Troy Isley and Tyler Howard trade verbal blows at press conference

Middleweight Troy Isley didn’t hold back how he felt at the press conference ahead of his Friday night fight against Tyler Howard at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. 

“Friday night, Troy Isley is going to dominate Tyler Howard, every round, every second of the fight,” Isley said.

Isley, 26, a 2020 U.S. Olympian from Alexandria, Virginia, is eager to impress his local supporters, who will find the four-hour drive to Norfolk easier than traveling for his previous fights. Training alongside Keyshawn Davis, who headlines the event, and under Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, Isley’s confidence was evident.

Isley owns a 13-0 (5 KOs) record and has been on an impressive run in the past year, including a unanimous decision over Vladimir Hernandez, a stoppage of Marcos Hernandez, and a victory over amateur rival Javier Martinez. At the press conference, the 20-1 (11 KOs) Howard of Crossville, Tennessee was annoyed at Isley’s confident demeanor. 

“He is talking like he is Hercules, like he got all his wins by knockout,” Isley said. “He got, what, 20 wins and 11 KOs.”

Howard, 30, responded, “You’re 13-0 with five knockouts, and you’re talking about a knockout ratio.” 

Isley fired back, “I am going to stop you though.”

“He keeps interrupting,” Howard said. “We’re going to square up on Friday, bro. I’ll be there,”

“I want you to be there,” Isley replied.

Howard, whose last official result was a majority decision over Raul Solomon in August 2023, had been largely inactive since a unanimous decision loss to Ian Green in November 2021. This year, Howard participated in Team Combat League five times, which has kept him in the ring.

“They call me Hercules for a reason,” Howard said. “Everyone that comes forward, you going to get rocked, bro. It’s going to happen. He’s over here talking, but he can’t fight for you. You ain’t Keyshawn.”

“You’re going to see Friday night,” Isley said. “That’s why they call me the transformer.”

The 10-round co-main event is set to air on ESPN+.