Kali Reis

Kali Reis
Reis in 2024
Born (1986-08-24) August 24, 1986 (age 38)[1][2]
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Other namesK.O. Mequinonoag[3]
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights27
Wins19
Wins by KO5
Losses7
Draws1

Kali Reis (born August 24, 1986) is an American professional boxer and actress. She is a former world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBC female middleweight title in 2016 and the WBA, WBO, and IBO female light welterweight titles between 2020 and 2022. She also challenged Cecilia Brækhus for the undisputed female welterweight title in 2018.

In 2021, Reis made her acting debut as the star of the American thriller film Catch the Fair One. For her performance as a boxer endeavoring to rescue her missing sister, she was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.[4][5] She has since starred in the mystery series True Detective: Night Country (2024).[6]

Early life, family and education

Reis was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on August 24, 1986,[3][1][2][7][8] the youngest of five children.[9] She and her siblings were raised by their mother in East Providence. [9][10] She has Cape Verdean heritage,[11][12][13] and is a member of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe.[9][14][15] She has incorporated the name Mequinonoag, given to her by her mother, which she translates as "many feathers" or "many talents", into her boxing nickname, "K.O. Mequinonoag".[9][16]

Reis was an athletic child and often played rougher sports with the neighborhood boys.[9] She participated in her junior high and high school's marching bands and color guards and competed in high school volleyball, basketball, and softball.[9] Reis started boxing at age 14 at Manfredo's Gym in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She was also coached at home by a local Native American boxer who was a friend of her mother.[9][17]

Reis later attended school for criminology, aiming to be a corrections officer for juveniles.[18][19] She also learned how to repair motorcycles at MTTI.[10] She continued her training at Manfredos Gym and Big Six Boxing Academy in Providence.[9]

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.[9] While beginning her boxing career, she also worked in nightclub security. During this time, she sued the city after being attacked by a police officer.[11]

Professional boxing career

In 2012, Reis was involved in a serious motorcycle accident that sidelined her for the remainder of the boxing season.[17] However, she returned in 2013 and fought for the WIBA title in November of that year.[3] Reis gained further attention in the sport after the match.[17] On November 12, 2014, Reis won the IBA crown defeating Teresa Perozzi in Bermuda.[3][10] Reis also coaches boxing for youth and works as a trainer.[17] In April 2016, Reis won her first major world title in New Zealand against Maricela Cornejo for the vacant WBC World Middleweight title.

HBO broadcast its first women's bout, between Cecilia Brækhus and Reis, on May 5, 2018, which Brækhus won.[20][21]

Reis won a total of 19 fights during her career, 5 by knockout.[22]

Acting career

Reis became involved in the movie Catch the Fair One after filmmaker Josef Kubota Wladyka discovered Reis's advocacy for the MMIWG movement and asked if she would collaborate as a co-writer and lead actress on a film about that subject.[23] Catch the Fair One premiered in June 2021 at the Tribeca Film Festival.[24] The film and Reis's debut performance received critical acclaim.

Reis was cast in Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire's 2023 film Asphalt City (originally titled Black Flies, adapted from the 2008 novel of the same name by Shannon Burke), starring Sean Penn, Tye Sheridan, and Katherine Waterston.[25][26]

In June 2022, Reis was announced as the co-lead of True Detective: Night Country, the fourth season of HBO's anthology crime series. Reis starred alongside Jodie Foster as a detective investigating the disappearance of eight men from an Alaskan research station and that event's possible connection to the earlier murder of a young woman, an Iñupiaq activist.[25][27][16]

Accolades

For her role in Catch the Fair One, Reis won the Jury Award for Best Actress at the 2021 Newport Beach Film Festival.[28] She was also nominated for Best Female Lead at the 37th Independent Spirit Awards.[29] In 2024, Reis became the first Native American woman nominated for a Primetime Emmy for acting; Reis was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her work in True Detective.[30][31][32]

In February 2022, Reis was honored for her achievements as an athlete and for mentoring local youth by being inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletic Hall of Fame.[33] That same year, she also received the "Misty Upham Award" at the Red National International Film Festival and was honored with a key to the City of East Providence.[34][35] On March 28, 2024, a panel of Rhode Island House of Representatives recognized Reis with the Community Hero Award for her advocacy and support of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls.[35][36] The award was inscribed: "She needed a hero, so she became one."[37]

Personal life

Reis identifies as two-spirit, and has been in relationships with both women and men.[11] She is married to Brian Cohen, a retired professional boxer.[38][39]

She is an active supporter of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) movement.[40][41][16]

