StoryCorps Historias: Seniesa and Joe Estrada

From: StoryCorps
Series: StoryCorps
Length: 02:19

17-year-old amateur boxing champion Seniesa Estrada talks to her father and coach, Joe Estrada, about how she got started in the sport. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: StoryCorps Historias: Seniesa and Joe Estrada
From: StoryCorps

Estrada_small

17-year-old Seniesa Estrada is an amateur boxing champion, about to turn pro. Her father, Joe, is a former gang member who gave up that life to become Seniesa's coach.

In this story, the two talk about how Seniesa got her start in the ring when she was just 8.

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Piece Description

17-year-old Seniesa Estrada is an amateur boxing champion, about to turn pro. Her father, Joe, is a former gang member who gave up that life to become Seniesa's coach.

In this story, the two talk about how Seniesa got her start in the ring when she was just 8.

Broadcast History

NPR's Morning Edition 4/2/10

Transcript

SE: I was watching a boxing fight one day with you and my brother. I mean, I don't know too many eight year old girls that would look at a boxing fight and think it's fun. But for some reason I did (laughs.)

JE: Yeah, and she said, 'Hey dad, do girls box? And I'm like, 'Uh yes.' A few minutes later she says, 'Can I box?' And I'm like, 'Sure baby, you can box.' 'Alright, will you take me to the gym?' I says, 'Yeah.' A month went by (SE: Maybe even like two months or more) And she just brings it up again. 'Hey dad, can you take me to the gym? You told me you were gonna take me to the gym.' And I'm like, 'Oh yeah baby, don't worry, I'll take you to the gym next week.' I remember you just kept bringing it up.

SE: I didn't know how hard it was either. I just thought I was gonna go to a gym and get in the ring and fight, cause that's what I wanted to do.

JE: She went in...
Read the full transcript

Intro and Outro

INTRO:

It's Friday... and time for another conversation from StoryCorps.

Today, a story born in an East LA boxing gym...

It comes from 17-year-old Seniesa (sin-EE-sah) Estrada (ess-TRA-da) and her father, Joe.

Seniesa is an amateur boxing champion, about to turn pro.

Her father, Joe, is a former gang member... who gave up that life... to become Seniesa's coach.

Here, they talk about how she got her start in the ring -- when she was 8 years old.

OUTRO:

17-year-old amateur boxing champion Seniesa Estrada with her dad - and coach - Joe Estrada in Montebello, California.

Their interview is part of StoryCorps Historias...recording the voices of Latinos. It will be archived in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

And you can see video from one of Seniesa's fights at NPR dot ORG.