Vikas storms into World boxing pre-quarters

India's Vikas Krishan Yadav stormed into the pre-quarterfinals of the middleweight (75kg) category with a 3-0 thrashing of Hungary's Zoltan Harcsa at the World Boxing Championships here on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old Vikas began in confident fashion at the Lusail Multipurpose Sports Hall here, getting in a couple of clear punches and setting the pace of the fight.

Having taken the first round unanimously, Vikas did not let up in the second, persisting with his aggressive approach, peppering the Hungarian with quick combinations and powerful uppercuts which seemed to rattle his opponent.

"He was slightly taller than me and I knew that I had to take the initiative. It was important to start in a positive manner and I think the way I fought today, I made my intentions very clear. After the first minute, I knew that I was landing my punches and from then on, I concentrated on getting my movement right and not allowing the opponent to settle," Vikas said after the fight.

The Indian pugilist will now face Poland's Tomasz Jablonski in the pre-quarterfinals on Thursday.