Molly's Bio
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 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.
With these successes under her belt, Molly turned pro in 2004. She has experienced the same type of success as a pro as she did in the amateur ranks. Reunited with Ron Woodward as her head coach, Molly has a 60% knockout ratio and is widely considered one of the premier female fighters in the world. With almost 11 years working together, Molly and Coach Woodward are an undeniable force.
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.
Molly is currently ranked #2 in the world by the WBC, WBA, WIBF and the GBU. She also holds the WSBC Jr. Welterweight and Welterweight titles.
