Olympic boxer Troy Isley greets students during a Sept. 11 visit to Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy.
The cheers were long and loud as Olympian Troy Isley paid a visit to Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy Sept. 11, talking to students at his Alma Mater about his life as a professional boxer.
Isley, who represented the United States in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, won a bronze medal at both the 2017 World Championships and 2019 Pan American Games. He turned pro in 2021 following the delayed Olympic games and currently has a record of 10-0 as a professional.
Known as “The Transformer,” Isley posed for photos and selfies with the students during an assembly organized by Lyles-Crouch principal Laura Burkhart. He told the students about his time at Lyles-Crouch and his start in boxing with the Alexandria Boxing Club, where he continues to train at the Charles Houston Recreation Center.
“You can accomplish anything,” said Isley, who talked about his troubled childhood. “Don’t let anyone try to make fun of you or shoot your dreams down because you want to do something different.”