By: Hans Themistode
Eddy Reynoso’s name often sticks out near the top of the coaching ranks.
Currently, the Many-Time Coach of the Year has led several boxers, including Canelo Alvarez and Oscar Valdez, to glorious championships. In addition to being the head coach for Alvarez and Valdez, Reynoso’s stables feature undefeated heavyweight contender Frank Sanchez and former unified heavyweights, Andy Ruiz Jr.
Considering the fighters Reynoso had under his wing, the current heavyweight contender, Vergil Ortiz Jr., was intrigued by the idea of joining forces. During part of a test run, Ortiz Jr parted ways with celebrity trainer Robert Garcia and spent about a full month in San Diego, California, near Reynoso’s gym.
In the end, Ortiz Jr chose not to stick with Reynoso and instead decided to strengthen his boxing partnership with his father. The 23-year-old has also brought in Manny Robles as his co-coach. While the high-ranked candidate admitted that he was initially intrigued by their possible partnership, he quickly realized it wasn’t a good idea.
Ortiz Jr told a group of reporters when asked if he was interested in training with Reynoso. “I was at that gym for three or four weeks. It just proves my point that my dad has always been my main coach. We are the only ones in the gym for the most part. We don’t get to see too much of Eddy. It was at the end of the year where it was a holiday and I couldn’t attend either. It’s like a very dead period for boxing. It was just really bad timing. So we were forced to go somewhere else.”
Like Ortiz Jr., Ryan Garcia, a 135-pound ex-temporary pro, recently decided to end a nearly four-year partnership with Reynoso. Despite five consecutive wins in injury time, Garcia still grumbles about the lack of training time with Reynoso. Now, the brilliant 135-pound athlete will train under the guidance of Joe Goossen.
News of the decisions of both Garcia and Ortiz Jr. heavily supported by Oscar De La Hoya, who motivates both fighters. From the point of view of the Golden Boy Promotion lead, Alvarez is Reynoso’s focus and, at times, just the focus.
“When Virgil’s thought of meeting Eddy Reynoso, I liked the idea because he had the knowledge and to train alongside a great world champion like Canelo would be great. But the only problem is time. Eddy Reynoso has many world champions, including the best. If Canelo told Eddy ‘hey let’s go on vacation’, he’d drop everything and he’d go because they were best friends. It wouldn’t be fair to Virgil or those fighting. Now we see with Ryan, he goes with Joe Goossen as a great choice. It’s time. Eddy Reynoso only has time for Canelo, that’s the bottom line. ”
