There was a point where Gabriel Maestre believed the third time would be a charm in capturing an Olympic medal.

Like many affected by the delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, that dream is left behind in favor of furthering his pro career.

The 34-year-old Venezuelan was recently confirmed to headline the August 7 edition of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Fox, facing Canada’s Cody Crowley in a battle of undefeated welterweights. Confirmation of the fight date—which will air live from The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota—came on the heels of questions abound as to whether Maestre (3-0, 3KOs) would make the trip to Tokyo.

Maestre was to serve as captain of his nation’s Olympic boxing team for the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, only to step down from the role just ten days ahead of the start of competition, which runs July 24-August 8.

“It is difficult to write these lines after everything I have experienced,” Maestre stated in confirming his withdrawal from the 32nd Olympiad. “I have spent a lot of time reflecting in order to make the decision to end my time as an athlete and captain of the Venezuelan Boxing Team, especially at the gates of the Olympic Games.

“I feel that it is time to focus on what my professional career offers me, where I also defend our tricolor (Venezuela flag). On August 7, I have a tough battle against Cody Crowley that may allow me to continue dreaming about the possibility of achieving a world title for our country.”

Maestre will make his U.S. debut with the fight, which comes with an interim version of the WBA welterweight title at stake. The step up in class is in line with an ambitious schedule endured by Maestre since turning pro two years ago, after having previously represented Venezuela in 2012 London and 2016 Rio. He was eliminated in the quarterfinal round on both occasions, twice falling one win short of bringing home a medal.

Even among more than two dozen pros who will compete in the Olympics this summer. Maestre was a heavy favorite to advance to the medal round in the welterweight division. He will instead settle for pursuing the welterweight elite in the pro ranks.

“Defending Venezuela in an Olympic or other event has always been my source of pride and I have done it with the seriousness and responsibility that it merits. Thanks to this I have been able to play two Olympic Games and three Pan American Games.

I want to thank the directors, colleagues… the Venezuelan Boxing Federation, the Venezuelan Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Popular Power for Sports and all those who, to a greater or lesser extent, have helped me to be the boxer that I am today.”

Maestre was among four fighters from Venezuela who automatically qualified for competition following the cancellation of the 2021 Pan American Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament to have been held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fighters were instead granted Olympic berths based on a global ranking system.

With Maestre’s withdrawal, Argentina’s Brian Agustin Arregui—also a pro welterweight who is currently 2-0 (2KOs)—will now have the chance to compete in Tokyo.

Venezuela is now down to a three-man team, including Yoel Finol who medaled in 2016 Rio as a flyweight.

“I wish all the Venezuelan athletes who are going to represent us at Tokyo 2020 the best of success,” notes Maestre.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox