Vikas Krishan won his professional bout, beating Nickson Abaka with a unanimous 3-0 verdict, in the AIBA Pro-Boxing event at the GIP Mall here on Saturday.
The bout failed to rise above mediocrity as the two boxers looked more intent on defending rather than adopting a pro-active approach in front of a good turn-out at the open-air make-shift arena.
The appearance in this bout made Vikas eligible to take part in the last qualifier, for both amateurs and professionals, in the APB-WSB Olympic qualification tournament in Vargas, Venezuela, from July 3 to 8. Over six days, the final places for the Rio Olympics will be decided there.
As per the AIBA pro boxing rules, a boxer has to figure in at least two professional bouts to take part in the meet in Vargas. In his only previous professional bout, Vikas had lost to Uzbekistan’s Israil Madrimov in Tashkent in February. This event offered Olympic berths to the finalists of the middleweight category.
But, Vikas need not wait till next month to ensure a place in Rio. With five Olympic spots on offer in the AIBA World Olympic qualification event in Baku, Azerbaijan, from June 16 to 23, Vikas will be among the favourites to make the ‘cut’.
With most of the leading names having qualified, Vikas is expected to live up to his ranking — World No. 6 — and book a berth to Rio.
If Vikas makes it in Baku, he doesn’t have to travel to Venezuela. However, the boxer has announced that he would be part of the professionals in Vargas, irrespective of what happens in Baku.
