Moscow: Akhil Kumar and Dinesh Kumar gave India a resounding start at the inaugural AIBA boxing World Cup, by entering the bantamweight and light heavyweight semi-finals  respectively, and assure themselves of a medal here yesterday.

While Akhil smashed Germany's Marcel Schneider 15-6 in the 54 kg quarterfinal, Dinesh overpowered Algeria's Abdelhafid Benchabla 17-11 in the last eight bout of the 81 kg category.

"I was slightly nervous to start with because the first bout is always crucial. He (Schneider) was not attacking and I also stuck to counter-punching. I kept my guard down, like I usually do and gained in confidence as the bout progressed," said Akhil.

Akhil will now be up against Olympics silver medallist Yankiel Leon Alarcon.