Meet the Team
“The trainers, they believe in you more than you would ever imagine. That’s the type of gym everyone needs to be a part of.”
-Yesenia Mendoza, JMBA Member
Our teams’ main focus is YOUR goal. We thrive on making each day a different workout, NO DAY IS EVER THE SAME! Our trainers have a collective 50 YEARS of experience in boxing, both competing and training, and some are still active today. We are well-versed in weight training and cardio exercises. Therefore, our boxing academy offers a variety of workouts that push you both physically and mentally.
OWNER AND COACH
JOSE MORALES
“I guarantee that after you train with me you will not only love the workout – you’ll love the sport of boxing.”
I am a veteran of 58 amateur boxing bouts and first began training boxers in 2006, working with adults and teenagers. I strive to help members stay healthy, lose weight, compete, build confidence, or simply learn the science of boxing. I work with a variety of clients – from 4-year-olds to 70-year-olds, average Joes, blue-collar, soccer moms, troubled teens, honor roll kids, amateur boxers, professional boxers, school teachers and everything in between. No matter who you are, I can cater training to each individual. I adapt to each client’s style and will modify workouts to accommodate injuries, weaknesses, strengths, dislikes, and likes so that everyone can learn how to box.
GYM MANAGER
KELLY CHAVEZ
“Never in a million years did I picture myself in a boxing ring! I wish I would have come across a boxing gym like this when I was overweight. It definitely would have helped me with my physical problems and I would have avoided all the mental drains that the bullying caused. Boxing definitely has built my confidence and has shown me things I did not even know about myself. It’s not just a workout – there are life lessons learned in the boxing gym.”
Kelly was born and raised in Sacramento. As a kid, she struggled with obesity and was bullied about her weight. Weight loss has always been a struggle for her, but boxing has helped her not only physically, but also mentally. As a four-foot-ten, singing in the shower, Disney-loving 24-year old woman, she may not seem like someone you’d see in the ring or managing a boxing gym. However, she puts her Bachelor’s degree in Economics and 8 years of customer service to use and proudly proclaims to love her job.
ASSISTANT GYM MANAGER
Dina Andrade
Dina is a Sacramento native. She loves a good challenge and has been with the gym since 2016. Firstly, she fell in love with the sport and then fell in love with the entire community at JMBA. She is a dedicated and loyal employee with only have had one other employer previous to working for Jose and JMBA. Dina is a proud member of her church for over 15-years.
“I want to contribute to communities that are making a real difference in people’s lives and the sport (ie. Warrior Program). I feel like I can do that here. “
ASSISTANT GYM MANAGER
Mariana Morrison
Raised in the Sacramento area, I loved playing volleyball and competing in track and field. I have always loved being in an athletic atmosphere. After graduating high school, I felt misplaced without belonging to a team sport. I was blessed to find JMBA, where I am able to stay active while having the opportunity to
learn a new passion. I have been training for a year at JMBA and I love being a part of a place that promotes the physical and mental state of their members. I feel grateful for JMBA and their personal investment to each individual’s growth. JMBA became the perfect place to find a positive outlet that provided me the tools to become a confident boxer. Outside of working at the gym, I am also attending Sierra College.
TRAINER & PRO BOXER
DAVID MELGOZA
“My varied background in boxing and fitness provides the perfect foundation for leading group exercise classes at The Boxing Academy. My personal passion for this sport enables me to motivate each person in my class to work hard and achieve their fitness goals.”
David is a standout Track and Field athlete with 4 years’ experience as a High School Track/Cross Country coach. He has 20 years of boxing experience and has been working as a boxing coach since 2005. David is an active professional boxer, going 5-0 with 2 knockouts.
TRAINER & AMATEUR BOXER
ALEX MARIN
TRAINER & AMATEUR BOXER
Dante Reynoso
TRAINER & AMATEUR BOXER
Madeline Days
TRAINER
Charles Leroy
TRAINER & AMATEUR BOXER
Jack Firenze-tessendorff
Jack, better known as Southpaw Jack or Coach SPJ, grew up living, as he puts it, the “White Picket Fence” lifestyle… A supportive family, big house, thriving friend group, good schools, and financial ability to attend his favorite summer camps and take a vacation or two every year with his family. Not quite the image or story you’d imagine when you think of a boxer. In other words, Jack was raised to “fit-in.”
With that being said, his latter teenage years were a struggle, as he never faced significant challenges in his childhood. The only life he knew was the easy life. In turn, this made it hard for him to take on even nominal tasks in everyday life.
Nevertheless, Jack was blessed with a colorful imagination and along with that came big dreams for his future. Dreams attainable only by a man of strong character, unbreakable will, steadfast determination, and unwavering dedication. Jack knew he had to break away from the plush comfort zone he’d grown so accustomed to.
So away he broke… Of all the disciplines he has taken on over the years including Real Estate, Coaching, Public Speaking, Podcasting, and more, Boxing has been one of, if not the most crucial part of his journey up until this point. Many of his greatest moments of internal growth occur in the ring.
At age 20, Jack dedicated himself to the lifelong process of building the man he idolized. And that man goes by the name of SOUTHPAW JACK! The ability to help members of JMBA bring out this man or woman in themselves is what drives him to show up and show out everyday. He couldn’t be more excited to meet you!
ASSISTANT COACH
RaymonD Romero-Stafford
As a youth, I found Boxing at a pivotal moment in my life that truly redirected my trajectory. I competed in over 60 amateur bouts and have remained active in the sport throughout my life. I believe that Boxing offers life lessons like no other sport as it will teach you that “no one can do life for you, once you step in the ring, you must rely on yourself and preparation.” In addition to Boxing, I transitioned over to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 20 years ago and hold the rank of Black Belt.
My Experience as a Coach
As a father of 3 boys, I have been a dedicated volunteer Coach (“Coach Ray”) within the Roseville community for 20 years. I have enjoyed every aspect of coaching sports such as Baseball, Wrestling and Football but my passion and heart has always remained with Boxing. I am a dedicated family man that enjoys time with my wife, riding dirt bikes with one of my sons and our youngest “Romero” is an active USA Boxing competitor on the JMBA team. I am really excited to be a part of the Coaching Staff at JMBA and a part of all of the member’s Boxing Journey!
testimonials
“For anyone on the fence about working out, this is the place to start. The staff is absolutely amazing. I can’t say enough about how kind and helpful they are. The people that you workout with are nice and there’s a family atmosphere here. Even if you never thought boxing was for you, try it! I never thought I’d enjoy this as much as I do. It’s hard, but it’s so worth it.”
“JMBA keeps me motivated and excited to work out and train. They have helped me set goals and stay on track. I love and appreciate the efforts of the staff and trainers. They help me reach my fitness goals.”
“My sons have been going to this gym for two years now. They have come such a long way and they love to box and workout. The coaches are so encouraging and they have such a love for boxing it pours out of them and into the students. I thank them for being positive role models in my sons lives and making us feel welcome as a family.”