Our COACHES
Ken Arutyunyan
ISU Head Coach
As Olympian and World Champion Coach, Ken Arutyunyan and his team at ISU aim to develop young and seasoned fighters ranging in amateur and professional boxing, both training and management. “We brought together a vast network of services to help aspiring athletes and their families progress in reaching personal and professional goals. Through the help of our generous donors and sponsors, we have hosted private and professional events worldwide, giving our young athletes a fighting chance in and beyond the ring.” Initially moving from Armenia, Coach Ken has dedicated his skills for over 34 years to many professional sports, including Boxing, Wrestling, MMA, Muay Thai, Judo, Karate, Gymnastics, and Fitness, and he was the first ever to introduce and host DRAKA into the United States. *Today, he is proud to build on all the accomplishments achieved throughout the years to develop ISU’s boxing community in boxing training and athlete management. Coach Ken also played a significant role in the success of its Non-Profit Foundation work since 2008 by providing gym amenities, training, and lodging to unsupported, unsheltered, and underserved young or old community members.
Achievements:
Ken has owned four gyms in the past 30 years, founded the first ISU in 1990, and created a prestigious and trusted backbone for ISU and its new location. He was the national head coach for 15 years. He has had many pro fighters and has trained world champions like VIC Darchinyan (8-time world champion) and pros like Ferdinand Kerobian and Petros Ananyan. Two of his students won the 2016 state nations when there is typically only one winner on an Olympic team of 8.
Alex Ilyaich
ISU Coach
Coach Alex Ilyaich is a highly experienced martial arts and boxing instructor with a distinguished career. Having trained in karate from a young age and later transitioning to boxing, Alex has amassed a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the ring. A former amateur boxer with a notable record, Alex’s competitive spirit and unwavering dedication have shaped his approach to coaching. Despite facing numerous injuries throughout his career, including a significant eye injury, Alex’s resilience and passion for the sport have remained steadfast. Since joining ISU, Coach Alex has focused on training top heavyweight professionals, imparting his knowledge of fundamentals, fight preparation, and reaction time. His ability to effectively guide and motivate athletes of all levels is a testament to his exceptional coaching skills. Beyond his technical expertise, Coach Alex is renowned for his commitment to personal growth and development. He fosters a supportive and encouraging environment, helping students achieve their goals inside and outside the ring. With his extensive experience, proven track record, and dedication to his craft, Coach Alex is a valuable asset to the ISU community.
Awards & Achievements: Started training karate and kickboxing by 9 years of age, 2x kickboxing for Uzbekistan championships. By age 12, he started boxing, and in his amateur career, 13-19 78-8, he became a master of the sport. When he came to America, he fought from 1994 to 2000 and developed a pro record of 6-2 losses and four knockouts in welterweight. His astigmatism and a big cut from a match could lose his eye had him end his professional career—sparred guys like Shane Mosley, Oscar de la Hoya, and Hector Lopez. Freddie Roach called him “Sleeping Pill” because he hurt all the pro fighters.
Miguel Maldonado
ISU Coach
Inspiring Lives, One Punch at a Time
Coach Miguel Maldonado, a seasoned boxing and martial arts expert, has dedicated his life to empowering individuals through the transformative sport of boxing. With a storied amateur and professional career, Miguel has honed his skills both in the ring and as a mentor. Driven by a passion for helping others, Miguel has spent the past four years sharing his knowledge and expertise as a dedicated coach. His commitment to serving the community shines through as he works tirelessly to guide individuals of all ages and backgrounds toward their goals. Beyond the physical benefits of boxing, Miguel emphasizes the importance of discipline, self-respect, and mental fortitude. He believes these qualities, cultivated through training, can positively impact every aspect of a person’s life. Whether seeking self-defense, improved fitness, or a supportive community, Coach Miguel is committed to providing a personalized and empowering experience. Join him on this journey of personal growth and transformation here at ISU.
Awards & Achievements:
A student of the Legendary Freddy Roach and Coach Superman of Wildcard. Miguel holds his All-Time Record of 34-6 as an Armature and a 3-0 Pro with no losses.
Corey Jacoby
ISU Coach
Corey Jacoby currently holds a 9th degree black belt in tae kwon do and 8th degree black belt in kenpo karate. He started training at the age of 5, first learning boxing and karate under Bob Osman. At 9 years old, Corey started learning kenpo karate with Sensei Cecil Peeples, at 12 he began boxing and kickboxing with Sensei Benny Urquidez and later at 15 trained in tae kwon do and arnis stick fighting with Dan Devito. Corey has competed in boxing, kickboxing, and point karate and has won numerous championships and awards across all disciplines.
Corey has taken his extensive experience in martials arts and focused on teaching and coaching. He has taught boxing, kickboxing, and self defense to thousands of people. In 2020, Corey started Brass Knuckles Fighting, which focuses on his own style called American Stand Up. It is a unique blend of boxing, kickboxing, taekwondo, kenpo karate.
In Corey’s own words: “More than 40 years after I started learning martial arts, I’m still doing it today and it’s a core part of my life. I’ve met so many people through doing martial arts and have friends and mentors who I now consider family. More than anything I am passionate about teaching and coaching. I love empowering and helping people – people who’ve been bullied or abused – and help them stand up for themselves. I also love coaching my fighters – people who came to me not having ever thrown a punch to getting in the ring. The best part of everything I’ve learned in my life is giving back. Even though sometimes I teach for free and my wife yells at me, I still love to do it. I think this is my true purpose and mission in life.”
Achievements:
WKA and WKO world champion 3X. He is a Karate Hall of Famer, a Prestige 26 and 2 pro kickboxers, a 7-2 Pro boxer, and a 33-3 Armature. He also holds a 9th-degree black belt in Taekwondo.