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© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing
Shawn Estrada is not one to shy away from a challenge. He was announced as part of the U.S. Olympic boxing team in August, 2007 after defeating two of the favorites in the US. Olympic Team Trials, Fernando Guerrero and Danny Jacobs, who both turned professional after their loss to Estrada.
Just to provide an idea of the level of competition they offered, they currently hold a combined record of 17-0 (17) in only eight months as professional fighters.
Estrada was one of three teammates that had their last opportunity to qualify nationally for the U.S. Olympic boxing team at the final Americas Olympic Qualifier in April of this year in Guatemala City.
As the rest of the team qualified nationally at the 2007 AIBA World Championships and the first Americas Olympic Qualifier in Port of Spain, middleweight Estrada, light heavyweight Christopher Downs and super heavyweight Michael Hunter all hoped to earn an Olympic spot with this last opportunity.
Both Downs and Hunter were unable to fulfill their Olympic dreams while Estrada, needing to advance to the finals to earn his spot, not only made it to the finals but defeated Ezequiel Maderna of Argentina to win the Gold Medal.
When asked about the qualification process, Estrada commented, “It was tough, I had a lot of pit bulls in my way and I just went in there and fought my way through the gauntlet. When the smoke cleared, I was the only man standing. It was fun.”
Estrada was born on April 1, 1985 and lives in East Los Angeles, California. He began boxing in 1997 and is coached by Rodrigo Mosquera. He is studying Fire Technology and plans to become a firefighter. His career highlights include: 2nd Americas Qualifier Gold Medalist and U.S Championships Bronze Medallist (twice).
Estrada feels that is a big honor and accomplishment to represent the U.S. in Beijing, China, and could not be happier with the support he has received. “My family is proud, all of my supporters and my people from East Los Angeles are all happy, I’d like to thank everybody!” he said.
The middleweight is not the first in his family to be an athlete in the Olympics. “I followed in my father’s foot steps,” said Estrada. “My father was on the Mexican Olympic team in 1968. He’s proud; I’m making his dream come true, so my dream is coming true through him.”
In addition to making his father proud, he hopes to become like other great local fighters from his hometown. “Fernando Vargas, Oscar De la Hoya and Bobby Chacon all came out of the same area I came out of and I just want to live up to their expectations or even better.”
In preparation for the Olympics, the last several months have been a challenge.“It’s been traveling and having to work very hard,” stated Estrada. “We all push each other just trying to accomplish our dreams to bring home the Gold Medal for the United States.”
The East Los Angeles native feels it would be better to have his own coach to work with during the training, but has been able to work with the U.S. Olympic coaches. “At first it took a little time to adapt but at least they are not changing my style they are letting me be me and I’m really appreciative of that,”he said.
When asked how he evaluates the international competitors, Estrada replied, “It’s a big difference internationally, when you are fighting guys from Asia or Europe, they all bring different styles to the table. It takes a little time to adapt.”
Estrada feels the international styles differs from the U.S., saying,“It’s different than the U.S. In the U.S., we fight like pit bulls but over there it’s just points, they move, run and run. But we have adapted to it, we are pretty good at it now.”
As Estrada described his qualification process he stated that he fought through a gauntlet and was the last man standing and feels he will be able to do the same in Beijing, China. “I’m smart. Maybe I look mean from a distance, but I’m a nice humble guy. I’ll always greet you with a smile, but I’m a fierce strong fighter.”
Watch for the next U.S. Olympic Boxing Spotlight on Welterweight Demetrius Andrade
