Dirrell reaches middleweight quarterfinals

ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- American middleweight Andre Dirrell advanced to the Olympic quarterfinals Saturday with a third-round stoppage.

Flyweight Ron Silver of the United States, however, was eliminated.

Dirrell rolled to a 27-7 victory over Nabil Kassel of Algeria, winning when the referee stopped the contest at the start of the third round.

"I came out with my best performance," Dirrell said. "I felt good inside the ring. I am looking at the gold medal, but I take one step at a time."

Dirrell's next step will be a difficult quarterfinal bout with Cuban Yordani Despaigne Herrera, twice a bronze medal winner at the world championships.

The winner of that bout will be assured of no worse than a bronze medal at these Games.

Siler's loss to Tulashboy Doniyorov of Uzbekistan left the Americans with four boxers in the competition.

Along with Dirrell, light-heavyweight Andre Ward, heavyweight Devin Vargas and super-heavyweight Jason Estrada still have hopes for a medal.

Siler was out-pointed by Doniyorov, 45-22.