Junior lightweight Jahmal Harvey is entering the professional ranks the same way he entered his first USA Boxing national tournament. 

Harvey recently signed with Most Valuable Promotions and will make his pro debut against Peru’s Marcelo Del Aguila in a six-round bout on August 22 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. 

Harvey hails from Oxon Hill, Maryland, the same city as his trainer, Darrell Davis, who operates Oxon Hill Boxing Club. Harvey, a 2024 US Olympian, was viewed as the blue-chip prospect of the Olympic team, and it was shocking to see him leave the Olympics without a medal. Initially, it was thought Harvey would compete in the 2028 Olympics, given social media posts last summer; however, he has opted to turn pro.

“I remember people telling us, the nationals were different and we couldn’t do this or that,” Davis said. “I still remember the doubt, and that fuels us.”

“I respect the professional level in all sports, boxing, NFL, NBA. I know we have done nothing in the pros. We are treating the pro debut like the first time we walked into nationals. I can’t say anything, because I have done nothing.”

Davis, a former quarterback at Charleston Southern University, had a limited amateur career of 12-1, but took his experience learning from football coaches to coach boxing. Davis will continue to oversee his amateur program, but admits he is now giving someone else the lead duties in running it on a day-to-day basis, as working with Harvey is becoming his priority. 

“Out of respect for the game and karma, I am going to let our work speak for itself,” Davis said. “We are entering this bout like we are fighting for a WBC belt.”

Davis would go on to become the Coach of the Month from USA Boxing in July 2017 and would win Gym of the Year in 2019. Davis recalled memories of losing to Chavez Barrientes at the 2017 national finals and then defeating him the following year and added: “We are going to be ready for whatever comes our way.”