Indian boxers Akash Kumar (54kg) and Narender Berwal (+92kg) advanced to the quarter-finals of the AIBA men’s World Championships here on Sunday, notching up contrasting but exhilarating victories against their respective opponents.

Impressive Narender

While Akash staved off a stiff challenge from Puerto Rico’s Caleb Tirado to clinch it 5-0, Narender pummelled a heavily distracted and mostly sluggish Jakhon Qurbonov of Tajikistan, stopping him in the second round itself. Akash, who received a walkover in the last round, was up against a sprightly Tirado and he did trouble the Indian with his close-range game.