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Image by: Will Paul
Text by: Mariano A. Agmi
Undefeated welterweight prospect Victor “TAKO” Reynoso (11-0, 7 KOs) is done waiting. Focused, hardened by experience, and fueled by purpose, the 32-year-old Providence resident headlines CES Boxing’s Winter Brawl 2026 on Saturday, February 7, when he faces New Bedford’s ‘Prince’ Ray Oliveira Jr. (10-4, 2 KOs) at the Historic Park Theater in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Tickets to CES Boxing’s Winter Brawl 2026 are on sale now at CES Fights. Doors open at 6pm, with the first bout at 7pm.
After years of steady development, Reynoso sees 2026 as his breakout year in boxing.
“I’m excited about my career and in 2026, I'm taking care of business,” stated the Dominican-born boxer. “Training camp is going great: I’m focusing on endurance and conditioning, making sure my body is strong, eating healthy, practicing good habits, and staying focused on what I need to do.”
That discipline is forged daily at Grundy’s Gym in Central Falls, where Reynoso has trained for the past few years under the tutelage of Peter Grundy. The old-school gym, steeped in history and grit, suits Reynoso’s mindset.
“It’s a historic gym that’s been around since the 70s or 80s,” said Reynoso. “Muhammad Ali used to go there, Marvin Hagler, so it’s a good gym. I honestly feel like I met the Mr. Miyagi of boxing – just the Irish version. He teaches that knowledge is power, but only if you have a plan of execution. That regimen and mindset, on top of my natural drive to push past my limits, is what’s made me successful up until now.”
Across the ring from Reynoso on February 7 is Oliveira, the son of Ray ‘Sucra’ Oliveira, who has worked hard to forge his own legacy in the 'Sweet Science'.
“Ray comes in shape,” admits Reynoso. “He’s a prideful man, and prideful men always show up to fight. I respect that. I don’t just want to get in the ring and knock out a taxi driver. I’m invested in my career. Sword sharpens sword, so the only way you get better is by challenging yourself. I’m not trying to get to 30-0 just to get knocked off by someone who’s been grinding and overcoming adversity.”
Reynoso knows what to expect from Oliveira. As an amateur, Victor watched Ray fight several times at Twin River Casino.
“He’s going to come forward, so I have to use the skill set that favors me,” said the 6’0 tall Reynoso. “I’m taller and longer, so I’ve got to hit him with that ‘Hitman’ Hearns jab and keep him on the outside. If I let him inside, I’m giving him opportunities to be successful. I’m not doing that.”
Reynoso’s confidence is rooted in more than boxing. Born in the Dominican Republic and arriving in the United States at age five, he carries a sense of responsibility that has driven him since childhood.
“I had to leave my dad behind at a young age, and that wasn’t easy,” confessed Reynoso. “The last conversation we had, he told me I had to take care of my family. I’ve had that in mind since I was a kid. I feel like no one in my family has had the opportunity to really make it, and I want to help them out. That’s why I’m all in on what I’m doing.”
Embarking on his pro career in 2018 after a brief stint in the amateurs, Reynoso fought often in his first year. That development came to a halt by the global pandemic.
“Covid did me in,” admitted Reynoso. “It was a catastrophe. I'm 11-0 and I turned pro at 23. I was fighting 6 times a year, so if you do the math, that’s 6 fights in my first year. It’s been 8 years. How am I only 11-0 right now?”
Thankfully, Reynoso was wise enough to hedge his bets and make use of the time. Despite admitting that he hated to read as a child, Victor graduated from Rhode Island College with a degree in Political Science and is now working on his Master’s in Business Administration while continuing his fistic career.
“I wanna own my own business, cause something that I cherish is flexibility,” says Reynoso of what he will do when he eventually hangs up the gloves. “Flexibility is something you don’t have if you don’t own a business. You work hard, but it's your business, so you can decide how you want to operate it.”
But before he can focus on what type of business he wants to start, Reynoso is aware that time is running out on his dream.
“I’m 11-0, I just turned 32, and it’s the fourth quarter. I don’t have time to waste,” agreed Reynoso. “You can only do this until a certain age, so my goal for 2026 is to knock everybody out.”
The mission begins on February 7 against an inspired Ray Oliveira, Jr. in the main event at the Historic Park Theater. The stage is set and the protagonists are ready, so what can the fans expect on fight night?
“I'm passionate about what I'm doing,” explained a confident Reynoso. “I keep all my trunks. I frame them so that one day I could look back and say, ‘This is how it started, barely able to scrape up enough funds to buy these expensive trunks for one fight. $300 for an outfit that I'm going to wear for 30 seconds as I make my entrance into the ring.’ A lot of fighters don't do that, but I'm living my dream, and I fight for my people. They take time off and show up for me, so I have to give them a show.”
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