Vargas, a gold medallist at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, was in impressive form in his under 52 kilogram flyweight division clash with Guatemala’s Eddie Valenzuela Barillas.

The 19-year-old delivered a strong performance to win the contest on the three judges’ scorecards, with the officials all awarded him the contest 30-27.

He will now take on Vincenzo Picardi, with the Italian boxer having been awarded a unanimous points victory over Fayzen Rakhmatshoev of Tajikistan.

The winner of the contest will secure one of five berths available in the division for Rio 2016.

Vargas’ team-mate Russell is also on the verge on an Olympic place, after ending the hopes of Australia’s David Biddle in the men’s under 64kg light welterweight division.

The American boxer controlled the contest to earn a clear victory, with two judges giving him the contest 30-26, while the third scored it 30-27 in his favour.

Jordan’s Obada Alkasbeh will now face Russell, having defeated Tunisia’s Ahmed Mejri convincingly on points in his bout.

In the men’s under 81 kilograms light heavyweight, India’s Sumit Sangwan progressed to the quarter-final stage of the competition by overcoming Mongolia’s Erdenebaya Sandagsuren by a unanimous points verdict.

The 23-year-old, who represented the country at the London 2012 Olympic Games, will meet the top seed Russian Petr Khamukov, after his straightforward points win over Slovakia’s Denis Lazar.

With only two spots available in the light heavyweight division, the boxers will have to advance to the final of the tournament to seal their place at Rio 2016

Only the winners in Baku progressing at heavyweight and super heavyweight, while top five boxers at flyweight, bantamweight, lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight will all earn Olympic berths.