ATHENS, GREECE – A boxing career that started when middleweight (165 lbs/75 kg) Andre Dirrell of Flint, Mich., was only nine years old reached a new pinnacle on Saturday afternoon when the 20-year-old stepped through the ropes at the Olympic Games.
Dirrell opened competition for his U.S. team, taking on Dabateer Ha of China in first round competition and only the second bout of the Olympic Games. A slow first round by both boxers picked up steam in the final seconds of the round to give Ha the early 5-4 lead. The pace continued to quicken in the second round when Dirrell was able to work through his nerves and began to increase his punch output, giving him a 11-9 advantage at the midway point. The final two rounds showcased more of Dirrell’s patented hand speed and he extended his lead over the final four minutes to earn a 25-18 victory over Ha and advance to the second round.
“I didn’t start off great,” Dirrell said. “I should start faster, but I came on strong in the end.”
As a first-time Olympian and the first member of his team to compete, Dirrell battled through strong nerves as he prepared for the bout, but he was able to shake off the butterflies and earn his first Olympic win.
“I always get nervous,” Dirrell said. “Getting nervous is a tradition for me, but I think it is good because I am more aware in the ring when I am nervous.”
Dirrell will have an entire week to prepare for his second bout, which will take place Saturday, August 21. He will take on Algeria’s Nabil Kassel. Kassel earned a 41-36 victory over Glaucelio Abreu of Brazil to move on to his second round match-up with Dirrell.
Welterweight (152 lbs/69 kg) Vanes Martirosyan (Glendale, Calif.) will be Team USA’s next competitor when he battles Benamar Meskine of Algeria on Sunday afternoon.
