Thomas Covington, just 18 years old, is already breaking barriers

Thomas Covington left the USA Boxing Nationals in 2024 with not just a national title but also the status of being the most outstanding elite boxer.

In 2019, he left Detroit to live with his trainer, Khalil Harvey Snr. He won the 132lbs division in 2024 when defeating Ramon Ordonez in the finals, contributing to the most outstanding elite boxer, awarded to those between the ages of 19 and 40 – all while remaining 18.

Covington started boxing at a young age. He is an eight-time national champion. He was also the youngest in his bracket. He hadn’t yet turned 19, but because of his birth date and where it falls on the calendar, he still qualified. 

“I first met him at seven or eight,” said Harvey Snr.

Harvey’s son, Harvey Jnr, is two years younger than Covington. The two were friends, which is how they first met. Then, a life decision followed – Covington had to move from his home and live with his trainer. His family supported him doing so, in the hopes of a better life for him.

“His mother called me hysterical one day, saying ‘I need my baby with y’all,’” Harvey Snr said. “I told her I would give her my wife’s number. They talked. That week we got custody of him, got him in school, and he has been living with us ever since.”

“I started living with my coach because I used to live in a bad neighborhood with my mom,” Covington said. “She didn’t feel like it was the best choice for me living there. She wanted more for me.”

That was six years ago, but Harvey Snr still remembers the initial promise. The job, regardless, is far from done. 

“He came to me and we’ve been working towards his goals since,” he said. 

The words that Covington first said to his coach might lead to the next USA Boxing Olympian.

“I just told him that I wanted to stay consistent in the gym,” Covington said. “I didn’t want to be around bad crowds or anything like that.”

Harvey Snr recalled this initial conversation when he got custody of Covington. Covington, at an early age, made a very adult decision that reshaped his life.

“We took him in and we’ve been building on the momentum, and developing as a team since then,” Harvey Snr said. “So, his goals are our goals. His future is our future. However we do it, we will do it together. We sit down and come together as a family and make decisions and help Thomas move forward.”