Boxer Biographies
photos by Rachelle Bigler-Conant

Amy Laboe       WATCH BIO INTERVIEW→     
Boxer and Trainer

Amy has been boxing as an amateur for six years. Her career began because she was searching for a new activity to keep herself in shape. She came to boxing and quickly fell in love with the sport. Amy was encouraged to begin sparring and eventually to compete. Now she has become a trainer for others and enjoys helping her fellow boxers to train for competition.

Amy is a certified USA Boxing Coach and Official. Besides boxing, Amy Laboe has competed in a variety of other sports. In her college career she competed in softball for the University of Notre Dame. She was elected team captain her senior year and received first team all Big East honors and team MVP. She then participated in the Women’s Professional Fast pitch League for the Durham Dragons for a short stint. Now that she has become a teacher, she hopes to pass on her love of sports to her students.

Becca Gilgen       WATCH BIO INTERVIEW→     
Boxer and Trainer

Becca began boxing 6 years ago. Since joining the boxing gym, Becca has helped build a youth program for young boxers. Her passion is working alongside youth, helping to develop not only their boxing skill, but also the personal courage, discipline and work ethic needed to be successful in the sport of boxing. In 2003 Becca became a USA Boxing certified trainer and coach. In 2004 Becca received her official’s accreditation. Along with her individual training and coaching, Becca has been ranked 6th in the nation by USA Boxing.

Prior to arriving in Minnesota, Becca was a student athlete for the University of Wisconsin. Four years of division competition has made Becca proficient at strength and conditioning training. This has proven to be an asset to the team. In 1999 Becca graduated with a degree in Sociology.

Overall, Becca’s commitment to the sport of boxing is just beginning. Her amateur status is important to her, and she believes that boxing will become much improved through the expansion of amateur boxing. She is committed to the growth of this sport through the hard work and discipline of boxers, and the honesty and integrity of_those who develop a new class of boxing athletes.

BECCA COACHES: TWIN CITIES BOXING GYM → 

Sarah Mickelson       WATCH BIO INTERVIEW→     
Boxer, Coach, and Assistant Gym Manager

When Sarah is not at the gym, she works for the Minneapolis Public Schools. She has 10 years of experience in working with children. In the schools, she assists in teaching special and standard education. She continues to be inspired by the diverse students of all ages and abilities.

Sarah never dreamt she would become a boxer, yet found her passion for the sport three months after the gym opened. She is currently a trainer and a coach. Since 1999, she has been training teens and adults. Sarah became immersed in all aspects of boxing competition in 2000. At age 34, her record stands at 4-1. Sarah recently found a new love in coaching amateur boxers. Sarah is a qualified Coach and Official through the USA Boxing Association. She has judged bouts for the USA Boxing Association and Upper Midwest Golden Gloves. She is currently training for her next endeavor; to compete at the 2005 Ringside International Tournaments.

Over the past eight years, the sport of boxing has challenged Sarah physically and mentally. It has also, had a profound and positive impact in many aspects of her life. She hopes to inspire and challenge others through her knowledge and passionfor the art of boxing.

Rachel Schley       WATCH BIO INTERVIEW→     
Boxer and Trainer

Rachel began boxing four years ago. At 19 years of age Rachel was not sure what women’s boxing would hold for her. After training for a year, Rachel took the next step and pursued her coaching certification through USA Boxing. She currently instructs yoga, plyometrics and boxing classes at the gym. Rachel also is a proficient personal trainer – focusing on bringing clients to their optimal performance.

Rachel grew up in southwest Minnesota. She came to the Twin Cities to pursue a degree from the International Institute of Arts. She has since left school to become more integrated into the Minneapolis Arts community. Rachel currently is focused on competing in the 2005 Ringside Tournament. Her commitment to the sport of women’s boxing reflects her desire to build a better reputation for women’s boxing throughout the United States.

Rachel opened her own boxing gym.
BELIEVER's BOXING GYM → 

Dagney Willey     
Boxer and Teen Coach

Dagney has been boxing since 2002. Since she has begun boxing she has experienced four amateur bouts boasting four wins and zero losses. Dagney has also played an important role in building the Teen Program. In 2005 Dagney is one of the youngest registered USA Coach and Official in the Midwest.

Aside from boxing Dagney has a long tradition of competitive athleticism in the sport of hockey. This fall she will be heading the University of Minnesota to play for the current two time National Champions the Golden Gophers. She is a bulldog on the ice and in the ring and is looking forward to June 11th amateur card, which will be the last bout of her 2005 boxing season. Dagney will take an active role in supporting the team through the June and July preparation training for the Ringside Tournament in August.

Gina Campbell
Coach and Trainer

Gina has been with the boxing gym for 8 years. She was the first female fighter out of the gym to compete the Upper Midwest Golden Gloves. With her experience training for 18 and competing in 6 bouts, she is a key component in preparing the fight team. Although she doesn’t compete anymore, she continues to develop new boxers, train personal clients outside of Uppercut Gym.

Gina currently holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Pedro Saver and is working towards her purple belt. She holds certifications in yoga, pilates, weight training, heart rate training, and is versed in explosive strength training, plyometrics, speed & agility training for high school and college athletes. Gina is always looking to expand her knowledge and continues her growth as a trainer and athlete.

Lisa Bauch       WATCH BIO INTERVIEW→     
Gym Owner

Lisa began her training in 1993 at a small nonprofit gym in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During her exploration into the sport of boxing Lisa traveled to Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn, NY. She quickly set out to open a gym where the sport of boxing was available to people not traditionally being served within the sport. Lisa used her experience in personal training and fitness in combination with her growing knowledge of boxing to open Uppercut Gym.

Now a gym owner, Lisa has difficulty finding time for her own training. She helps to train Anthony “The Bullet” Bonsante (NBC Contender Contestant, 2003 IBA World Super Middle Weight Champion) . Servel women have developed as boxers, coaches and officals because of the opportunities provided at Uppercut gym. These women continue to provide opportunities for women and girls in boxing at the various gyms they now train with.