By Jake Donovan
In a special edition of ESPN2 Monday Night Boxing, Shawn Estrada preserved his unbeaten record but was forced to go the distance for the first time as a pro in taking a six-round unanimous decision over Tony Hirsch.
The bout served as the televised co-feature, aired live from Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.
Estrada, a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic boxing squad, came out with both guns blazing, taking the fight to Hirsch. The lone knockdown of the bout came in the opening round, with Estrada following up a straight right hand with a clean-up left hook to send Hirsch to the canvas.
The pace set in the opening round suggested more of the same that Estrada has experienced as a pro, having previously never been taken deeper than seconds into the third round. However, Hirsch overcame the early bum rush and – on the advice of his own corner – turned the bout into a street fight, roughing up Estrada with borderline dirty tactics that drew warnings from referee Bill Clancy.
As the bout crept past the third round, Estrada was entering unchartered waters on two fronts – seeing the fourth round for the first time in his career, as well as having to deal with a cut outside of his eye.
The 25 year-old pulled himself together and closed the bout strong, regaining control over the final two rounds to remain unbeaten through his first ten bouts as a pro.
Scores were 58-55 and 59-54 (twice) for Estrada, who moves to 10-0 (9KO) with the win. Hirsch snaps a three fight win streak as he falls to 12-4-1 (6KO).
The bout was likely the last time in 2010 that Estrada will step into the ring. However, his name remains in the headlines, calling out former amateur rivals James DeGale and Danny Jacobs.
Estrada and DeGale squared off in the 2008 Summer Olympics, with DeGale taking a decision en route to capturing Olympic gold. Both are enjoying successful runs in the prospect stage of their respective careers, and Estrada would love nothing more than to avenge his last in-ring loss.
In a special edition of ESPN2 Monday Night Boxing, Shawn Estrada preserved his unbeaten record but was forced to go the distance for the first time as a pro in taking a six-round unanimous decision over Tony Hirsch.
The bout served as the televised co-feature, aired live from Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.
Estrada, a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic boxing squad, came out with both guns blazing, taking the fight to Hirsch. The lone knockdown of the bout came in the opening round, with Estrada following up a straight right hand with a clean-up left hook to send Hirsch to the canvas.
The pace set in the opening round suggested more of the same that Estrada has experienced as a pro, having previously never been taken deeper than seconds into the third round. However, Hirsch overcame the early bum rush and – on the advice of his own corner – turned the bout into a street fight, roughing up Estrada with borderline dirty tactics that drew warnings from referee Bill Clancy.
As the bout crept past the third round, Estrada was entering unchartered waters on two fronts – seeing the fourth round for the first time in his career, as well as having to deal with a cut outside of his eye.
The 25 year-old pulled himself together and closed the bout strong, regaining control over the final two rounds to remain unbeaten through his first ten bouts as a pro.
Scores were 58-55 and 59-54 (twice) for Estrada, who moves to 10-0 (9KO) with the win. Hirsch snaps a three fight win streak as he falls to 12-4-1 (6KO).
The bout was likely the last time in 2010 that Estrada will step into the ring. However, his name remains in the headlines, calling out former amateur rivals James DeGale and Danny Jacobs.
Estrada and DeGale squared off in the 2008 Summer Olympics, with DeGale taking a decision en route to capturing Olympic gold. Both are enjoying successful runs in the prospect stage of their respective careers, and Estrada would love nothing more than to avenge his last in-ring loss.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com and an award-winning member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Contact Jake at JakeNDaBox@gmail.com.
