Meet the Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Jacque
Manager/Amateur Team Coach
Jacque is a certified USA Boxing Coach and a Certified Personal Trainer and Performance Enhancement Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She competed for the UW Boxing Club all four years of college, where she was a four-time NCBA All-American, a three-time NCBA national and regional champion, and a Washington State Golden Gloves champion. She continues to train under Coach Ricardo Acuna, competing in over 30 fights. She was a group fitness instructor at the UW IMA and a boxing instructor at MKG Martial Arts, and continues to use her boxing skills and previous work experience to create classes and private training sessions focused on strength training, conditioning, and boxing technique. Jacque co-coaches the amateur team with fellow SBG trainer, Francisco, and is available for private training.
Emil
Emil, a Seattle native, is a homegrown product of Seattle Boxing Gym, transitioning from member to coach. His coaching journey began assisting in a local pro fighter's training camp. Since then, he has participated in several pro fighters' camps, including SBG trainer Shae Green's.Now a certified USA Boxing Coach, Emil works with numerous professional and competitive amateur boxers. He has competed as an amateur fighter and trained employees/instructors at a local fitness/boxing gym. Before joining Seattle Boxing Gym, Emil taught private group boxing classes around Seattle.
Emil works with boxers of all levels and offers private training, leveraging his diverse experience in the sport.
Carla
Founder
Coach Carla Wilcox is a former professional boxer, a Lifestretch Certified Instructor, and the original founder and owner of Seattle Boxing Gym. For over 20 years she has coached people from all walks of life (business leaders, entrepreneurs, musicians, artists and athletes) through the art and practice of boxing. Through her heart-centered philosophy she continues to guide people through their perceived limitations and on a journey to become the greatest version of themselves.
Simona
Born in Latvia, Simona moved to the U.S. at 15 and quickly made her mark in amateur boxing. She started training in 2019 with the University of Washington Boxing Club, winning NCBA regional and national titles. In 2023, Simona was named Most Outstanding Female Boxer. Her accolades keep mounting - recent wins include the Washington Golden Gloves and USA Elite National Championships. She is Currently ranked #1 in the U.S. at 139 lbs. Prior to SBG, she taught boxing at Emerald City Boxing Gym. Now she trains under Coach Acuna while assisting the UW Boxing Club.
Simona offers group classes and private training at SBG.
Elizer (El)
Prior to SBG, Elizer worked as a personal trainer specializing in weight training and athletic performance. He also served as an assistant basketball coach for Renton Select and Northwest Prodigy teams. Elizer has a diverse athletic background including playing competitive basketball, football, and (more recently) boxing. He is actively pursuing other training certifications with the National Academy of Sports Medicine for Performance Enhancement and Corrective Exercise to expand his knowledge of boxing and sports performance training. Elizer brings a purposeful, well-rounded perspective honed through years as an athlete and coach. His goal is to help clients maximize their potential.. He is available for group and private training.
Francisco
Amateur Team Coach
A native of Rio de Janeiro, Cauã (Francisco) discovered his passion for boxing at 18, training under Coach Ricardo Acuna. He achieved a 4-0 amateur record before shifting his focus to coaching. A USA Boxing certified coach, Francisco has served as an assistant for Coaches Acuna and Ines, including at the 2023 Olympic Trials. Prior to boxing (and starting at the age of 6), he competed in martial arts including Taekwondo, Jiu Jitsu, and Capoeira. At age 19, he won the Washington State Championship in Taekwondo. He co-coaches SBG' amateur team alongside Jacque and is available for group classes and private sessions.
Angel
Angel was born in Yakima WA, and grew up in Renton, WA. He started boxing at age 11 under the tutelage of Coach Mario Rodriguez at Azteca Boxing Gym. He competed in 13 amateur fights before retiring from competition in 2019. Angel is now focused on coaching, with a long-term goal of working with competitive youth fighters. He is currently in college studying business at UW with hopes of one day opening his own gym. Angel is available for both group classes and private training.
Martin
Martin has worked on and off as a trainer since he retired from his professional boxing career in 2005 . He holds an impressive professional record of 25-5-1. He fought many notable fighters including former lightweight champion Juan Diaz. Prior to going pro, he had a prolific amateur career (47-9) (including a fight against Flloyd Mayweather Jr.): He racked up four Tacoma Golden Glove Championships, three Las Vegas Golden Glove Championships, a Junior Olympics National Championship, a silver medal in the 1994 National Golden Gloves, and more. He also served as a sparring partner for world champions Shane Mosley, Roberto Garcia, and Genaro Hernandez. Martin helps with the SBG’s Sunday sparring and is also available for private training.
Jeremiah
Hailing from Athens, Georgia, Jeremiah's boxing journey began at Statesboro Boxing Club while attending Georgia Southern University. He has since competed across the country, amassing an impressive 16-4 amateur record to date. He competed in the 2019 Olympic Qualifier Trials and is training to do it again in 2023. Jeremiah is enrolled in college working towards his bachelor’s degree in Education. He leads the youth classes every Saturday and Sunday. He is available for group classes, private training, and assists with Sunday open sparring.
