Three American men win in second round of Olympic qualifier; one eliminated

Three American boxers earned victories in second-round competition at the World Olympic Qualifying Event on Sunday in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Flyweight Antonio Vargas, light welterweight Gary Russell and super heavyweight Marlo Moore won their matches at the Sarhadchi Arena.

Light heavyweight Jonathan Esquivel lost a split decision in his second-round bout.

Russell stopped Ethiopia's Girmachew Bahiru Tedesse in the final seconds of the opening round for a TKO victory and his second win of the tournament. He will face Australia's David Biddle Tuesday for a spot in the quarterfinal round.

Moore faced Korea's Dohyeon Kim and due to an accidental head butt late in the first round, it went to the scorecards. Moore won by unanimous decision. He will back in action Tuesday against Bulgaria's Peter Rumenov Belberov.

Vargas dominated Venezuela's Yoel Segundo Finol Rivas, winning all three rounds for a unanimous decision. He will compete for a spot on the quarterfinal round against Guatemala's Eddie Valenzuela Barillas on Tuesday.

Esquivel dropped a split decision in his light heavyweight bout with Mongolia's Erdenebayar Sandagsuren and was eliminated from the tournament. He will have one more opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Games, July 3-8 in Vargas, Venezuela.

Welterweight Paul Kroll and heavyweight Cam F. Awesome will return to action on Monday. Kroll will face Hungary's Imre Balaz Acckai and Awesome will battle Kosovo's Armend Xhoxhaj.

(Photo of Antonio Vargas, right, with coach Kay Koroma in May 2016, by Isaiah Downing, Paste BN Sports)