Marlen Esparza, of Houston, Texas, born July 29, 1989, traveled to Colorado Springs, Colorado, this year, on March 06, 2006, at 16 years of age, as one of the youngest females to compete in the Women’s U.S. National, and was successful in her journey. Marlen captured the 106 lbs. division by defeating Michelle Turner of Newark, NJ, in the finals to become the youngest female on the US National team. She is now ranked number one in the nation.

In the four years, Marlen has been competing in the sport of boxing, and has been successful in capturing numerous titles involving four Southeast Texas Golden Gloves Titles (2002-2006, three silver gloves titles (2002-2005, two Texas State titles, one Texas female title, one national black gloves title, one junior Olympic national title, and one Ringside World title to her credit, losing only one bout in four years of boxing.

Marlen trains six to seven days a week, at the Portico Boxing Gym, under the tutelage of Rodolfo Silva and Alfredo Torres.

Marlen excels outside of the ring, as well, carrying a 4.5 grade point average and leading Pasadena High School’s cross country team to a few district titles as well.
 

Marlen was extremely excited after winning her first adult division national tournament and having one of her long time boxing idol’s Lucia Rijker come up to her after her match and congratulate her on her performance. Marlen also was motivated by what Rijker told her, when she said that Marlen had the talent and the age to conquer the sport if she continued to work hard and stay focused on her goals.

Marlen’s trainer told WBAN that Marlen is one of the hardest training boxers that he has ever been around. Silva said, “If you tell her she can’t do it---she will do it just to prove you wrong. She loves to fight. When she first started boxing, there was a few times when we would enter tournaments, and she wouldn’t get fights, so she would win unopposed. Well….she would get so upset; I would have to move her up a weight or down a weight, just so she could get a fight. She will not claim any unopposed titles to her name. There is no doubt in my mind that Marlen will be a world champion one day.”

Marlen is currently training for the Pan American games that will be held in Argentina on May 24, 2006. She will be flying out there with the USA National Team.  Marlen has over 22 amateur bouts to her record.