BELGRADE: Indian boxer Sumit (75kg) sailed into the pre-quarterfinals of the AIBA Men's World Championships on Saturday after notching up a comprehensive victory over Tajikistan's Abdumalik Boltaev.
Sumit prevailed 5-0 in the bout against Boltaev, who wasn't lacking in intent but was definitely nowhere close to the Indian when it came to punching cleanly.
Sumit also copped a warning in the second round for hitting Boltaev on the back of his head repeatedly despite being cautioned by the referee but the docking of one point had no impact on his control over the proceedings as he emerged a unanimous victor.
In a late night bout on Friday, Nishant Dev (71kg) rallied to defeat Mauritian Merven Clair 4-1 to also secure a pre-quarterfinal berth.
Later on Saturday, five-time Asian medallist Shiva Thapa (63.5kg) will fight Sierra Leone's John Brown in the round of 32.
Sachin (80kg), who got a first-round bye, will open against American Robby Gonzales in another last-32 contest.
Govind Sahani (48kg) will compete in the pre-quarterfinals against Georgia's Sakhil Alakhverdovi.
The gold winners at the showpiece will walk away with a prize money of $100,000.
The silver medallists are to be given $50,000, and both bronze-medallists will be awarded $25,000 each. The total prize purse stands at a whopping $2.6 million.
India are being represented by its reigning national champions across weight categories.
