London Olympics: Claressa Shields wins women’s boxing match

LONDON – A U.S. boxing program struggling in recent Olympic Games got a double infusion of success Monday when women fighters Marlen Esparza and Claressa Shields won quarterfinal matches and assured the U.S. of at least two bronze medals.

Each still has a chance for gold in this, the first-ever women’s Olympic boxing tournament.

The event was limited to 12 fighters in each weight division, and each U.S. boxer drew a bye into the quarterfinals, putting each a victory away from a medal.

Esparza beat Venezuelan Karlha Magliocco, 24-16, in a match with lots of activity and aggression and the best of it going to Esparza. That was in the 48-51 kilogram division (105 to 112 pounds). Esparza will face world champion Cancan Ren of China in her semifinal.

“That’s what I came here for,” Esparza said.

Shields, 17, beat Anna Laurell of Sweden, nearly twice her age at 32, with a flurry that broke a 12-12 tie going into the final round of their 69-75 kilogram (152-165 pounds) match. She caught Laurell with a hard left that caused a standing eight-count and sealed the Swede’s fate. Her final margin of victory was 18-14.

Shields will fight Marina Volnova of Kazakhstan in the semifinals. Volonova upset top-seeded Savannah Marshall of Great Britain.

Women’s boxing semifinals are Wednesday.

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