Three-Minute Rounds For Women Boxers Happened Years ago and is no “History First” in Esparza’s upcoming fight… by Sue Fox

(APR 27, 2017)  Earlier today, WBAN received a press release by Golden Boy Promotions in regards to Marlen Esparza fighting her second pro bout after a very successful amateur boxing career, earning a Bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics.  She will be fighting Samantha Salazar in a four-round bout.  She is set to fight on the undercard of the Canelo vs. Chavez card on May 6th at the T-Mobile Arena.

All is good with this upcoming bout, for the exception of the release stating the following: Golden Boy Promotions Press Release, dated April 27, 2017.

 “Making history as the first female in boxing to fight three-minute rounds as a professional, former US 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist Marlen Esparza (1-0) of Houston, TX will face Samantha Salazar (2-3-1) of Dallas, TX for a four round flyweight bout in a Texan turf war battle. ”

It is not too difficult to research a few facts on the Internet now-a- days, when making such a prominent claim of a boxer making “history” in the sport, completely ignoring female boxers who actually paved the way  to fighting three minute rounds. Great example is Layla McCarter, and a host of others.

But surprisingly this is a claim made today in a press release….as a “History First” in the sport…

When Esparza was making her pro debut just recently, Golden Boy Promotions had in their release that she was the FIRST female boxer signed with Golden Boy Promotions—but in fact it was actually Rhonda Luna, who  signed with Golden Boy to fight so many fights, with WBAN verifying this with Luna and promoter Roy Englebrecht.