By Cliff Rold

Team USA is undefeated thus far at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. 

Of course, they’ve only had one fight so far.

That one fight sent America’s entrant in the Middleweight division, 23-year old Shawn Estrada of Los Angeles, California, out of the round of 32 and on to the round of 16.  Unlike the professional limit of 160, amateur Middleweight action is contested at a weight limit of 165 lbs. 

No matter where the scale falls, it weighed on the side of victory as Estrada picked up a solid 10-2 points victory over Argentina’s Ezequil Osvaldo Maderna.  The butterflies of a first round all but certain, Estrada has a healthy six days of rest in front of him until returning to action on Day 8 of the Games on August 16th.  Based on his showing on Day One, and the other talent in his class, Estrada will have his work cut out for him.

Estrada did some things very well against Maderna.  Facing a taller, longer opponent, Estrada used Maderna’s size against him, lunging to stay inside the jab and not allowing Maderna a chance to get into any offensive rhythm.  Conversely, through the first three rounds, Estrada’s offense was basic but unpredictable, scraping with the left to open up overhand scoring rights. 

Given the emphasis, right or wrong, in Olympic Boxing on scoring blows to the head, Estrada wisely didn’t waste much time going downstairs.  Also to his credit, Estrada showed good movement, forcing the taller man to chase him and potshotting while Maderna was still planting his feet to throw. 

There were also some areas of concern.  Estrada’s lunges may have kept him inside of Maderna’s jab, but they would have been more effective behind an occasional jab.  Through four two-minute rounds, Estrada rarely used a straight left jab, instead opting to wing the left at angles to keep opportunities for the right open.  Against the textbook 1-2 style of Maderna, that worked.  Other opponents will require a greater variance of offense.

Building off of that point, another area of concern was the number of clinches in the bout.  Maderna’s awkward size played a part, but Estrada’s lack of a jab kept the fight falling into tackles.  With a points lead throughout the bout, that hurt Maderna more than the American.  If Estrada falls behind against quicker and more experienced opposition, lunging into clinches will get him into scoring holes that only the prayer of late, singular power can get him out of.

It was the result Estrada wanted but he’ll have to ask more of himself to get into the medal rounds.  He’s got the speed and maturity, but he doesn’t have the international experience some others in the Games do.  Let’s hope he learns on the fly.

Round One Grade: B

Looking ahead, Estrada’s road to the Gold will likely go through either Russia’s Mayvey Korobov or Cuba’s Emilio Correa Jr.  Both of those men won their first round matches in dominant fashion.  Korobov is a two-time World Amateur champion and a favorite not only to win Gold but to capture the Val Barker trophy as the outstanding fighter at the Games. 

Before he can get to either man, Estrada will square off with James Degale of Great Britain.  Degale won a dominant decision over Egypt’s Mohamed Hikal on day one, 13-4.  Degale, like Maderna, found himself regularly tying up a lunging Hikal but was diverse enough to wing quick, scoring hooks as those clinches were stepped out of.  Unlike Maderna, Degale appears most comfortable fighting off the back foot and leading with counter shots.  If Estrada can make Degale follow him, circling the ring and landing his own lead left and long right hand first, victory can be his.  The world will know one week from.

Up Next for Team USA:

Welterweight Demetrius Andrade vs. Kakhaber Jvania (Georgia); Report Card to follow

Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com