Not many people were giving the U.S. Olympic Boxing team much of a chance to medal at this year's Athens Olympics. Most experts seem to be in agreement that
Cuba and Russia will dominate the twelve weight classes in Athens. Most people blame the American's youth and lack of international experience as the reason for their slim medal hopes.

Going against the naysayers, the U.S. Olympic Boxing team got off to a 3-0 start, with Five of out Five Boxers advancing into the round of 16. Middleweight Andre Dirrell of Flint, Michigan got things started on Saturday for the U.S.  Dirrell out pointed China's Ha Dabateer 25-18 to advance. Dirrell got off to a slow start, but came on strong late to win his first match. Many people see Andre Dirrell as the best boxer on the team, and Dirrell will try to prove that on Friday when he faces Nabil Kassel of Algeria in the round of 16.

Welterweight Vanes Martirosyan of Glendale, California kept things going for the U.S. on Sunday.  Vanes outpointed Algerian, Benamar Meske 45-20 to advance to the next round. Vanes is only 18, and was a surprise to make the team. Not only has Vanes now made the team, but he's making noise into the round of 16. Vanes will face tough Cuban, Lorenzo Aragon Armenteros in the next round.

Lightweight Vicente Escobedo of Woodland, California continued the U.S. win streak on Monday. Escobedo stopped Colombian Jose David Mosquera in the third round. Escobedo advances to face Rovshan Huseynov of Azerbaijan on Friday. If Escobedo can defeat Huseynov, he will meet 2000 lightweight gold medalist Mario Kindelan of Cuba in the quarterfinals.

Light Heavyweight Andre Ward of Oakland, California advanced to the round of 16 by way of a bye. Ward is another medal hopeful for the U.S. team. Ward hopes to become the first American Light Heavyweight gold medalist since Andrew Maynard in 1988 at Seoul. Light Welterweight Rock Allen of Philadelphia, also advanced to the round of 16 by way of a bye.

On Tuesday in Athens, Flyweights and Bantamweights will take the stage in their first round matches. The U.S. will pin their flyweight hopes on Ron Siler of
Cincinnati. On Wednesday, the first round will conclude with Light Flyweights, Heavyweights, and Super Heavyweights getting it on from Athens.

The U.S. sends Light Flyweight Rau'shee Warren of Cincinnati, along with heavyweight Devin Vargas of Toledo into the ring. U.S. Super Heavyweight Jason
Estrada of Providence, Rhode Island, will begin his quest for a medal on Wednesday also. Estrada won gold at the Pan-Am games and hopes to repeat that
performance in Athens.

The U.S. will try to continue its win streak this week, and try to continue to prove the naysayers wrong in their quest for medals in Athens.

8-16-2004