Martirosyan batters Algerian for U.S. win

.c The Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) – Armenian-born American Vanes Martirosyan
battered Algeria’s Benamar Meskine during a 45-20 points victory in
the 69-kilogram class Sunday at the Olympic boxing competition.

The win gives the American a second-round match with Cuba’s Lorenzo
Aragon.

“I finished like a champion,” said Martirosyan, 18. “I could have
won another four rounds, to tell you the truth. I felt so good out
there.”

Martirosyan showed the power and flair of a contender, dictating the
fight’s pace with a stiff jab and opportunistic combinations. He also
counterpunched effectively while landing more shots to the head than
almost any competitor.

Martirosyan was one fight from elimination at the U.S. team trials in
February, but the two top contenders were disqualified when Andre
Berto threw Juan McPherson to the canvas, injuring McPherson’s
neck. McPherson was medically disqualified, and Berto was banned for
his actions.

Although he caught a lucky break, Martirosyan made the most of it by
earning an Olympic spot in the ensuing qualifying tournaments. Berto
made the Olympics on Haiti’s team.

Martirosyan hoped to meet Berto later in the draw, but Berto was
beaten 36-34 in the evening session by France’s Xavier Noel, a former
world champion.

Berto, whose parents are Haitian, fought well and nearly rallied from
a nine-point deficit in the fourth round, but Noel apparently hung
on. The decision was loudly jeered by fans.

In other bouts, Egypt’s Mohamed Hikal beat Afghanistan’s only boxer at
the games, Basharmal Sultani, 40-12 in the 69-kilogram class. In the
second welterweight class of the night, Oleg Saitov of Russia, trying
to win his third straight Olympic gold, beat Moroccan Miloud Ait Hammi
30-15.

08/15/04 17:40 EDT