
Marlen Esparza
- WINS15
- Losses2
- Draws0
- ko's1
- Alias-----
- Height160
- Reach163
- Division
- Super Flyweight
- Age
- 35
- Country
- USA
- Born in
- Houston
- KO PERCENTAGE
- 6.67%
- Bouts
- 17
- ROUNDS BOXED
- 132
- Stance
- O
Marlen Esparza FIGHTS
WIN
VSArelyMucino32-4-2December 14, 2024Toyota Arena, Ontario, California, USAMarlen Esparza DEFEATS Arely Mucino
LOSS
VSGabriela CelesteAlaniz14-1-0April 27, 2024Save Mart Arena, Fresno, California, USAMarlen Esparza LOSES to Gabriela Celeste Alaniz
Marlen Esparza NEWS
Biography
Early Life and Amateur Career
Marlen Esparza was born on July 29, 1989, in Houston, Texas. Growing up in a Mexican-American family, she was exposed to the sport of boxing at an early age, influenced by her father’s love for the sport. Despite initially showing more interest in academics and cheerleading, Esparza’s passion for boxing grew, and she began training seriously at the age of 11. She quickly demonstrated natural talent and dedication, which set her on a path to become one of the most prominent female boxers in the United States.
Esparza’s amateur boxing career was marked by significant achievements and milestones. She made a name for herself by winning multiple national championships, showcasing her skills and tenacity in the ring. In 2006, at the age of 17, she won her first national title, which was a precursor to many more accolades in her career. Her success continued as she became a seven-time USA National Champion, proving her dominance in the flyweight division. One of Esparza’s most notable accomplishments came in 2012 when women’s boxing was included in the Olympics for the first time. Esparza earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, competing in the flyweight division. She made history by winning a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics, becoming the first American woman to achieve this feat in boxing. This achievement not only highlighted her skill and dedication but also brought significant attention to women’s boxing in the United States.
Professional Career
Esparza turned professional in 2017, making her debut on March 23 against Rachel Sazoff at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, where she won by unanimous decision. She quickly established herself as a formidable competitor, securing a series of victories, including notable wins against Samantha Salazar and Aracely Palacios.
Esparza’s first major title came on June 19, 2021, when she won the WBC female flyweight title by defeating Ibeth Zamora Silva at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas. She continued to dominate the flyweight division, defending her title successfully against Anabel Ortiz and Naoko Fujioka. The victory over Fujioka on April 9, 2022, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, was particularly significant as Esparza not only retained her WBC title but also won the WBA and inaugural The Ring female flyweight titles.
In 2023, Esparza faced Gabriela Celeste Alaniz in a highly anticipated match on July 8 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Esparza emerged victorious with a majority decision, retaining her WBC, WBA, and The Ring titles, and adding the WBO female flyweight title to her collection. However, in a rematch on April 27, 2024, at the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California, Esparza lost to Alaniz by split decision. Unfortunately, Esparza missed weight for the fight, resulting in Alaniz winning the WBC, WBA, WBO, and The Ring female flyweight titles.