By Lee Collier
Shawn Estrada, 24, turned to the professional game in late 2008 after losing in the Olympics to eventual Gold medal winner James DeGale. After an impressive start, which involved six wins, all inside the distance, within seven months, Estrada suffered a frustrating second half to 2009 which involved not fighting at all after suffering a couple of injuries, the most recent involving surgery to an injured finger.
Estrada has understandably found the last six months a time of frustration. “It’s been tough knowing that I could have had 10 or more fights to my record,” stated Estrada. “I will come back stronger than ever and I am still learning everyday even from my absence from the boxing ring.”
The Los Angeles-based fighter missed out on the opportunity to box in front of his home town fans when injury ruled him out of fighting on the undercard of Vitali Klitschko-Chris Arreola, this left the Olympian disappointed.
“I was really disappointed that injury ruled me out of fighting on the Klitschko-Arreola undercard,” recalled Estrada. “An opportunity so early in my career would have given me the chance to showcase my speed, power, strength in front of my home fans and given me the chance to show them the next superstar of boxing.”
Estrada who is looking forward to returning to action sometime early 2010 was otherwise happy with the early part of 2009, when he stopped every fighter he entered the ring with.
“I’m just happy to have ended the year undefeated and will continue to stay on top of my game,” enthused Estrada. “I missed out on a lot in 2009 but will have a great 2010 to make up for the last six months.”
Estrada believes the experience he has gained in sparring the likes of Antonio Margarito, Fernando Vargas and Alfredo Angulo will help him cop with the rigours of fighting at the top level.
“I know my talent will speak for itself,” stated a confident Estrada. “I was 17 years old when I sparred a lot of world champions and I managed to hold my own. There is still improvement in me and as I continue to grow and improve I feel I will be able to compete with any world champion.”
Estrada will be keen to be busy in 2010 and feels it will be a good year that will set him on the way to world titles. “In 2010 you will see a strong fast and powerful Shawn Estrada,” stared Estrada.
“Some people may count me out as a prospect but with my trainer Rodrigo Mosquera, Walter ‘Schoolboy’ Sarnoi, Hector Aguilar, and Goosen Tutor promotions behind me then I am 100% confident that 2010 will be a year of a champion in the making.”
Estrada is confident that he will be a world champion and feels he will eventually face the man who knocked him out of the Olympics, James DeGale, in the professional game and that the outcome will be different than the Olympics.
“DeGale was a crafty boxer, but in professional boxing punches hurt and they count,” blasted Estrada. “There is no referee there to give a standing eight count and when we do meet in the future I will be sure to beat him and let him know this is a new stage in the boxing game.”
