When Isaac Arasato isn't hitting the books, he's hitting the heavy bag.

A psychology major with a 3.75 GPA at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa, Arasato, 26, is a boxer who recently turned pro after winning the Hawai'i State and Regional Boxing Championship title in his weight class every year from 2005 to 2008. He was also named the most outstanding boxer at the championships last year.

"It wasn't like I wanted to be a boxer," the Kaimuki resident said and laughed. "I kind of just stumbled into it."

Arasato was a junior at Kalani High School when he became interested in the sport. After graduating from Kalani in 2000, Arasato joined the Marine Corps and was stationed in San Diego. In 2001, he began competing in amateur boxing.

"I was part of the Camp Pendleton boxing team until I got deployed to Iraq (in 2003)," he said.

After his nine-month deployment, Arasato returned to San Diego and was later stationed in Hawai'i, where he continued boxing at Palolo Boxing Club.

As an amateur boxer in the 132-pound weight class, Arasato's wins include a U.S. National Boxing Championship bout in 2006 and state Golden Gloves titles in 2006 and 2007.

Since turning pro in October, Arasato has a record of 3-0, with all three victories by knockout. His next bout is scheduled in April.

"I'm going to take boxing as far as it takes me," Arasato said.

But Arasato is as much an academic as he is an athlete.

When he left the military in 2005, he attended Kapi'olani Community College. In 2007, he received a Presidential Scholarship from UH, where he plans to earn his bachelor's degree in May.

"I hope to go all the way to the Ph.D. level ... just to max out my potential, like I do with everything else," said Arasato, an aspiring guidance counselor.

Arasato is aware that he serves as a role model to many youths, especially those who frequent the Palolo gym where he trains. He encourages them to see boxing as a positive outlet.

"There are a lot of traits that boxing instills in individuals, such as discipline, commitment and respect ... things that can be applied in life," Arasato said. "For me, that's the way that I like to approach boxing. Boxing is secondary. It's something you enjoy."