ATHENS, Aug 20: Pakistan's medal hopes in Olympic boxing competition dashed after star pugilists Asghar Ali Shah and Meherullah were thrashed by the Cubans in the second round on Friday.

Defending champion Kindelan advanced easily dancing his way to a 24-9 victory over Pakistan's Asghar Ali Shah. Bantamweight action completed the programme with a win inside the distance for Cuba's Guillermo Rigondeaux, the gold medallist from Sydney, whose bout with Meherullah of Pakistan was stopped in the third round.

Meanwhile, Britain's teenage lightweight Amir Khan taught experienced Bulgarian Dimitar Stilianov a boxing lesson on Friday to reach the quarterfinals. The European champion and twice a world championship medallist, Stilianov, 28, was resolutely punched out of the tournament by the gifted 17-year-old in the day's highlight.

"I've just boxed the European champion and he's 10 years older than me," Amir said proudly. Amir, Britain's only boxer in Athens, recovered from a tentative start to show off his dazzling skills and score a 37-21 victory under roars of approval from the crowd in the Peristeri hall.

British coach Terry Edwards, who has described Amir as the best boxer he has ever seen, was full of praise for the young phenomenon. "The guy is absolutely tremendous," he said.

"Stilianov is a very classy boxer and he didn't have a bad day, but he was out classed." Standing in Amir 's way to a medal will be South Korea's Baik Jong-sub, who out pointed Mongolia's Erdene U. Munkh to make the last eight.

The world junior champion, Amir strongly suggested on Friday he could reach the final, in which he would be likely to meet Cuba's Mario Kindelan, arguably the world's finest amateur boxer.

The most exciting bout of the day after Amir's stunning performance was a featherweight contest between German Vitali Tajbert and France's Khedafi Djelkhir. The Frenchman, who lost to Tajbert in this year's European championship final, attacked from the opening bell but the German counter-punched methodically to win a 40-26 decision.

Tajbert faces another tough test in the next round against elegant Cuban Luis Franco, who scored a comfortable 30-15 victory over Brazil's Edvaldo Oliveira.

The American squad, desperate for a boxing title after leaving Sydney without one, lost lightweight hope Vicente Escobedo, who was defeated 36-18 by Azerbaijan's Rovshan Huseynov. Once the dominant force in amateur boxing, the United States entered nine boxers in Athens and have lost four already.

RESULTS (SECOND ROUND):