Khalil Coe was the biggest absence of the Olympic Trials in 2019, as the light heavyweight, Coe was one of the biggest punchers in amateur boxing accumulating multiple stoppages wins in international competition, which can best be summarized by his KO win over Julio Cesar La Cruz of Cuba to win the 2018 Chemistry Cup.

Coe didn’t make it to the Olympic Trials, because he had a sadly common story for young men in rough neighborhoods throughout America, and saw 16-months of his life forced into a prison cell, as Coe had to think deeply what his next action would be once he was granted his freedom back.

“A guy tried to rob me pretty much, and I defend myself, and disarmed him” said Coe. “I didn’t call it in or return the pistol to the police so I was charged with possession of a weapon and I ended up sitting 16-months for it.”

Coe, a generational puncher, who faced some adversity, but now is back – and on Saturday, May 29 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada, live worldwide on DAZN, turns pro with a promoter in hand, Matchroom USA, and a manager afoot, in Keith Connelly.

“My mom put me in boxing, I was fighting in the streets,” said Coe about his early days in the sport. “This will be my first fight in almost two years.”

Coe is one of the most heavily anticipated pro debuts in some time since the Jersey City, New Jersey-native made a huge splash on the scene as an amateur and then disappeared just as suddenly. Now everyone is watching to see how his debut goes, as Coe looks to be a story of redemption.

Coe’s opponent, Nathaniel Tadd (2-4, 1KO), is outgunned in every way possible, losing most of his fights to lesser competition on club shows in the south, but that being said Tadd has gone 21 professional rounds more than Coe, and anything can happen in a fight.

Coe’s story could resonate with many fans if it plays out the right way, and his power could be generational, although we will have to see how he looks as a pro, but my gut feeling tells me he has a chance to be a top-10 power puncher of this decade if things fall into place.

What draws me to Coe’s story is even through the adversity he wants to give back to his community and be a symbol of hope, and we need more symbols of hope in an area, in which stupidity is often rewarded, not sincerity.