Pan American Games and World Championship Medalists Added to Men’s USA Boxing Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Team
by USA Boxing
USA Boxing announced today three additional male boxers who punched their ticket to compete this summer at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 through the World Qualifier quota allocation that was awarded to the highest ranked Americas boxers in each weight class that did not receive a quota through the continental allotment.
Keyshawn Davis (Norfolk, Va.), Troy Isley (Alexandria, Va.) and Duke Ragan (Cincinnati, Ohio), will join previously announced, Rashida Ellis (Lynn, Mass.), Virginia Fuchs (Houston, Texas), Naomi Graham (Fayetteville, N.C.), Delante Johnson (Cleveland, Ohio), Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio) and Richard Torrez Jr. (Tulare, Calif.). All team nominations are pending United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee approval.
“We are excited to have these three back on the squad and heading with us to Tokyo,” stated USA Boxing High Performance Director Matt Johnson. “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.”
Lightweight (138 lbs./63 kg) Davis earned his ranking points through his silver medal performances at both the 2019 Pan American Games and the 2019 Elite Men’s World Championships. The now 3-0 professional will look to become the first American male boxer to win an Olympic medal in the lightweight division since Kenneth Gould in 1988 Seoul.
“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 earned his first points towards his Worlds rankings at the 2017 Elite Male World Championships, where he earned a bronze medal. The middleweight (165 lbs./75 kg) added additional valuable points with another bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Games. The 1-0 professional can earn USA Boxing’s first Olympic middleweight medal for the men’s team since Andre Dirrell’s bronze in 2004 with a strong performance in Tokyo.
“It feels as my dream as an eight-year-old kid has finally come true,” stated 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.”
The third member of Team USA from Ohio and 4-0 professional, Ragan gained valuable points throughout the quad from his second-place finish at the 2019 Pan American Games and the 2017 Elite Men’s World Championships, his first major international event with USA Boxing. The featherweight (125 lbs./57 kg) hopes to add Olympic medalist to his impressive resume, as well as win Team USA’s first medal in this division since Ricardo Juarez’s silver at the 2000 Sydney Games.
“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,” shared 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.”
Boxing in Tokyo will begin on Saturday, July 24th (JST). Continue to check usaboxing.org and USA Boxing’s social media platforms for up to date information regarding the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
All team nominations are subject to USOPC approv