Jon
Jon was born in Virginia and spent 20 years in Brooklyn NY before moving to Seattle in 2020. He has over 10 years of experience as a boxing coach (working at various gyms in New York) in addition to being a NASM and NCSF certified personal trainer. After injuries derailed his basketball ambitions in 2009, Jon turned to boxing. He started boxing at Zaragoza Boxing Gym in Brooklyn, and trained at multiple gyms under the tutelage of multiple coaches including Yoel & Zab Judah. He competed in six amateur bouts (winning the Long Island Championship) as well as 22 professional fights ( at one time ranked the number 32 heavyweight in the US.) Prior to boxing, Jon was a standout high school, JUCO, and college basketball player. He is available for group classes and private training.
Alexis
Pro Boxer
Alexis is a professional boxer from Federal Way, Washington. He started boxing at the age of 8 and has since trained at Azteca Boxing Club under Coach Mario Rodriguez. Alexis has over 100 amateur fights and has recently transitioned to the professional ranks. As an amateur, he won the Adidas National Pal Tournament in 2015, placed #6 nationally in 2021, and secured a #2 national ranking at the National Golden Gloves in 2022. In 2023, he won his professional debut by TKO and has a 3-0 record to date. Alexis enjoys sharing his boxing knowledge and passion for the sport. He is available for classes and private training.
Ricardo
Coach Acuna is a pro and amateur boxing coach and manager. He helped pioneer the University of Washington Boxing Club and continues to be instrumental to the team today. As part of the UW coaching staff, he coached/trained/mentored the three-time NCBA National Champion women's team, the first Olympic trial contender/qualifier from the UW Boxing Club (Richard Vansiclen, runner-up), regional and state Golden Gloves champions, and he is the Golden Glove champion coach of the 2017-2018 season in the Northwest. He started in the sport of Tae Kwon Do at the age of nine in Guadalajara, Mexico. After achieving a black belt, he moved onto the sport of boxing, where he competed at the amateur and professional level.
Shae
Pro Boxer
Shae Green is a professional boxer from Mannheim, Germany, who discovered his passion for boxing at the age of 15. With 14 years of boxing experience, including 9 years as an amateur and 7 years as a pro, Shae's talent flourished under the guidance of Olympian and former world champion Brian 'Hawaiian Punch' Viloria. He has competed in 20 amateur fights and has an impressive professional record of 8 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw in 10 bouts. Shae fought for Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions and trained alongside other Hall of Fame fighters such as Shane Mosley and James Toney. As a coach, Shae holds a professional boxing and coaching license. He has worked as a trainer at Seattle Boxing Gym, Churchill Boxing Gym, and as an assistant coach for 3-time world champion David Benavidez. Shae brings his passion for boxing to both his group classes and private training.
Jose
Jose is a NCSF certified personal trainer who joined SBG in 2022 after starting boxing in 2021. In his multifaceted role, he serves as front desk staff, class assistant coach, private trainer, and resident sparring partner. Jose also holds adult and pediatric First Aid/CPR certifications. Jose is pursuing NCSF Sports Nutrition and Strength Coach certifications. His passions include teaching powerlifting and pre-hab (injury prevention) training. Jose hopes to compete in amateur boxing soon. He is available for group classes and private training.
Joey
Joey, a Seattle native that joined the SBG team in May 2022, and has been a valuable member since. He has come a long way, starting as a member in 2017 and working his way up to become a trainer. His passion lies in teaching the fundamentals of boxing and punch mechanics, making him the perfect coach for beginner boxing classes and private clients who are new to the sport. In his free time, you can find Joey sparring/training at the gym, riding his motorcycle, relaxing at home, or working on his budding web design business. He is available for both Beginner Boxing classes and Private Training, bringing his passion for boxing to every session.
Ron
Ron, a Logistics Officer in the U.S. Army from Bremerton, WA, has been with SBG since 2021. In his multifaceted role, he teaches classes, works the front desk, offers private training, and serves as a willing sparring partner. Ron has a deep love for boxing that started when he was 16 years old. He has trained with UW Boxing, Cappy's Boxing Gym, and SBG. Ron has competed in exhibition sparring and is working towards showcasing his skills and tenacity in the ring at a sanctioned amateur event. He is available for classes and private training.
Our Story
Seattle Boxing Gym was founded back in 1990 by Coach Carla Wilcox. It was born from a passion for boxing and a desire to create a supportive fitness community. Seattle has a strong boxing culture when it comes to fighters and clubs and we are happy to be one of its pioneers. We’ve come a long way in 30 years, from being an underground institution to now having a 5,500+ square foot gym has everything you need whether you are already a fighter, want to become one, or are just looking to stay in shape.
Join our inclusive community of like-minded fitness enthusiasts. The energy and friendly competition will drive you to new levels of excellence while forging friendships in and out of the gym.