Kali Reis (KO Mequinonoag) boxer

Kali Reis (born August 24, 1986) is an American professional boxer. She is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBA female Light welterweight title since 2020; the IBO female light welterweight title since May 2021; the WBO female light welterweight title since November 2021; and previously the WBC female middleweight title in 2016. She also challenged Cecilia Brækhus for the undisputed female welterweight title in 2018.Kali Reis was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on August 24, 1986 and is the youngest of five children. Reis and her siblings were raised by their mother in East Providence, Rhode Island. Reis is half-Native and half-Cape Verdean, descending from Cherokee, Nipmuc, and Seaconke Wampanoag tribes. As a child, she attended and competed in powwows regularly. The name 'Mequinonoag', was bestowed on Reis as her Native name. This name was given by her mother, the medicine woman of our Seaconke Wampanoag tribe, and means 'may feathers', or 'many talents'. Reis expresses pride in her Native ancestry, and carries this name into the boxing ring with her for every fight. Reis was an athletic child and often played rougher sports with the neighborhood boys. She also was involved in her school's bands/marching bands and color guard, as well as playing high school volleyball. Since junior year of high school she was active in basketball and softball leagues. She started boxing at age 14 out of Manfredo's Gym in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and was coached by a friend of her mother's, Domingo Talldog. Reis later went to school for criminology and also learned how to repair motorcycles at MTTI. Reis went on to continue her training at Peter Manfredo's Sr. gym to advance her boxing career. Before going pro, Reis had a successful amateur career, securing the 2007 Rocky Marciano Championship, the 2007 NYC Golden Gloves, and the 2006 New England 154 Championship.Along with her identity as a professional boxer and work as an actor, former bouncer and security guard, mentor, motivational speaker and qualified motorcycle mechanic, Reis has become a strong advocate for Native rights. Reis is an active supporter of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMWIG) movement, continuously striving to utilize her knowledge and status to educate those around her. Reis combines her love of boxing and support for Native women by teaching young community members about their abilities to fight , whether it be physically or vocally, against the targeting of Native youth. She has used her platform to elevate Native voices and educate her community, hosting various events including free self-defense classes and virtual conversations about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women epidemic. In 2012, Kali was involved in a serious motorcycle accident sidelined her for the remainder of the boxing season. However, she returned in 2013 and fought for the WIBA title in November of that year. Reis gained further attention in the sport after the match. On November 12, 2014 Reis won the IBA crown defeating Teresa Perozzi in Bermuda. Reis also coaches boxing for youth and works as a trainer. In April 2016, Reis won her first major world title in New Zealand against Maricela Cornejo for the vacant WBC World Middleweight title.Boxing record for Kali Reis from BoxRec