Two-time Brazilian Olympian Keno Marley has signed with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and will make his professional debut as a cruiserweight this year, the promoter announced on Friday. Marley is the first Brazilian to sign with Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian's company, and the second Olympian. (The first was two-time Canadian Olympian and amateur world champion Tamm Thibeault, who signed in December 2024.)

The 24-year-old Marley reached the quarter-finals of both the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo (losing a narrow 3-2 decision to Ben Whittaker) and the 2024 Games in Paris. Additionally, he won a gold medal at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, and took silver at the 2019 and 2023 Pan-American Games and the 2021 world championships.

Marley, whose older brother was murdered in 2021, is also a third sergeant in the Brazilian Army, holds a university degree, and is in the process of adding another. He trains out of the Brazilian Olympic Training Center and is co-managed by Brazilian influencer Whindersson Nunes, who faced MVP’s Neeraj Goyat on the main card of Jake Paul's bout against Mike Tyson in November 2024.

“Keno Marley is a world class talent that has the potential to be a global star in boxing, like Anderson Silva was in MMA,” said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions, in a statement. “He’s already made history for Brazil, and now he’s ready to take over the pro ranks. Beyond his elite skillset and Olympic pedigree, Keno’s personal story is one of true perseverance—overcoming unimaginable loss, serving in the Brazilian Army, earning a degree in physical education, and currently pursuing a law degree, all while competing at the highest levels of amateur boxing. We’re proud to welcome him as our first Brazilian signee.”

“Signing with MVP is an important step in making a dream come true,” said Marley. “Now my focus is fully on making history and proving that Brazil has another boxing champion ready to take over the world.”