Inspired by his parents, Troy Isley has work to do to achieve his goals

Middleweight Troy Isley, inspired by his parents’ work ethic and values, is steadily moving closer to a title shot.

A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Isley is set to fight on the Nov. 8 card at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, where he will face 30-year-old Tyler “Herc” Howard (20-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-round bout.

Isley (13-0, 5 KOs) grew up watching his parents, Kevin Johnson and Taninia Isley, work tirelessly to provide for their family. 

“My dad was always around, taking me to practice and picking me up,” the 26-year-old Isley said. “He worked two jobs, but he was always there. My mom, though, was always working – two, sometimes three jobs. I didn’t understand it as a kid, but now I realize she was doing everything to make sure I had what I needed.”

Isley’s mother works as a caregiver and holds a part-time job at Trader Joe’s, refusing to retire despite years of hard work.

“She’s independent,” Isley said of his mom. “She likes to go out and get things done herself.”

His father, now retired, spent more than 20 years working for Mercedes-Benz and Trader Joe’s, instilling in Isley discipline and resilience.

“My dad taught me how to stand up for myself,” Isley said. “He taught me morals and principles, and that’s something I carry with me, especially when people tried to pick on me growing up.”

As a professional boxer, Isley’s focus has shifted to the demanding work of his sport. He regularly travels to training camps in Las Vegas and Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his team, led by Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, and is determined to achieve his ultimate goal. “I want to be a two-time world champion and make sure my family never has to worry about anything again,” Isley said. “That’s what I’m working for.”

Returning home after a fight is always a joyful occasion for Isley, whose strong family support keeps him grounded.

“Every time I come home after a victory, my family is so happy,” Isley said. “They throw cookouts and tell me how proud they are that I stuck with it.” 

With his first professional fight near his hometown on the horizon, Isley is eager to share this special moment with his loved ones. Yet he remains grounded in his blue-collar roots, emphasizing that there is more work ahead.

“I haven’t achieved my goal yet,” Isley said. “I haven’t won a world title, and I’m not rich yet, so there’s still work to be done.”

Looking at the current state of the middleweight division, Isley sees a prime opportunity to make his mark. With aging WBA titleholder Erislandy Lara and Janibek Alimkhanuly struggling to generate widespread attention, the division is open for a young fighter to make a name for himself.

“The division is in a weird spot right now,” Isley said. “But it’s good for me. As a young fighter coming up, I can bring a spark and make my mark.”

Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.