Team USA had previously announced just six fighters — male and female — for their Tokyo 2020 (2021) boxing squad, but have beefed it up with three young professional prospects, all of whom were originally set to make the team had the Olympics taken place last year as intended.
Lightweight Keyshawn Davis, middleweight Troy Isle, and featherweight Duke Ragan are now fully confirmed to join the team, according to USA Boxing.
Davis, 22, was considered by many to be Team USA’s top hope for a men’s gold medal since Andre Ward in 2004, and still could be. He’s 3-0 (2 KO) since turning pro in February, fighting on the Canelo-Yildirim, Herring-Frampton, and Canelo-Saunders cards.
“This opportunity began nonexistent,” said Davis. “So to see myself here again, I have learned that destiny isn’t determined by no man, it only holds a purpose that time will reveal. I am proud to be an Olympian.”
Isley, 22, turned pro on Feb. 13, fighting on Top Rank’s Commey-Marinez card in Las Vegas, and the 23-year-old Ragan (4-0, 1 KO) went pro last August. Both Isley and Ragan are signed with Top Rank.
“It feels as my dream as an eight-year-old kid has finally come true,” said Isley. “Two years ago, I thought it was over, but I always prayed and hoped for the best and hoped I would get another opportunity and God gave it to me.”
“This is something I’ve always dreamed of since I was a little kid and when I got the call, I was dumbstruck, and still to this day I haven’t gathered the words to explain how I feel,” said Ragan. “I’m very thankful for this opportunity, and I wanted to thank God and give my dad a special thanks, as he was my trainer from 2017-2019 and it may never have been possible without him making the sacrifices he made for me, as well as a thank you to USA Boxing. It’s my pleasure to represent USA Boxing in the 2020 Olympics.”
“We are excited to have these three back in the squad and heading with us to Tokyo,” USA Boxing High Performance Director Matt Johnson said. “Each one has been a staple within our program over the past quad, and their performances during that time has earned them this opportunity to represent the United States at the Games. We look forward to them taking advantage of the opportunity and doing their part to put Team USA back on top of the podium this summer.”
The full Team USA squad:
Men’s Boxing
- Richard Torrez Jr, super heavyweight
- Troy Isley, middleweight
- Delante Johnson, welterweight
- Keyshawn Davis, lightweight
- Duke Ragan, featherweight
Women’s Boxing
- Naomi Graham, middleweight (team captain)
- Oshae Jones, welterweight
- Rashida Ellis, lightweight
- Ginny Fuchs, flyweight