Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better

Everyone has heard the saying it's not the size of the opponent that matters, but how big there heart is. And for one London Olympic hope full this rings more true then ever. The 2012 Summer London Olympic games are about 35 days away and we are bound to see a lot of amazing things happen. Through out the course of Olympic history we have seen medal breaking performances, record breaking times, and even seen nations rally. And for U.S.A. Boxing there no stranger to amazing feats, as the U.S. Holds the record for most medals (109) and golds (48) all time in Boxing. As the men get ready to try to add to that count, its one female though who will look to steal the show, as she has already made history of her own.

For 109 years women boxed off and on in the Olympic games, and for all 109 of them women were not allowed to medal in the event. But all has changed this year as finally at the 2012 London Summer games women will be allowed to medal in Boxing, and 22 year old Marlen Esparza hopes to be flying the red, white, and blue higher than anyone in London. In May at the Women's World Championships in China, Esparza put herself in the record book forever, as Esparza became the first ever U.S. women's boxing Olympian in history. Esparza who stands at 5 foot 3, is currently ranked sixth in the world at 112 pounds. Although Esparza's natural weight is at 106 pounds, in London she will compete in the smallest of the three women's weight classes at 112 pounds.

Marlen Esparza has never let her size get in the way though. As growing up most of Esparza's sparring partners where men, and I'm sure most of them now have the displeasure of telling the story of how Esparza beat them. With lightning fast hands, feet, and aggression all 5 foot 3 of Esparza has mowed down opponent after opponent on her way to the top. And at the London games she finds herself in serious medal contention, and on the verge of possibly finding herself in the record book again this time with a medal around her neck.

Don't let yourself be fooled though because at heart Esparza is still very much a lady, being featured in Cover Girl adds and posters nationwide. Esparza a college student, hopes to make this her last major tournament before returning to focus 100 % on school next semester. Dare I say if she wins a gold medal in London she will be the most popular person on campus? I mean how many other people can boast there the first at anything in such a rich Olympic history? For Marlen Esparza she may be able to say that twice when it's all said and done this summer.