Akin "Ak" Reyes, better known as Ak (born November 10, 1979), is a TV sports broadcaster. He is well known for his presence on DAZN, a global live and on-demand sports streaming platform.[1][2][3] Reyes was the lead host of The DAZN Boxing Show and Da Pull Up, aired on DAZN, with his co-host, Kamal Barak Bess.[2]
Akin "Ak" Reyes | |
|---|---|
 Reyes Broadcasting for DAZN | |
| Born | November 10, 1979 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | TV sports broadcaster and host |
| Years active | 2009 – present |
| Employer |
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| Known for |
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| Children | 1 |
Reyes brings a unique, fresh and stylish approach to television whilst interviewing the biggest names in and around boxing, and entertainers, such as Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Charlamagne Tha God, Tweet, 50 Cent, Canelo Álvarez, Deontay Wilder, Brandy Norwood, Sheryl Underwood, Akon, and Michael Buffer, to name a few.[4][5]
In 2024, OTX (Overtime Boxing), a platform for emerging boxers, streaming all fights on social media platforms and DAZN, signed Reyes to their company.[6]
Early life
editReyes is of Puerto Rican and St. Lucian descent, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He currently resides in New Jersey.[7]
Reyes and his brother, Shamir Reyes,[8] were introduced to boxing by their father; Reyes went on to have over 70 amateur fights as Shamir embarked on a professional boxing career, signed under Don King Promotions, which enabled Reyes to learn about the boxing business.[7]
Whilst in his 20s, Reyes worked as a fashion model, an actor, and for the family business.[7]
Personal life
editReyes is a father of one child. His son, Taj Marley Reyes, is featured in campaigns for Nike, Gap, Zara, Levis, Target, Footlocker, and he walked in the 2020 Nike New York Fashion Week, tribute to the late Kobe Bryant.
Career
edit2009
editReyes and his friend, Saleem 'Hitchcock' Thomas, hosted a radio show that was dedicated to Hip hop. However, Reyes, an avid fan of boxing, incorporated the sport into the show. The duo interviewed former undisputed welterweight boxing champion Zab Judah, which kickstarted Reyes' career in boxing journalism and broadcasting.[9][10]
2015
editReyes and co-host, Barak, accepted the opportunity to host a show on SiriusXM called The Hype Men. The duo talked about boxing events, and included topics around pop culture.[7]
2016
editReyes and his co-host were employed to host their own show, The Sweet Scientists, on Thisis50.com, a website platform owned by rapper, actor, director and producer, Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson.[7]
2018
editDAZN "picked up" The Sweet Scientist, with Reyes and his co-host maintaining their position on the show.[2]
2019
editReyes and his co-host brought a new and exciting show to DAZN called Da Pull Up. The duo pranks individuals who use social media platforms to 'troll' boxers. 'Ak and Barak' 'pull up' on the internet troll in a public setting, with the fighter they had disrespected online.[11]
Reyes and Barak currently host their own show, The Ak and Barak Show, on SiriusXM and DAZN.[12]
2020
editThe Ak and Barak Show is broadcast in more than 200 countries and territories, including the UK, following DAZN's delayed global launch on December 1.[13] [14]
2021
editReyes was the co-host at two pay-per-view Boxing events, headlined by Ryan Garcia & Luke Campbell in January, and Saúl Canelo Àlvarez & Anvi Yildirim in February.
In April, Reyes announced the end of his contract with SiriusXM; however, his relationship with DAZN continued. DAZN created a new show, The DAZN Boxing Show, and secured 'Ak & Barak' as their lead hosts, bringing DAZN subscribers the latest news, opinions, star interviews, and all things Boxing, 5 days a week.
2022
editReyes hosted The DAZN Boxing Show, live, for the undercard of all the big boxing events, including Dmitry Bivol vs. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, Ryan Garcia vs. Javier Fortuna, and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Gennadiy Golovkin, to name a few.
2023
editReyes continued to host The DAZN Boxing Show, live, for the undercard of boxing events, including Anthony Joshua vs. Jermaine Franklin, Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia, and Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz.
2024
editOTX announced they signed the accomplished boxing analyst as a commentator. Reyes' debut on the platform was March 29th.
Reyes did the voiceover for the Ryan Garcia vs Devin Haney '40 Days' episodes in the lead up to their pay-per-view fight.
References
edit- ^ "DAZN & SiriusXM team up for new daily boxing show on SiriusXM Fight Nation". Hear & Now. 2019-11-11. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ a b c "At the Fights". The Ring. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "DAZN and Sirius XM to Launch New Daily Boxing Show". DAZN Media Centre. 2019-11-11. Archived from the original on 2021-11-28. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "50 Cent Talks Boxing, Music, + Much More W/ Ak & Barak". Thisis50. 2018-12-21. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "DAZN Announces Ak & Barak Show on SiriusXM". Barrett Sports Media. 2019-11-11. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "OVERTIME's OTX Signs Ak & Barak – SWAY'S UNIVERSE". 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
- ^ a b c d e "It Was All A Dream: Boxing with Ak". chicpeajc.com. 2018-06-07. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "BoxRec: Shamir Reyes". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ Villanova, Patrick (2014-04-15). "Cool and confident: Jersey City duo ready to launch Internet boxing TV show". nj. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ Wright, Michael (2013-06-20). "Two Jersey City boxing fans build Internet radio show around interviews, debates". nj. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ ""Gimme Five Minutes!" | Zab Judah Pulls Up On Internet Troll With Ak & Barak". Thisis50. 2019-06-11. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "AK and Barak Have New Daily Boxing Show on SiriusXM". NY Fights. 2019-11-11. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ^ "DAZN UK streaming service set to launch with big fight in December, price revealed". talkSPORT. 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
- ^ McCaskill, Steve. "DAZN To Launch In U.K. And 200 Territories With International Boxing". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-04-11.