MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Experience did not prevail at the U.S. Olympic boxing trials on Saturday, at least in the flyweight division.
Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza lost for the second time this week against southpaw Virginia Fuchs, this time in the flyweight final, eliminating any chance of the 26-year-old world champion competing in next summer's Rio Olympics.
Esparza, who became the first U.S. Olympic female boxing medalist in history after winning bronze at the 2012 Summer Games in London, lost in another split decision against Fuchs after dropping an earlier split decision against the 27-year-old LSU grad earlier in the trials. Heading into the trials, Esparza had a 5-0 record against Fuchs, including wins in the past three U.S. national championship finals.
"[Esparza]'s a great fighter, so I knew it was going to be close,'' Fuchs said. "It was a little closer than I wanted. ... Every fight we've had has been real close, so I knew I would have to dig deep and she would have to dig deep to win this. I wanted it more, obviously, because I got the win, but I've got to give her credit.''
In the third bout of the night, Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields clinched her second Olympic nomination after beating Tika Hemingway by unanimous decision in the middleweight final. Hemingway put Shields on the ropes several times, giving the Olympic champ arguably one of her toughest contests in years.
"I landed the cleanest and the hardest shots every round, so I knew it was unanimous,'' Shields said. "I knew it wasn't split. ... I know from my international experience, as long as I'm landing the cleaner shots, leaning on the ropes doesn't matter.'
"I can't believe I'm (going to be) a two-time Olympian. It's just crazy to think about it. It's definitely different, and I feel like I was little bit scared going into 2012. I had just had my first loss. This time, I haven't lost in three years, and I feel like there's nothing that can stop me (at) the 2016 Olympics this time around.''
Lightweight Jajaira Gonzalez also beat Mikaela Mayer by unanimous decision in a rematch to force a decisive third bout between the two fighters for the trials championship Sunday.
Fuchs' surprising performance puts her in position to earn an Olympic berth. Shields, Fuchs and Sunday's lightweight winner will compete at international Olympic qualifiers for a Rio berth in the coming months.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.