CHICAGO - Bantamweight Gary Russell and featherweight Raynell Williams qualified for the Beijing Olympics with convincing victories and built on the U.S. team's momentum at the world boxing championships on Tuesday.

Ali Hallab, left, of France, trades punches with Gary Russell, of the United States, during their round-of-16 bout at 54 kilograms in the World Boxing Championships in Chicago, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007. Russell advanced with a 22-14 win. [Agencies]

Russell outpointed fellow 2005 world bronze medalist Ali Hallab of France 22-14 in the round of 16, while Williams was leading 23-3 when his bout with Armenia's Azat Hovhannisyan was stopped in the third round.

"It feels wonderful," Williams said. "The only thing I've got to go for is that gold."

No U.S. boxer has won a gold medal at the worlds since 1999, but the Americans are now 18-3 and in good position to end the drought.

Russell and Hallab both lost semifinal bouts in 2005 to get bronze, so they didn't have to face each other then. But they met this time with a spot in the Olympics at stake.

Hallab tried to outbox the quicker Russell through the first two rounds, but that didn't work. A right hand and a possible slip sent Hallab into the lower ropes in the opening round, and Russell led 8-3 after two. Hallab was the aggressor over the final two rounds, but Russell held his ground and countered.

"He was getting desperate, trying to get points back," Russell said. "It made it a lot easier for me to counter. I'm glad it went all four because I had to get a sweat."

Russell's trunks started riding up on him during the third round, but that minor problem aside, there were few complications on a day when he realized one of his dreams. At 19, he's bound for the Olympics.

Williams, 18, grabbed an 8-1 lead in the first round and never looked back. He said everything was working for him, particularly his left.

The heavyweights were scheduled to fight later.