Meet MBA's trainers and coaches 

Molly McConnell, Owner, Head Coach

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, Certified Sports Nutritionist, Certified USA Boxing Coach, Licensed Manager/Matchmaker

In 1999, Molly McConnell walked into the Grand Avenue Boxing Gym in Portland, Oregon for the first time, and her love affair with the sport of boxing began. 

After a few weeks of participation in a women’s boxing fitness program, Molly was approached by coach Ron Woodward and invited to train with him to compete as an amateur boxer. Molly was an eager student and a quick study, and within a couple of months she competed in her first amateur bout. Within a year, Woodward had led Molly to several state championship titles, including both the Oregon and Washington State Golden Gloves. Molly’s great potential and hard punching style led Woodward to urge her to begin training with Bill Meartz at the West Portland Boxing Gym. Meartz has worked with countless national champions and US Olympians and is regarded as one of the best amateur boxing coaches in the country. 

In 2001, Molly began her studies with Meartz and world renowned boxing coach, Leonard Trigg and her amateur career took off. She quickly earned a reputation for her piston like jab and her impressive power in both hands. Under Meartz’s expert guidance, Molly went on to win four amateur national championship titles. She took a bronze medal at the 2002 National PAL Championships and won the Women’s National Golden Gloves, becoming the first person from Oregon (male or female) to take home a National Golden Gloves championship in 18 years. She also won the Ringside World Championship Tournament , scoring three stoppages in her four fights. In 2003, Molly took a silver medal at the US Women’s Championships in a fight that was decided by one point. She also took a silver medal at the National Golden Gloves in a highly controversial decision. She went on to win the National PAL Championship and repeated as the champ at the Ringside World Tournament. She ended 2003 as the number one ranked amateur welterweight in the country for two years in a row.

With these successes under her belt, Molly turned pro in 2004. She experienced the same type of success as a pro as she did in the amateur ranks. Woodward rejoined the team and with Ron and Coach Trigg at the helm, Molly maintained a 60% knockout ratio and was widely considered one of the premier female fighters in the world. Working her way up the ranks,  in 2011 Molly finally achieved her goal of becoming a professional World Champion, winning both the WIBF and GBU jr. welterweight titles. She retired a veteran of 64 fights, including a professional record of 16-2.

Molly has twice been named WBAN fighter of the month and as a pro, was selected as the WBAN rookie of the year. She was also nominated for the prestigious Oregon Sports Awards Harry S. Glickman Professional Female Athlete of the Year, presented by NIKE. She also held the WSBC Jr. Welterweight and Welterweight titles and both the WIBF and GBU Jr. Welterweight World Championship titles. In 2019, she was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame as the first female inductee in the sport of boxing.

In 2012, Molly decided to open her own boxing academy after being involved with coaching both amateur boxers and professional boxers and MMA fighters for over 15 years. The gym has a variety of non-contact boxing fitness classes geared toward fitness enthusiasts and busy professionals alike. McConnell's Boxing Academy also has an amateur boxing team as well as training for professional fighters. This is not your average boxing gym! At McConnell's, the focus is on teaching proper technique, conditioning, and the science of boxing. The programs stress a strong foundation of the basics and building your skill set one piece at a time. The classes are  fun and encouraging and the instruction is world class. In 2017, MBA was awarded the Willamette Week’s Best in Portland crown. Whether your goal is weight loss, better overall conditioning, endurance, confidence, competition, or just getting a great workout in a clean, professional environment, this is your spot! All fitness levels are welcome and NO experience is necessary. All coaches are USA Boxing certified and McConnell's Boxing Academy is a proud member of the Lloyd District small business association and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

-Two-time Professional World Boxing Champion
-Four-time Amateur National Champion
-Two-time Ringside Amateur World Tournament Gold Medalist
-NIKE Harry S. Glickman professional female athlete of the year finalist

-2019 Oregon Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
-Certifed USA Boxing Amateur Coach 

-Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

-Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist

-Certified Sports Nutritionist

Denise McConnell,

Co-owner, Assistant Coach, Head Sports Nutrition Specialist, Certified USA Boxing Coach

Denise McConnell is an assistant coach (USA Boxing Certified) and co-owner at McConnell's Boxing Academy and has been involved in the sports of boxing and kick boxing for over 10 years. Denise played collegiate level volleyball and studied kick boxing under acclaimed instructor and former European champion Jean Carillo.  Denise provides clients with excellent instruction and  works with a lot of our beginning clients to get them familiar with the basics of boxing. She also works extensively with our competition team as an assistant coach, nutritional specialist and mitt holder extraordinaire and is always eager to answer questions and help our clients grow in any way she can.