Professional boxing record

27 fights 19 wins 7 losses
By knockout 5 0
By decision 13 7
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
27 Win 19–7–1 Jessica Camara SD 10 November 19, 2021 SNHU Arena, Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S. Retained WBA and IBO female light welterweight titles;
Won vacant WBO light welterweight title
26 Win 18–7–1 Diana Prazak UD 10 August 20, 2021 Sycuan Casino, El Cajon, California, U.S. Retained WBA female light welterweight title;
Won vacant IBO female light welterweight title
25 Win 17–7–1 Kandi Wyatt UD 10 November 6, 2020 Marriott Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. Won vacant WBA female light welterweight title
24 Win 16–7–1 Patricia Juarez UD 6 August 29, 2019 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
23 Win 15–7–1 Szilvia Szabados TKO 6 (6) 1:30 October 18, 2018 Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC, U.S.
22 Win 14–7–1 Paty Ramirez UD 8 June 30, 2018 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
21 Loss 13–7–1 Cecilia Brækhus UD 10 May 5, 2018 StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S. For WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and IBO female welterweight titles
20 Win 13–6–1 Tiffany Woodard UD 6 November 25, 2017 Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC, US
19 Win 12–6–1 Sydney LeBlanc UD 6 October 19, 2017 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, US
18 Win 11–6–1 Ashleigh Curry MD 6 May 11, 2017 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
17 Loss 10–6–1 Christina Hammer UD 10 November 5, 2016 Ballhaus Forum, Munich, Germany Lost WBC female middleweight title;
For WBO female middleweight title
16 Win 10–5–1 Althea Saunders UD 8 July 15, 2016 Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
15 Win 9–5–1 Maricela Cornejo SD 10 April 16, 2016 The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand Won vacant WBC female middleweight title
14 Win 8–5–1 Victoria Cisneros TKO 1 (10) 1:31 February 19, 2016 Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S. Won vacant UBF female middleweight title
13 Loss 7–5–1 Hanna Gabriels UD 10 October 17, 2015 Estadio Edgardo Baltodano Briceño, Liberia, Costa Rica For WBO female light middleweight title
12 Loss 7–4–1 Christina Hammer UD 10 May 2, 2015 Sparkassen-Arena, Jena, Germany For WBO female middleweight title
11 Win 7–3–1 Teresa Perozzi TKO 3 (10) 0:51 November 21, 2014 Fairmont Southampton Resort, Southampton, Bermuda Won vacant IBA female middleweight title
10 Loss 6–3–1 Mikaela Laurén UD 8 July 18, 2014 Pabellon Municipal, Sedaví, Spain
9 Win 6–2–1 Marva Dash DQ 4 (6) 1:41 March 3, 2014 Irish Cultural Center, Canton, Massachusetts, U.S. Dash disqualified for excessive holding
8 Loss 5–2–1 Tori Nelson UD 10 November 7, 2013 Martin's Valley Mansion, Cockeysville, Maryland, U.S. For WIBA welterweight title
7 Win 5–1–1 Lyneisha Jefferson PTS 4 June 29, 2012 Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
6 Win 4–1–1 Marva Dash UD 4 March 9, 2012 Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
5 Win 3–1–1 Kate Aversa TKO 2 (4) December 9, 2011 Civic Center, West Warwick, Rhode Island, U.S.
4 Draw 2–1–1 Sarah Kuhn SD 6 October 28, 2011 Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany, New York, U.S.
3 Loss 2–1 Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes MD 6 July 9, 2010 Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes UD 4 March 6, 2009 Memorial Hall, Plymouth, Massachusetts, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Betsy Rowell TKO 2 (4), 1:16 September 6, 2008 The Roxy, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2021 Catch the Fair One Kaylee Also "story by"
2023 Asphalt City Nia
2025 Rebuilding † Post-production
2025 Mercy † Post-production
TBA Wind River: The Next Chapter † Post-production
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2024 True Detective: Night Country Evangeline Navarro Miniseries

