Olympics Women's Flyweight Semis: Esparza Takes Bronze

By Jake Donovan

Marlen Esparza was the first to spare Team USA the embarrassment of being shut out at the boxing medal count for the first time ever when her win on Monday guaranteed at least a bronze.

Unfortunately, it will have to do for the American flyweight, who was eliminated after a 10-8 loss to Ren Cancan of China, who now fights for the Gold medal on Thursday afternoon.

Esparza faced an uphill climb heading in, going up against the division's top seed. Cancan jumped to an early lead, not offering anything spectacular but doing just enough to stay ahead. The same pattern held true through two rounds, when Cancan went up by three points.

The instructions from the USA corner were direct and to the point - win the rounds, win the fight. There was plenty of fighting left to be done with four minutes to go. Esparza fought accordingly, utilizing her speed advantage to chip away at the lead, thus setting the stage for what was hoped to be a thrilling finish.

Cancan removed any semblance of hope in the final round. The Chinese flyweight didn't dominate the round by any stretch. What she did well, though, was stand just far enough outside of Esparza's reach to avoid getting hit flush with scoring blows. 

Esparza spent the entire frame trying to close the gap but came up just short in her race against the clock. The effort was valiant and her future looks bright, whether she decides to turn pro or plan a trip to Rio for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Looking even brighter is the immediate future of Cancan, who fights for the Gold on Friday. Her opponent will be Great Britain's own Nicola Adams, who looked spectacular in taking a 13-6 win over Mary Kom of Ireland.

Adams was in the lead throughout the contest. Her dominance was attributed to grit, skill and a humbling corner who refused to let her settle for good enough. 

The instructions between rounds were always to correct the mistakes from the previous round. Adams obeyed the instructions down to the letter, leaving Kom no hope of pulling off the upset.

Kom's loss leaves Team India down to just one remaining fighter, as Devendro Singh competes later Wednesday evening in the light flyweight quarterfinals. Despite the loss Kom takes home the bronze, guaranteeing that the India Olympic boxing squad doesn't go home empty handed.

Meanwhile, the hosting nation is now given its first crack at a boxing Gold medal in 2012 competition. A loaded men's team has already placed four semifinalists with one more to go, but Adams has a chance to beat them all to the podium as the flyweight finals take place Thursday, August 9. 

The winner becomes the first ever women's Olympic boxing Gold medalist. The loser takes Olympic silver.

Flyweight Semifinals (Medal Round - Wedneday, August 8):

Ren Cancan (China) def. Marlen Esparza (USA), 10-8

Nicola Adams (Great Britain) def. Chungneijang Mary Kom (India), 13-6

Flyweight Finals (Thursday, August 9)

Ren Cancan (China) vs. Nicola Adams (Great Britain)

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter: @JakeNDaBox