If all goes well Reynolds and Sharma will square off in Tijuana. (Photo: Richard E. Baker)

 

Al “TNT” Reynolds (4-0-0) is a small name in a big game. Like many new boxers, he is working to build a larger billboard. Three of his 4 wins have come by way of KO. His last fight on March 12 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Washington, against Juan Jackson (2-4-0) took more work than usual. He managed to pull off a majority decision. He resembled a firecracker rather than a stick of TNT. If his next fight comes off as hoped, he will move up to cherry bomb, then, possibly, to TNT. It’s all a matter of increased black powder.

 

Arrangements are being made to match him with rising middleweight prospect Gaganpreet Sharma (9-2-0) from India. This will be Reynolds biggest test and any somnambulist tactics are unlikely to work. The fight will require No Doze all the way.

 

Sharma is rated Number 2 middleweight in India and has a large following. That following has increased with his recent acting role in the Bollywood film “Toofan.” Although he enjoyed the acting his dedication is to boxing. He started boxing at the age of five in his hometown of Chandigarh, India. He was moving steadily up the boxing ladder when fights started to dry up due to covid and to the fact he had reached that difficult time in his career when his record is just a little too good and opponents are difficult to find. He jumped at the chance to tackle Reynolds. A boxer on the rise should fight every month to hone his skills.

 

Reynolds has been training at the new Moreno Gym in Auburn, Washington. The gym is a state-of-the-art facility featuring everything a boxer needs including housing. The gym specializes in prospects including Jesus Saracho (10-1-0, 9 KOs) whose only loss was partially due to an orbital fracture; Jonathan Fierro (13-0-0, 12 KOs) who is scheduled to fight on the Benavidez/Lemieux championship fight in Arizona on May 21; and tough James Browning (8-0-0, 7 KOs).

 

If all goes well Reynolds and Sharma will square off in Tijuana, Mexico, on May 28 in a night of inspiring fights including Louis Gallegos, Emmi Moreno, and James Browning, all undefeated and all expected to fight tough opponents.