Colorado Springs , Colorado ( CNN ) -- A high school gym erupts with cheers as the announcer introduces the women fighting to be the nation 's top amateur boxers . Names like Esparza , Cruz and Estrada sound out over the PA system , as young Latinas with impressively defined arms take to the ring . The top four boxers who medaled at the National Championships in late June have a rare distinction this year : Women 's boxing has been added to the 2012 Olympic Games in London . The traditionally male sport of boxing was the only summer sport at the Olympics without a female counterpart . The last great domain of men in sports is about to crumble , and a bunch of Latinas , flyweight boxers who tip the scales at no more than 112 pounds , are leading the way . The principal figure in this sport 's revolution is Marlen Esparza , a 22-year-old Texan of Mexican descent who was already a five-time national champion in the flyweight division coming into this year 's tournament . Esparza is aware that her success represents more than a personal victory . `` I feel like being a woman and Hispanic , and doing something well , would help us out as far as how people view us , '' says Esparza , whose success has drawn sponsors like Coke , Nike and Cover Girl . Boxing has been a huge sport in the Latino world for decades , producing some of the community 's biggest stars , such as John `` The Quietman '' Ruiz , a Puerto Rican who defeated Evander Holyfield for the world heavyweight title in 2001 . Some boxers say Latinos have a different boxing style that makes them stand out , always pushing forward and playing a strong mental game . `` We Latinas are natural fighters , '' says Raquel Ruiz , who is writing `` Punching for Gold , '' a book about the Olympic journey . `` We fight all our lives to get ahead . Some of us even grow up in the streets fighting with our fists . Boxing has always been a sport of Latino culture , and , like every other area , now the Latinas are taking it and owning it , making it our victory . '' Esparza began fighting at 11 when she accompanied her brothers to a gym in Houston because her Mexican-born father , David , whose hero was Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez , wanted his boys to take up the sport . As it turned out , the Esparza boys hated boxing , but little Marlen begged their trainer , Rudy Silva , to coach her . He 's a police officer who patrols a tough Houston high school , and Esparza , who was having disciplinary problems in school , was just the kind of kid he sought to help . But he could n't see how a girl could fit into his all-male program . `` I tested her by boxing the boys , figuring she would get scared off , '' he remembers . `` Suddenly it was she who was testing them ! '' Silva took her on and helped guide her to the sport 's elite level . There are no shortcuts : It takes unbelievable dedication to withstand the punishing training regimen of a champion boxer . But at age 16 , too young to qualify , Esparza sneaked into the national championships and won . Since then she has competed in the Pan American Games and the Women 's World Boxing Championships . Her success has drawn other Latinas into boxing . `` If I make it to the Olympics it 's going to mean so much to my community , '' she says . Esparza has only lost once in the States since she began entering national competitions nine years ago , and it was to another Latina : Christina Cruz , a Puerto Rican boxer who dominates the New York women 's boxing scene . U.S. Olympic Coach Gloria Peek , who has trained the United States men 's team for 33 years , notes that women 's amateur boxing has been dominated by blacks and Latinas from working-class backgrounds , and that many have been transformed by the discipline of the sport . Esparza fits that profile : Once a troublemaker , she graduated in the top 2 % of her high school class . Eight women will compete in each of three weight classes at the Olympic trials . They are the winners of the top national tournaments . So far , half the flyweights are Latinas . The other weight classes are dominated by African-American boxers . All the competitors will be chosen by October 8 , after the year 's last major national fight , the Police Athletic League championships . The trials are scheduled for February 2012 . Only one woman in each weight class at the trials will make Team USA and win the chance to compete internationally . Meanwhile , Esparza has tied the record for most national championships by winning her sixth . Esparza says she 's winning now by using guile and smarts , as well as her fists . `` I move my head a lot and I time people , '' she says . If her timing is right , Esparza will not only continue to get victories in the American ring , but she may just make a mark for Latinas around the world .
Women 's boxing has been added to 2012 Olympic Games in London . Marlen Garcia , a 22-year - old American of Mexican descent , is a two - time national champion . Boxing has been a huge sport in the Latino world for decades .