U.S. Boxers Griffin, Donald, Forrest Advance to World Amateur Semifinals

Vernon Forrest of Augusta, Ga., and Larry Donald of Cincinnati, became the second and third Americans to reach the semifinals of the World Amateur Boxing Championships with victories on Tuesday night.

Forrest, a 33-18 winner in a 139-pound bout against Peter Richardson of England, next meets Candelari Duvergel of Cuba.

Eric Griffin, who won the 106-pound title at the world championships in Moscow in 1989, earned a semifinal berth Monday with a controversial victory over Tsocthargal of Mongolia.

Donald stopped Petr Hrivnak of Czechslovakia in the second round of their super-heavyweight bout. He will face Svilen Russinoff of Bulgaria in the semifinals on Wednesday.

Griffin, a 5-foot-3 light flyweight from Broussard, La., had his victory protested by the Mongolians, who contended the left to the body that ended the fight in the third round was a low blow. The protest was rejected by the International Amateur Boxing Assn. The 24-year-old Griffin will meet Nelson Dieppa of Puerto Rico next.

All semifinalists are assured bronze medals.

John Ruiz, of Chelsea, Mass., lost, 20-14, to Andrei Kurniavak of the Soviet Union in the 178-pound quarterfinals.