CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- First Female signed to Golden Boy Promotions
- Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee
- Currently 10-1 professional career
- 2021 WBC Flyweight World Title Holder
- 2019 NABO Flyweight Champion
- 2016 World Championships- Bronze
- 2015 Clash Of Champions- Gold
- 2015 Outstanding Fighter Award
- 2015 Pan American Games- Silver
- 2015 U.S. Women’s National Championship- Gold
- 2015 Colorado Sportswoman of the Year
- 2014 Women’s World Championships- Gold
- 2014 Pan American Olympic Festival- Gold
- 2014 U.S. Women’s National Championship- Gold
- 2013 U.S. Women’s National Championship-Gold
- Houston Fighter of the Year- 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
- 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials- Gold
- 2012 Olympic Games, London – Bronze; First ever Olympic Bronze medalist in Women’s Boxing
- 2011 U.S. Women’s National Championship- Gold
- 2010 U.S. Women’s National Championship- Gold
- 2009 U.S. Women’s National Championship- Gold
- 2008 U.S. Women’s National Championship- Gold
- 2008 Pan American Games- Gold
- 2007 U.S. Women’s National Championship-Gold
- 2006 Women’s World Boxing Championship- Bronze
- 2006 U.S. Women’s National Championship- Gold
BIO
Marlen was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in a family that adored the sport of boxing. Her introduction to the ring came at age 11, when she started babysitting her younger brother while he worked out at a local gym. Marlen was soon begging her father and the gym’s trainer, Rudy Silva, to let her try the sport. They were hesitant, but soon gave in under one condition: She had to behave in school. Marlen kept her end of the bargain and by her senior year she was named class President and graduated with a 4.6 GPA. Although, she had won two Women’s Boxing U.S. National Championships (2006, 2007) and captured bronze at the 2006 World Championships, Marlen was ready to quit the sport and go to Rice University, where she had been previously accepted.
All of that changed in 2009 when the International Olympic Committee announced that women’s boxing would debut at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Soon after this announcement, Nike, Coca-Cola, and CoverGirl signed Marlen to sponsorship deals. This was huge for Marlen because she was able to quit her job – she had been working as a dental assistant- and her focus on training became even more intense for the only title left for her to win.
Marlen went on to win the 2009, 2010, and 2011 U.S. National Championships and qualified to the Olympic Games at the World Championships in China. This would clinch her spot in history as the first ever American female boxer to ever compete in an Olympic Games.
In the debut of women’s boxing at the 2012 London Olympic Games, Marlen brought home the bronze medal. Her original plan was to leave the sport after the Olympic Games, but after bringing home the bronze she realized she wasn’t quite finished with boxing.
Marlen kept her U.S. National Championship winning streak alive by taking the title in 2013, 2014, and 2015. She also took home the Gold medal at the 2014 Women’s World Championships for the first time in her career.
In 2017, Marlen turned pro, signing with Golden Boy Promotions and becoming their first ever female boxer. She dominated her pro debut in March 2017 by a unanimous decision win on ESPN and is currently 8-1 in her professional career, as her third fight was a part of the Canelo vs. GGG undercard in Las Vegas.
In January 2019, Marlen welcomed her first child, Saint Diego Figueroa.
She is passionate about creating a voice for women’s sports and inspiring young girls to go after their dreams, whatever they may be.
Twitter: @Marlen112Boxing
Instagram: @marlen_esparza
Facebook: Marlen Esparza
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