HOMETOWN: Alexandria, Virginia
BIRTHDATE: September 5, 1998
WEIGHT CLASS: Middleweight
HEIGHT: 5-10
PROFESSIONAL RECORD: 10-0 (4 KOS)
NEXT FIGHT: November 16 in Las Vegas, NV
Since his early days as a boxer, Troy "The Transformer" Isley dreamt of representing his hometown of Alexandria, Va., in the Olympic Games. Through a unique road to the world’s biggest sporting event, Isley fulfilled his childhood dream and proudly represented both his hometown and Team USA in the 2021 Olympic Games. With that accomplishment now in the rearview mirror, Isley is focused on new goals in the sweet science.
Isley picked up the sport as an energetic 9-year-old at an area recreation center that houses the Alexandria Boxing Club. He remembers his regular visits to the Charles Houston Recreation Center as a child. Inevitably when his father came to pick him up, he would find his son in some form of time out after Isley was caught fighting with other kids. Eventually, a staff member reached out to young boxing coach Kay Koroma and asked for his assistance with the rambunctious youngster. Coach Kay brought Isley into the boxing gym and he and coach Dennis Porter found a way to channel that combative energy into a positive outlet.
Isley soon got the best of everyone they put in the ring with him, and Coach Porter told his parents that if he stayed dedicated to the sport, he could become a national champion. He would go on to exceed that proclamation, becoming a national champion at every level, winning multiple international medals, and earning a berth on the 2020 Olympic team.
He is one of only three American boxers ever to compete in the Olympic Games after turning professional, clinching the spot based upon his international success over the previous four years, due to the international qualification tournaments being canceled because of COVID. Following his first two professional victories, Isley stepped away from the pro ranks to compete in the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Although Isley didn’t return with a medal, he fulfilled his and Coach Porter’s lifelong Olympic dream.
With the Olympics behind him, Isley turned all of his focus back to his pro career. Just two months after returning from Tokyo, Isley was back in a professional boxing ring, scoring a first-round TKO on the undercard of the Shakur Stevenson – Jamel Herring world title fight.
After one-sided victories in the first half of 2023 over Roy Barringer in April and Antonio Todd in July, Troy heads into the biggest fight of his career against Mexico’s Vladimir Hernandez.
In the second stage of his career, Isley has adopted the name “MEGATROY” and added coaches Ron Simms, Red Spikes and Esau’ Dieguez to his training team. He has always had an aggressive, fan-friendly style, and is now focusing on balanced defense and offense to dominate his opponents. He is getting more comfortable with each fight and learning to make the necessary adjustments against his wide range of opponents.
As Troy moves up in the sanctioning body rankings and further establishes himself as a top contender. He hasn’t only grown in the boxing ring since turning professional but also outside the ring as well. Isley is continuing to work on his skills as a businessman and making significant efforts to grow his name recognition by showcasing his personality in conjunction with his boxing skills. He plans to show the world that Troy “The Transformer” Isley is the complete package and can truly do it all in a boxing ring.
In addition, he’s working to create his own philanthropic organization, Transforming Mindsets, to support young people in his hometown of Alexandria, Va. He hopes to work with a group of students at his former middle school to provide guidance and encouragement to assist them in having a successful mindset. He wants to instill the message that they can accomplish any goal that they set and stick with their mission even when inevitable adversity sets in. He hopes to continue to visit schools in the Alexandria area but doesn’t want his visits to be one-time events. He plans to create meaningful connections and show them that they can achieve their dreams like he has.
Isley, the youngest of six siblings, credits his family and their unwavering belief in him as his biggest motivation. His family continues to provide him with tremendous support and encouragement during his professional career. He is a newly signed Venum Athlete and is also sponsored by Killer Grips Tape, Lifted Life Kicks, and Get Sum Gwap.
Coach Porter passed away in early 2020 so although he wasn’t there to see Isley become an Olympian or turn professional, he remains a great inspiration to him as he tackles this next chapter in his life and career.