August 19, 2004 - Three Americans were in action Thursday in round of 16 action at the Olympic games in Athens. Only one American survived.

Welterweight Vanes Martirosyan of Glendale, California lost to Cuban Lorenzo Aragon Armenteros, 20-12. Martirosyan was a big underdog, but the 18 year old fought Armenteros tough. Vanes got down early and could never catch up. Vanes was never able to draw the Cuban in close. Armenteros stayed away avoiding big
exchanges, and was able to get the victory.

Light Welterweight Rock Allen of Philadelphia was not able to get on track in his round of 16 match. Allen lost to Boris Georgiev of Hungary 30-10. Allen was the third American to lose at this year's Athens Olympics.

There was some good news on Thursday, as Light Heavyweight Andre Ward of Oakland, California advanced to the quarterfinals of the Light Heavyweight
tournament in Athens. Ward defeated Italy's Clemente Russo 17-9 in a hard fought battle. Ward advances to face Evgeny Makarenko of Russia in the quarterfinals.

There will be one American in action on Friday in the Lightweight division. Vicente Escobedo will battle Rovshan Huseynov of Azerbaijan in round of 16 action. Escobedo of Woodland, California hopes to become the fourth American to advance to the quarterfinals. The other three are Andre Ward, Jason Estrada, and Devin Vargas.

8-19-2004