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Kali Reis: Behind the Fighter". roundbyroundboxing.com. April 30, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "2 Female Boxers Fightin Their Way in a Man's World: Shelly Vincent and Kali Reis". Real Combat Media. October 29, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d Sam Laskaris (2014). "Native Boxer Wins Women's IBA Crown". Indian Country Today Media Network. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  4. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 11, 2022). "ICM & Authentic Talent & Lit Management Sign 'Catch The Fair One' Boxer, Actress & Writer Kali Reis". Deadline. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  5. ^ Gracewood, Gemma (February 14, 2022). "Fighting Spirit: Catch the Fair One's Many-Feathered Star • Journal • A Letterboxd Magazine". Letterboxd.com. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  6. ^ Wigler, Josh (February 19, 2024). "True Detective: Night Country Team Explains Ambiguous Ending: "You Should Be Making Theories"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  7. ^ "Kali Active". TB Data. 2015. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  8. ^ Bolton, Gia (2015). "What a Knockout: An Interview with K.O. Kali Reis". Native Max Magazine. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Kali Reis". womenboxing.com.
  10. ^ a b c Karima, Dawn (2014). "Native Knockout". PowWows.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  11. ^ a b c Hadadi, Roxana (July 17, 2024). "Night Country's Kali Reis Claims Another Victory". Vulture.com.
  12. ^ nativemax (February 26, 2024). "From the Ring to the Screen: Champion Boxer Turned Indigenous Advocate & Storyteller". Native Max. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  13. ^ Dawn, Randee (June 13, 2024). "For 'True Detective's' Kali Reis, showing Indigenous people as they really are is key". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  14. ^ Sun, Rebecca (March 9, 2024). "'True Detective' Star Kali Reis Embraces Her Afro-Indigenous Heritage: 'I Have Two Rooms I Can Stand In'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  15. ^ Dawn, Randee (June 13, 2024). "For 'True Detective's' Kali Reis, showing Indigenous people as they really are is key". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2024. with Cape Verdean ancestry and as a member of the Seaconke Wampanoag tribe
  16. ^ a b c Blackistone, Kevin (February 26, 2024). "The power and purpose behind Kali Reis's 'True Detective' arrival". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d Girlboxing (2014). "K.O. Mequinonoag Reis: Exclusive Q & A Ahead Of Her May 3, 2014 Fight!". Girlboxing. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  18. ^ Paiella, Gabriella (January 25, 2024). "'True Detective: Night Country' Star Kali Reis on Why She Made Her Character a Scorpio". GQ. Retrieved December 1, 2024. I went to school for criminal justice and wanted to be a corrections officer for juveniles.
  19. ^ Jones, Rendy (February 14, 2024). "How 'True Detective' Star Kali Reis Found Navarro's Balance of Vulnerability and Strength". Them. Retrieved December 1, 2024. I did a bit of law. I did study criminal justice. I originally wanted to be a probation or parole officer for juveniles.
  20. ^ 🖉"Cecilia Braekhus outpoints game Kali Reis, remains undisputed welterweight champ". May 6, 2018.
  21. ^ 🖉Mahmood, Zahid (May 2, 2018). "HBO's first televised female boxing match breaking 'the last barrier'". CNN.
  22. ^ "True Detective star Kali Reis: 'I got accused of my character being a rapist!'". The Independent. February 6, 2024.
  23. ^ Feldberg, Isaac (February 8, 2022). "By Any Means Necessary: Kali Reis on Catch the Fair One". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  24. ^ Kay, Jeremy (June 24, 2021). "'Catch The Fair One', 'Blind Ambition' win Tribeca Festival audience awards". Screen. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (June 28, 2022). "True Detective: Kali Reis Joins Jodie Foster in Season 4 as It Gets HBO Greenlight". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  26. ^ Morris, Nicky (January 29, 2024). "Meet True Detective star Kali Reis's famous husband". Hello!. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  27. ^ Tobias, Scott (January 30, 2024). "True Detective Season 4, Episode 3 Recap: 'Toxicity'". The New York Times. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  28. ^ "2021 Awards". Newport Beach Film Festival. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  29. ^ "Best Female Lead Archives". Film Independent. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  30. ^ Davis, Clayton (July 17, 2024). "Lily Gladstone and Kali Reis Make Emmys History as First Indigenous Women Nominated for Acting".
  31. ^ Hale, Nardos (January 9, 2024). ""I'm not fully this either": Lily Gladstone discusses pronoun inclusivity". Salon. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  32. ^ "Pride Guide: 15 LGBTQ+ Filmmakers and Artists on the Rise in 2023". A.frame. Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. June 16, 2023. Archived from the original on June 17, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  33. ^ "Boxing Champ, Film Write Kali Reis Visits Her Native East Providence". City of East Providence. February 16, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2024. Earlier this month, Reis was inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletic Hall of Fame (NAIAHF) for becoming a role model for the youth of the community and for her great feats as an athlete.
  34. ^ "Misty Upham Award". Red Nation Film Festival. Retrieved December 1, 2024. Past recipients Summer Testawich 2023, Kali Reis 2022, Deborah Parker 2015
  35. ^ a b Bowker, Brittany (March 20, 2024). "R.I. House to recognize actress Kali Reis with hero award - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  36. ^ "State of Rhode Island General Assembly". www.rilegislature.gov. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  37. ^ DaSilva, Melanie; Cortese, Joe (March 29, 2024). "Champion boxer and actress returns home to RI for special honor". WPRI.com. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  38. ^ Bowker, Brittany (January 31, 2024). "Rhode Island native Kali Reis on starring in 'True Detective: Night Country' - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  39. ^ Cabe, Caroline (August 26, 2024). "From The Boxing Ring To The Big Screen With Kali Reis". Cowboys and Indians Magazine. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  40. ^ "Kali Reis: Everything - or nothing at all". boxing-social.com. February 4, 2021.
  41. ^ "BLACKFEET".
Sporting positions
Minor world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Mary Jo Sanders 		IBA
female middleweight champion
November 21, 2014 – 2015
Vacated 		Vacant
Vacant
Title last held by
Tori Nelson 		UBF
female middleweight champion
February 19, 2016 – March 2016
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Tori Nelson
Vacant
Title last held by
Svetlana Kulakova 		IBO
female light-welterweight champion
August 20, 2021 – 2022
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Chantelle Cameron
Major world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Tori Nelson 		WBC
female middleweight champion
April 16, 2016 – November 5, 2016 		Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Jessica McCaskill 		WBA
female light-welterweight champion
November 6, 2020 – 2022
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Chantelle Cameron
Vacant
Title last held by
Christina Linardatou 		WBO
female light-welterweight champion
November 19, 2021 – 2022
Vacated