For the past seven years, Lisa Chapa has proudly served her community as a police officer with the Visalia Police Department. While protecting and serving the citizens of Visalia is her profession, challenging herself through athletics has always been a part of who she is.
Growing up, Chapa was involved in multiple sports, competing in water polo, basketball, and swimming during high school. Her athletic career continued at the college level, where she swam at the College of the Sequoias before joining the club rugby team at Fresno State University. Her willingness to step outside of her comfort zone and take on new challenges has remained a constant throughout her life.
Although she has dabbled in jiu-jitsu, Chapa had never competed in boxing before accepting the challenge to step into the ring for the first time.
“I’m in decent shape and love to challenge myself,” Chapa said. “This seemed like a good cause to dedicate some time to.”
To prepare for her ring debut, Chapa has been training at the Visalia Police Activities League program she is passionate about supporting.
“Visalia PAL is an incredible program,” she said. “The kids in our community are blessed to have access to such an amazing opportunity.”
Since March, Chapa has been dedicating herself to training camp, boxing two to three days per week while adding one to two days of cardio to build her conditioning. Inside the gym, her focus has been on developing composure and learning how to control the pace of a fight.
“I’m focused on staying calm and controlling the tempo,” she explained.
Like many first time competitors, the biggest challenge hasn’t been the physical preparation, it’s managing the nerves that come with performing in front of a crowd.
“The most challenging part is the nerves that come with trying something new in front of tons of people,” Chapa said. “But I’ll lean on my training to get over it.”
When fight night arrives, Chapa plans to rely on the qualities that have helped her succeed both in athletics and law enforcement.
“I’m aggressive and determined,” she said.
She is also quick to recognize the people who have helped her reach this point.
“I could not do anything without the love and support of the Lord, my family, my department, and my fiancé.”
As for her prediction?
“I predict that my opponent and I will put on an exciting and entertaining fight.”
With a lifelong athletic background, a commitment to service, and a willingness to embrace new challenges, Lisa Chapa is ready to make her UCA debut and showcase the determination that has defined her journey both inside and outside the ring.