Seventeen-year-old Elena Chavez is proving that boxing is not just a sport for men. This Dallas native has become a force in the ring, capturing the Junior Featherweight State Championship and breaking barriers along the way.
Elena’s journey began at a community center where she joined a self-defense class. She instantly fell in love with the sport. “I felt powerful for the first time,” she shares. Under the guidance of Coach Maria Lopez, Elena developed her signature blend of speed and strategy.
Her crowning achievement came during this year’s Junior Featherweight Championship. Facing a taller opponent, Elena relied on her agility and counterpunching to secure a unanimous decision. “Coach Lopez always says, ‘Boxing is chess, not checkers,’” Elena explains. “I played the smarter game and won.”Off the canvas, Elena is an advocate for women in sports. She regularly speaks at schools, encouraging young girls to pursue their passions regardless of societal expectations. “I want to show that boxing isn’t just for men—it’s for anyone with heart,” she says.
