Molly McConnell, 139, 5’6",  who turned pro after having a long and successful amateur career, is one of the most talented up-and-coming boxers on the scene today! McConnell reigns out of Portland, Oregon, under the tutelage of training coach Bill Meartz.

From 2000 through 2001, McConnell fought 10 bouts, at 147 lbs, and was 10-0 with 4 RSC’s (TKO’s). In 2002, McConnell’s level of competition stepped up and she went down to the 139 lb. Division. On April 25, 2002, McConnell stopped Angelina Summerfield, USMC in the first round. At the 2002 Women’s National Championships, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on July 30, she lost a tiebreaker to Jill Emery, of New York.

Emery was a two-time National Champion. McConnell also participated and won the 2002 Ringside tournament in Kansas City, MO, in which  on August 29, McConnell TKO1 Tawanna Martin, of Rapid City, SD. In the semi-finals of this event, on August 31, McConnell won a decision over Belinda Olivares, San Antonio, Texas with a (3-0) decision. In the finals on Sept.1, McConnell took on Amber Clausen, Pearce, Nebraska, where she stopped Clausen in the first round. Also, at the  2002 Women’s National Golden Gloves, at the Ramada Plaza, in Chicago, Illinois., McConnell defeated Angel Bovee, NY in the finals (Angel is the #1 woman boxer at 139).  WBAN’s "Ask The Trainer" Top amateur and pro boxing trainer Tom Moraetes told WBAN, "McConnell, 2002 National RINGSIDE AND GOLDEN GLOVES CHAMPION, is without a doubt the most impressive amateur boxer in the US at this time. I had the pleasure of seeing her box at the Ringside tournament and she is really special."

At the 29th Annual National PAL Boxing Championships, that was Presented by RINGSIDE, from September 20 - September 27, 2003, in Toledo, Ohio,  Molly McConnell finished her amateur career in great fashion with a 19-7 victory over Elizabeth Quevado, in the finals of the National P.A.L. tournament.

Coach Bill Mertz told WBAN, "Molly had lost to Quevado in the finals of the US Championships in July by a 13-11 score. It was one of the best bouts during the eight day event matching two of the heaviest punchers in women's boxing. Quevado had just returned from Russia where she beat the #1 woman in the World in Irina Sinetskaya."  Mertz went on the tell WBAN that McConnell is now the #1 amateur woman boxer in the USA at the welterweight class.

Molly was also chosen as WBAN's October 2002 Fighter of the month last year.

To check out Molly's pro record, go here!