As an amateur, Reid represented Great Britain at 1992 Summer Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the light-middleweight division.

In 1996, he captured the World Boxing Council super middleweight title by defeating Vincenzo Nardiello by a TKO in 7.

He then successfully defended his title three times, including a victory over Henry Wharton and Hacine Cherifi.

In January 2009 Reid said on Liverpool's City Talk radio station that he would like to come out of retirement and fight Tony Dodson for the British super-middleweight title, providing Dodson overcomes Brian Magee on 28 March at the Echo Arena, Liverpool, Merseyside.

“I would love to fight Tony Dodson for the British super-middleweight title at the ECHO Arena, no disrespect to Tony as I think he is a great fighter, but I have never held the Lonsdale Belt and would love the chance to put it around my waist.