Controversial Win Sends Griffin Into Medal Round at World Amateur

Eric Griffin took a step toward a second world amateur championship today with a controversial victory over a Mongolian fighter.

Griffin, who won a gold medal in the world championships at Moscow in 1989, was only two points ahead of Tsocthargal of Mongolia after two rounds of the opening bout, but he stopped the Mongol late in the final round with left to body.

Tsocthargal acted as if the blow was low, but the referee didn’t buy it. The result was protested, but was not expected to be overturned.

The 24-year-old Griffin, of Broussard, La., advanced to tonight’s semifinals. All semifinalists are assured of a bronze medal.

Tim Austin, 20, of Cincinnati lost 29-28 to Istvan Kovacs of Hungary, while John Ruiz, 19, of Chelsea, Mass., won his 178-pound bout by stopping Miodrag Radulovic of Yugoslavia in the second round.

The only other U.S. boxers remaining in the competition in 12 weight classes were Vernon Forrest, 20, of Marquette, Mich., at 112 pounds and super-heavyweight Larry Donald, 24, of Cincinnati.

Cuba had 11 boxers remaining entering tonight’s competition.

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