Kali Reis is a force to be reckoned with, both in and out of the boxing ring.
This multi-talented athlete has not only conquered the world of professional boxing but has also made a successful transition into acting.
This article will teach you about Kali Reis’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Kali Reis’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kali “KO” Mequinonoag Reis |
| Nickname | KO Mequinonoag |
| Born | August 24, 1986 |
| Age | 37 |
| College | Attended college for Criminal Justice/Science |
| Religion | – |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’8″ (173 cm) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1-5 million |
| Salary | Varies per fight/project |
| Spouse | Brian Cohen |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Instagram Profile | @kaliboxing |
Early Career
Kali Reis began her boxing journey at the age of 14 in Providence, Rhode Island.
With a mixed heritage of Cherokee, Nipmuc, and Seaconke Wampanoag tribes, Reis embraced her Native American roots, which would later influence her boxing persona.
Despite a limited amateur career due to a lack of opponents in her area, Reis managed to secure several achievements, including the 2007 Rocky Marciano Championship and the 2007 NYC Golden Gloves at 154 pounds.
Professional Career
Reis turned professional in 2008, winning her debut by 2nd-round knockout. Her early professional career was marked by infrequent fights, with only one bout per year in her first 3 years.
A significant setback occurred in 2012 when she was involved in a serious motorcycle accident, temporarily halting her boxing career.
However, Reis made a remarkable comeback, winning her first world title in 2014 – the IBA Middleweight Championship.
Her career reached new heights in 2016 when she captured the WBC World Female Middleweight belt, making her the first Native American woman to win a major world boxing title.
Husband
Kali Reis is married to Brian Cohen, who also serves as her manager.
Kali Reis’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Kali Reis’s net worth is estimated to be between $1-5 million.
Fight Purse
| Year | Event | Purse | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | World Title Fight | $10,000 | Paid by promoter Lou DiBella out of pocket |
| 2021 | – | – | Described as a “6-figure fighter” by her manager |
Endorsements
- Boxing Equipment: As a professional boxer, Reis may have endorsements with boxing gear brands for gloves, hand wraps, or training equipment.
- Athletic Wear: She might partner with sportswear companies for training and casual wear.
- Native American-Owned Businesses: Given her strong connection to her Native American heritage, Reis may endorse or collaborate with indigenous-owned brands.
- Health and Wellness Products: Athletes often endorse supplements, nutrition products, or recovery aids.
Career Records
| Opponent | Result | Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jessica Camara | Win (SD) | November 19, 2021 | Retained WBA and IBO female light welterweight titles; Won vacant WBO light welterweight title |
| Diana Prazak | Win (MD) | August 20, 2021 | Retained WBA female light welterweight title; Won vacant IBO female light welterweight title |
| Kandi Wyatt | Win (UD) | November 6, 2020 | Won vacant WBA female light welterweight title |
| Cecilia Brækhus | Loss (UD) | May 5, 2018 | For the undisputed welterweight championship |
| Maricela Cornejo | Win (SD) | April 16, 2016 | Won WBC female middleweight title |
FAQs
1. When and where was Kali Reis born?
Kali Reis was born on August 24, 1986, in Providence, Rhode Island. She is the youngest of five siblings and was raised in East Providence by her mother.
2. What are Kali Reis’s major boxing achievements?
Reis is a six-time world champion in two weight classes. She held the WBC female middleweight title (2016) and the WBA, WBO, and IBO light welterweight titles (2020–2022). She also made history in HBO’s first televised women’s bout against Cecilia Brækhus in 2018.
3. How did Kali Reis transition into acting?
Reis debuted as the lead in the 2021 thriller Catch the Fair One, earning an Independent Spirit Award nomination. She later starred as Detective Evangeline Navarro in HBO’s True Detective: Night Country (2024), receiving critical acclaim and award nominations.
4. What is Kali Reis’s cultural heritage?
Reis is of mixed Cape Verdean and Native American descent. She is an enrolled member of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe and incorporates her Indigenous name, “Mequinonoag” (“many feathers/talents”), into her boxing persona.
5. Is Kali Reis married?
Yes. She married retired boxer and trainer Brian Cohen in November 2021. The couple collaborates on promoting equity in women’s boxing and advocates for missing Indigenous women.
6. What advocacy work is Kali Reis known for?
Reis uses her platform to raise awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). She co-wrote and starred in Catch the Fair One, which addresses the MMIW crisis, and partners with organizations like You Are Loved to support affected families.
7. What is Kali Reis’s professional boxing record?
Reis holds a record of 19 wins (5 KOs), 7 losses, and 1 draw. She retired as a reigning champion but has expressed interest in returning to the ring.
8. What major films or TV shows has Kali Reis appeared in?
Her notable roles include Catch the Fair One (2021) and True Detective: Night Country (2024). She also earned a Critics’ Choice Award nomination for her performance in the latter.
9. Did Kali Reis face challenges in her boxing career?
Yes. Reis overcame a severe motorcycle accident in 2012, limited amateur opportunities, and a lack of promoters early in her career. She also navigated systemic barriers as a woman and Indigenous athlete in a male-dominated sport.
10. Is Kali Reis still active in boxing?
Reis is inactive but has hinted at a comeback. She continues training and advocates for women’s boxing while balancing her acting career.
