Who is Kali Reis’ husband? Everything about retired boxer Brian Cohen

Boxing champion Kali Reis has found a perfect match in her partner, Brian Cohen.

The couple has been married since 2021, but their story began in 2016, when Reis asked Cohen, a former professional fighter turned manager, to work for her. Since then, their bond has gone from strength to strength, with the couple sharing the highs and lows of a career in professional sports.

Six world titles later, Reis and Cohen continue to support each other, both in and out of the ring. Together they built a life around their passion for boxing while also embracing new opportunities, with Cohen leading an all-female team with more than 38 championships and Reis expanding her career into acting.

Reis, a proud two-spirit person who identifies as Afro-Indigenous, made her high-profile debut in Catch the Fair One in 2021. Reis continued with her portrayal of Evangaline Navarro, which earned her a 2024 award Emmy nomination for her role in True Detective: Nightlandnext to Jodie Foster.

Reis credits both Cohen and her acting experiences with transforming her self-confidence, describing him not only as a supportive partner but also as her “best friend.” In an interview with The Philly Voiceshe reflected on their relationship, saying, “I don’t think anyone thought the movie would be as big as it was. I’ve gained a lot of self-esteem from watching myself. I’ve learned a lot about myself. Having Brian as my best friend and he told me a lot of things I didn’t know about myself.”

Now based in Philadelphia, the couple continues to support each other’s ambitions, with Reis earning a spot TIME‘s Next 100 in 2024, nominated by fellow actress, Lily Gladstone.

So, who is Kali Reis’ husband? Here’s everything you need to know about Brian Cohen and his relationship with the world champion.

He is a trainer and manager

Cohen has built a career as a successful manager and trainer with a specialty in women’s boxing, representing champions such as Melissa Hernandez, Christina Linardatou and Ronica Jeffrey, according to the Women’s Boxing Archive Network. He has represented Reis, six-time world champion, since 2016.

He told Sue “TL” Fox, two-time Hall of Famer and historian of women’s boxing, about his introduction to the sport for WBAN.

“I first entered a boxing gym when I was 8 years old. My father was a very successful manager in Philadelphia and had some of the best boxers in the city,” he said. “He has also managed several world champions. I had been doing my own thing fighting and building my record fighting all over the country. I have made very good contacts with promoters and matchmakers everywhere I went.”

Fox discussed Cohen’s specialty in managing female boxers, saying, “I only wish I had done that.” had someone like him who advocated for me when I was thrown into a lion’s den as a young warrior in my twenties.”

According to The New York TimesCohen currently leads his 35-championship all-female team, Team Empire, at his training facility on a New Jersey farm.

They met in the ring

Reis and Cohen met in Auckland, New Zealand, during her 14th professional fight in 2016. Although she initially contacted him by email, their real connection began when they met in person, when Reis asked Cohen to join to hook her up, according to The Philly Voice.

Cohen has supported her career as a trainer and manager from then on, with the two developing a close friendship. Reis told The Philly Voice about how she was able to confide in Cohen about her past and build self-confidence through their connection.

“Brian saw something in me that I couldn’t see myself, and I think that’s where it started,” she said.

They got engaged in 2020 and married in 2021

After a professional meeting in 2016, the two became good friends The Philly Voice.

Eventually, the two began a romantic relationship, with Cohen announcing their engagement on Instagram in 2020 with the caption, “She said yes.” The pair later announced their marriagesaying, “11/27/21 was a beautiful day.”

They have Cohen’s daughter from a previous relationship

Reis is a stepmother to Cohen’s teenage daughter, Alanna, from a previous relationship. The proud father often posts about his child and has even spoken about her impact on his life.

Cohen spoke The boxing voice podcast about why he chose to represent female athletes. “The reason I got involved in women’s boxing honestly is because of my daughter,” he said.

They are advocates for women’s equality

Reis and Cohen both put women at the center of their careers. Reis, who identifies as Afro-Indigenous and is a member of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe, has a personal connection to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s (MMIW) movement.

“I had a family member (disappear), so it hit close to home,” she told PEOPLE in 2024. Reis brought her activism to the ring, advocating for MMIW with a special insignia on her shorts, as well as bringing attention to social media and at conferences.

Most recently, Journey announced on Instagram with whom they will collaborate You are loveda community grant program that provides assistance to the families of MMIW in their quest for justice. Reis is running the 2024 New York City Marathon with the organization to raise money and awareness.

Reis and Cohen have worked together to create equality in women’s boxing. Cohen believes it is important that women’s boxing receives the same respect as men’s boxing. “I’ve been managing women for about 13 to 14 years, but I really got into it when I saw how (female boxers) were treated like an afterthought,” he said. The boxing voice. “Women used to fight title fights for $3,000, and you had to gladly take them and be grateful for a spot on the card. Women’s equality is the reason I did it.”

They love to make each other laugh

Reis and Cohen like to call each other “best friends.” Cohen has several posts of the two wrestling at home and using their professional skills to make each other laugh. One message makes the two giggle uncontrollably while pretending to fight.

“Take it,” Reis says before Cohen puts her on the bed. Cohen captioned the post: “It’s amazing that I could love this woman more and more every day. It’s a blessing to be with her. All we do is laugh and love each other.”

Reis gave Cohen a sentimental gift

Cohen shared on social media about a special gift Reis gave him, a bracelet with the coordinates of the place where they first met.

The boxing coach expressed his surprise at the gift, writing: “Some people give meaningless gifts. Some say crappy things. So when you finally meet your soulmate and (she) gives you the latitude and longitude coordinates of the first time you worked in her corner in a world title fight, it’s beyond special. APRIL 16, 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand is where I met my future wife. I love you.”

He supports her acting career

Reis made her acting debut in 2021 with Catch the Fair Onea film about a half-Indian, half-Cape Verdean boxer who follows her kidnapped younger sister. This role got her discovered Jodie Fosterwho approached Reis about playing Evangaline Navarro, an Alaskan State Trooper of Iñupiaq heritage in season 4 of HBO’s True Detective: Nightland.

Reis’ performance earned her a Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Cohen made his pride for Reis known by summarizing her recent achievements on Instagramwriting: ‘I know I don’t post much. Usually I leave it to your family, friends and fans. Let’s recap the past 21 days. You’ve been nominated for an Emmy. You were promoting your first boxing show. You were named to Time Magazine’s 100 Next list. And you ran a half marathon.”

He then expressed his admiration for his wife, saying, “I’m so proud of you, from where you came to where you are today. You truly inspire my love. To see you every day and know the 1,127 different directions you’re being pulled in and still handle things like a boss amazes me sometimes. I enjoy experiencing all this together with you. I’m here to support you. You are my wife but above all my best friend. And thank you for being the wonderful person that you are. I love you, incomprehensible.”