Fuchs finally scores win over Esparza at trials
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ginny Fuchs jumped nearly two feet when the judges’ decision was announced.
She had scored her first win over rival Marlen Esparza with a 2-1 decision in the U.S. women’s boxing Olympic Trials.
Fuchs, 27, had lost to Esparza in all five of their bouts since 2013 but was confident this year might be different. With the win in the double-elimination event, she advanced to Saturday’s final, where she might face her Houston rival again.
“I’ve set a goal to win the Olympic Trials, and it is not over yet,” Fuchs said. “I know that I still have to win one more fight, but I’m very happy to be in this position.”
Esparza, 26, the bronze medalist in the 2012 Olympics, will fight Friday against the winner of Thursday’s Giovanna Camacho-Christina Cruz elimination match.
After London, Esparza retired briefly but picked the sport up again and left Houston in 2013 to train in Colorado Springs. Until Wednesday, she had not lost to any of the seven other fighters in the Trials field.