Josh Herman,

Assistant Head Coach, Certified USA Boxing Coach, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Master’s Team Head Coach, Professional Cut Man

Josh Herman comes to Portland via Ventura County, California (we forgive him) and has been a life long boxing enthusiast and a student of boxing history. Josh grew up watching boxing and started training in his mid-teens. Josh has honed his craft at several high- profile gyms and fought under Head Coach Molly McConnell. He is the assistant head coach for our competition team and works with all of our amateur and professional boxers. He also runs the Master’s Boxing Team and was the Master’s Boxing Champion in 2025! He is available for private lessons and small group training. Josh is patient and articulate and works with people of all skill and fitness levels. He strives to bring out the best in every athlete he works with. He centers his teaching philosophy on proper footwork, technique and focused mitt work and is USA Boxing certified. When Josh isn’t in the gym, you can usually find him hanging out with his son Henry, playing guitar, or building and riding custom motorcycles. You will also find him in the corners at all of the pro boxing events as the premier cut man in the Northwest!

Shea Stokes,

Certified USA Boxing Coach, Certified Functional Movement Trainer

Shea has been with team MBA since 2016 and has an extensive background in both boxing and martial arts. He began his martial arts journey in his hometown of Kauai, Hawaii and has trained in multiple disciplines in both Oregon and Hawaii. In addition to earning a black sash under Sifu John Knutsen and a black belt under Sabum Tony Gardner, he has also trained under Professor Leonard Trigg in both western style boxing and martial arts. Shea began his boxing career in 2012 and had a successful amateur career that included 15 bouts. He now competes in the Master’s Division with USA Boxing. Shea has a laid-back personality and is very patient and thorough. He pays attention to detail and loves the technical intricacies of boxing. When he’s not in the gym, you might find Shea lifeguarding and teaching surfing lessons at the Oregon Coast. In Hawaii, surfing is a way of life and Shea has been teaching it for over a decade. His interest in body movement and awareness led him on a journey to become a certified functional movement trainer as well as a certified Praxis Trainer and certified USA Boxing Coach. Shea is also currently training to become a massage therapist (busy guy!).  He has a knack for remodeling old homes and he and his wife love to travel the world as much as they can.

Brian Green,

Certified USA Boxing Coach, USA Boxing Level II Official

Coach B was born in Oakland, California. His mom was a nutritionist and personal trainer so his foundation in health, fitness, mindset and longevity was built long before entering the ring. He blends his years of experience with the analytical accuracy from his Silicon Valley education and tech career, ensuring every fighter moves with efficiency and intent. His approach replaces guess work with precision, focusing on clear communication and strategic execution to help build character, performance and discipline. Coach B is a lifelong learner, mentor and full-time cat dad with a reputation for bringing out the best in others. He believes quality performance requires both hard work and personality. He is a Certified USA Boxing coach and when he’s not in the gym you might catch him at the judge’s table as a level II USA Boxing official. You can also ask him where all the best vegan spots in Portland are!

Juan Rodriguez,

Certified USA Boxing Coach, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Certified Personal Trainer

Juan first took up an interest in boxing in the early 2000’s and found his way into the West Portland Boxing gym. He was fortunate enough to train with top amateur coach Bill Meartz. At the same time Juan’s boxing training was taking off, so was his career in the sport of technical rock climbing. Eventually the physical demands of both sports brought Juan to a cross-roads and he decided to pursue rock climbing full time. Juan became a competitor and an instructor and travelled the US and the world, both as a climber and as an instructor. Juan’s experiences offered him the opportunity to learn about the psychology of performance under pressure, the importance of fundamentals and the balance of the mind- body connection. In 2019, Juan reconnected with boxing and found his way into MBA where he trains with the competition team and also teaches. Juan also competes on our Master’s Team and won the 2025 and 2026 Master’s Championship! Juan is the head of our Strength and Conditioning program for all our professional and amateur boxers. He continues to grow his knowledge of boxing through his work with other coaches and his teammates. He still coaches rock climbing and is considered one of the best instructors in the area. Juan works with clients of all ages. When he’s not off scaling a cliff face somewhere or training at the gym, he’s off riding his motorcycle or training for a marathon!