Hometown: Houston, Texas
Resides in: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Birthdate: July 29, 1989
Height: 5-2
Occupation: Boxer and public speaker
Began boxing: In 2001, because my dad was a big boxing fan so she grew up around it and wanted to try it out. I was given the choice to take dance or box and chose boxing.
Most memorable career achievement: Being the first flyweight to represent the United States in the 2012 Olympic debut of women’s boxing and subsequently winning a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in London.
Biggest inspiration: God, who has taught me how to center myself and be the best person I can be for myself and everyone around me.
Greatest asset in the ring: My attitude
If I wasn't boxing, I would be: In school full-time
Biggest motivation: Winning a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games
Did you know?
- She is scared of rubber bands
- She sleeps with teddy bears
- She hates eggs
- She is a horrible singer
- In high school, she was her Student Body President and graduated in the top 2% of her class
2014 WORLD CHAMPION
2014 PAN AMERICAN OLYMPIC FESTIVAL CHAMPION
2014 USA BOXING NATIONAL CHAMPION
2013 USA BOXING NATIONAL CHAMPION
2012 OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALIST (first American female flyweight representative and medalist in the Olympics)
2006-2011 NATIONAL CHAMPION
2006 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BRONZE MEDALIST
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Three U.S. Women’s Boxers Take Home Bronze At World Championships
Craig Bohnert May 26, 2016
Crews earned her first world medal, while Cruz and Esparza took their second and third.
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Five American Boxers Clinch Medals with Quarterfinal Wins at the 2016 Women’s World Championships
May 24, 2016
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Top 5 U.S. Storylines At The Women’s World Boxing Championships
Lynn Rutherford May 18, 2016
A star-packed U.S. team takes the ring with an Olympic berth on the line.
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Marlen Esparza: "Nobody Would Take It Easy On Me"
May 13, 2016
Being the first one in the gym and the last one to leave helped lead Marlen Esparza to Olympic glory.
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Marlen Esparza: "All I Want To Do Is Box"
May 11, 2016
Reigning world champion Esparza explains how she has perfected the sweet science.
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Working Out With Team USA: Meet Marlen Esparza
May 09, 2016
The 2012 Olympic bronze medalist boxer knows the importance of balance.
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Team USA And Chobani Present "Working Out With Team USA," An Exclusive Video Series
April 18, 2016
See what makes Team USA athletes some of the best in the world with a behind-the-scene look at their workouts.
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Team USA Athletes Explain The Stories Behind Their Names
Lisa Costantini Jan. 28, 2016
In honor of fans naming the Team USA teddy bear, we asked athletes how they got theirs.
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Red, White & Trending: Oct. 30-Nov. 1
Jamie MacDonald Nov. 06, 2015
King James channels Prince, Amy Purdy channels a cheetah, Jordan Spieth participates in a lion dance, plus a glacier selfie, trick "oar" treating, Super Serena, alligator wrestling and more.
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Claressa Shields Wins Second Olympic Trials; Virginia Fuchs Knocks Off Olympic Medalist Marlen Esparza
Karen Rosen Oct. 31, 2015
The women must now earn the quota spots for the 2016 Olympics at the continental or world championships.