USA Boxing Certified Coaches Scottsdale & Mesa AZ — Onyx Boxing
Meet the Coaches
Every Onyx Boxing coach holds a certified USA Boxing credential — the highest standard in the sport. No exceptions. These are the people who will push you further than you thought possible.
Coach Steve
Steve is the founder of Onyx Boxing and has been training and coaching boxing for over 20 years. He opened Onyx Scottsdale in March 2021 with a singular mission: build a world-class fitness boxing community around certified USA Boxing coaching. His training philosophy is rooted in authentic technique — every punch, every combination, every movement with purpose. Steve leads both locations and is the driving force behind the Onyx culture.
Coach Valerie
Valerie has been with Onyx since day one, bringing high energy and heart to every class. Her go-to playlist is hip hop because the vibe just hits different for boxing, but she's always open to requests. Her favorite combo is a 1-2-3-2 — smooth, fast, and finishes strong. What she loves most is watching confidence and strength grow, both mentally and physically, in every person she works with. A proud mom of two, she lives by the mindset that movement is medicine.
Coach Basil
Basil's path to boxing wasn't a straight line — he spent years in Ken-po and Krav Maga before boxing offered a fulfillment those arts couldn't match. He started training under Steve seven years ago and was here from the day Onyx opened in 2021. His favorite combo is 1-2-5-4, loving how each strike torques the body perfectly for the next. When he's not at the gym you'll find him playing drums with his band Vinyl Destination, chasing his kids around, or working on his next entrepreneurial project.
Coach Shea
Shea has been a trainer at Onyx since 2022. Originally from Texas, she now calls Scottsdale home. Outside of the gym she's a registered nurse with experience in cardiovascular ICU and the Emergency Department. Her classes are a nonstop party — high-energy pop, EDM remixes, and rap to keep you moving. Her favorite combo is 1-2-5-2 slip 2-3-2. She wants everyone to leave feeling like the best version of themselves, having fun while getting a great workout in.
Coach Sporti
Sporti is a high-energy coach who loves to make people laugh. His favorite combos are 5-6-3-4 and his playlist pulls from Linkin Park, Eminem, and Lady Gaga. What fulfills him most about Onyx is making someone's workout something they genuinely look forward to — because exercising routinely is hard, and being a reason someone is excited to better themselves is something special. Outside the gym he's taking his wife out for fun date nights, chilling, and grilling.
Coach Kayleen
Coach Kay found her purpose through boxing. What started as an outlet during a dark time became something that truly changed her life — and now she's passionate about helping others build confidence and grow. Her go-to playlist is high-energy hip-hop, throwbacks, and EDM, and her favorite combo is 1-2-3 roll 5-3-2. Onyx fills her cup because it's more than a gym — it's a space where people challenge themselves, let go of stress, and become stronger versions of themselves.
Coach Josh
Born in Albuquerque, Josh moved to Phoenix in 2020 and found Onyx in 2023 while getting his life back on track. He trained at competitive MMA gyms when he was younger, so Onyx was a breath of fresh air — real boxing in a place his wife could learn as a total newbie. Since then they've both lost weight and built great friendships. His favorite combo is 6-3-4 roll out. Outside the gym you'll find him at coffee shops, exploring new restaurants, or catching a music festival.
Coach Issam
Born and raised in Jerusalem, Palestine, Issam began his journey in combat sports as a young child through boxing and karate. After moving to the United States in his teens he expanded into MMA, earning a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while adding Judo and Muay Thai to his striking arsenal. A member of the Onyx coaching team for three years, he has earned both the Most Improved Award and the Sixth Man Award. Training with Issam means a high-energy environment where technical precision meets serious physical challenge.
Coach Steve
Steve is the founder of Onyx Boxing and has been training and coaching boxing for over 20 years. He opened Onyx Scottsdale in March 2021 with a singular mission: build a world-class fitness boxing community around certified USA Boxing coaching. His training philosophy is rooted in authentic technique — every punch, every combination, every movement with purpose. Steve leads both locations and is the driving force behind the Onyx culture.
Coach Julie
Julie has been boxing at Onyx for about three years and fell in love with the classes and community right away — so joining the team when the Mesa location opened only felt right. She's all about heavy music with a good breakdown: Idles, Run the Jewels, and Linkin Park. In class she loves throwing long, challenging combos, especially ones with a double hook for power. Outside the gym you'll find her traveling, going to concerts, and finding new ways to stay active.
Coach Sporti
Sporti is a high-energy coach who loves to make people laugh. His playlist pulls from Linkin Park, Eminem, and Lady Gaga. His favorite combo is 5-6-3-4. What fulfills him most about Onyx is making someone's workout something they genuinely look forward to — exercising routinely is hard, and being a reason someone is excited to better themselves is something special.
Coach Jonathon
Jonathon brings a calm, focused energy to every class at Onyx Mesa. A USA Boxing certified coach, he's passionate about breaking down the fundamentals and helping members of all levels build real boxing skill. His approach is technical and deliberate — he believes that when the fundamentals are locked in, everything else follows.
Coach Rhea
Rhea brings positive energy and genuine care to every session at Onyx Mesa. A USA Boxing certified coach, she focuses on helping members build confidence through movement and technique. Her classes are encouraging, high-energy, and designed to make you leave feeling accomplished — no matter where you started.
Coach Brandon
Originally from South Carolina, Brandon has been in Arizona since 2007. He's passionate about helping people through technical fitness and skill development. His favorite combo is a 1-2 slip body-3 or roll-3. He chose Onyx because it's personable — it gives him the opportunity to build real relationships and grow alongside the people around him. Outside the gym he's playing football, making music, coaching high school athletes, watching anime, or spending time with family.
USA Boxing
Certified
At Onyx Boxing, every coach on our floor holds an active USA Boxing certification. This isn't optional — it's a non-negotiable part of who we are and the standard we hold ourselves to.
Building the Next Generation of Coaches
Onyx Boxing University is how we grow our own. It's our in-house coaching-development and certification program — the pathway that turns dedicated members into certified, authentic Onyx Boxing coaches. Everyone who represents Onyx is trained the Onyx way: real technique, real standards, real community. Meet our newest interns below.
Meet Our Newest Interns
The next generation of Onyx Boxing coaches — now in training at both locations.
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