In between going to school, baking from time to time, and hanging out with friends, senior Isaiah Chavez spends his time slipping on his boxing gloves and stepping into the ring. Whether it’s for an everyday practice match or a national championship, Chavez has dedicated hours to the sport, and it has started to pay off.
Chavez started boxing in 2018, around when he was in fifth grade, after being inspired by his Tio, who has a boxing gym of his own. He grew up as the middle child in between three other brothers who supported him alongside his father.
“My dad takes time out of his day to drive me all the way to LA to go practice, and he fundraises for me to compete at national tournaments,” Chaves said.
After he got into boxing at a young age, he learned to love it very quickly, and wanted nothing more than to get better at it. He started bouncing from gym to gym in order to get “different looks from different coaches” before he landed at his present club, Tins Boxing. He continuously improves and proved that in competition this past summer.
Chavez recently competed in Las Vegas in the Junior Olympic Summer Festival and managed to win his division and earn the Junior Olympic title, showcasing his dedication to the sport. He fought hard, and won three rounds against nationally ranked champions, earning his own national number two ranking.
This is no easy feat, as Chavez puts in the work. While you might find other students sleeping in as much as possible before school, you’ll find Chaves on a run, in the ring, or working out to improve himself as a boxer.
However, even with his hardcore boxing regime, he still finds time to do other things he loves, including cooking and baking. A diligent student in culinary, Chavez loves to bring home baked goods for his family and helps make dinner from time to time.
These hobbies offer him a different outlet for his dedication, letting him showcase his culinary skills and to express himself in the kitchen. The balance between his intense boxing training and his culinary interest shows his commitment to personal growth in every aspect of his passions.
“It brings me joy… I cook for my family whenever my mom does not want to cook, I take over and I help out,” Chavez said.
Now on the USA Boxing Youth National team, Chavez wants to take his talent as far as it can get him, aspiring to compete and represent America in the 2028 Olympics. Boxing is of the utmost importance to him because in the future, he wants to become a professional boxer in order to support his family.
“[Boxing] teaches you discipline and honesty because you have to be very disciplined in order to succeed in the sport [and in life],” Chavez said.
As 2025 comes to a close, Chavez has many accomplishments to be proud of, but he also has many new goals to look forward to, and he will “keep pushing” until he achieves them. He also encourages more young people to start boxing.
“[To any new boxers], just stick with it, and have trust in it. It’s a bumpy road with boxing, and it’s not easy, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it, but you have to stick it out,” Chavez said.
