis

Lennox Lewis, considered one of the best heavyweight boxers of his generation, relied on Cleto Reyes gloves for his most anticipated fights. In his clash with Mike Tyson, both fighters donned Cleto Reyes gloves. Lewis emerged victorious, solidifying his legacy in boxing history.

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George Foreman

George Foreman, a heavyweight champion who famously fought Muhammad Ali in “The Rumble in the Jungle,” continued to wear Cleto Reyes gloves even in his later years. At the age of 45, Foreman entered an eliminator fight against Shannon Briggs with Cleto Reyes gloves, reigniting his fighting spirit.

Sugar Ray Leonard

Sugar Ray Leonard, an Olympic gold medalist and undefeated professional boxer, fought epic battles against the likes of Thomas Hearns, Roberto Durán, and Marvin Hagler. During one of his encounters with Durán, both fighters chose to wear Cleto Reyes gloves.

Evander Holyfield

Evander Holyfield, the only boxer to ever obtain the undisputed championship in two weight classes, relied on Cleto Reyes gloves throughout his career. Holyfield’s fights against Riddick Bowe, including the controversial “Fan Man” fight, featured both fighters wearing Cleto Reyes gloves.

Cleto Reyes gloves have undoubtedly earned their rich history in the boxing world. With their craftsmanship, quality, and a legacy of champions, Cleto Reyes continues to be the glove of choice for fighters who strive for greatness.

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