By DPA,
Beijing : Badar-Uugan Enkhbat of Mongolia outclassed his Cuban opponent to take gold in the men’s bantamweight (54kg) boxing final Sunday while China’s Zou Shiming claimed victory in the light flyweight (48kg) division after Serdamba Purevdorj retired injured.
Enkhbat was never really bothered by Yankiel Leon Alarcon, running out an easy 16-5 winner.
The 2007 world championship silver-medallist landed some solid punches to lead 4-1 at the end of the first round, and while Alarcon shared the second round, the Mongolian extended his lead in the third with some accurate counter-punching.
Holding a seven-point lead going into the final round, Enkhbat continued to pick off his opponent, registering a comfortable victory, which was greeted with delight by the large Mongolian contingent present in the Workers’ Gymnasium here.
Enkhbat’s compatriot Purevdorj was less fortunate against Zou, however, as what appeared a shoulder injury saw the 2007 Asian champion forced to retire after just nine seconds of the second round to hand victory to the double world champion.
Zou’s victory saw China register its first boxing medal of the Beijing Games and the host nation’s 50th overall.
“I am very happy because I won the first boxing gold medal for my country,” said Zou.
“After a very good preparation I wanted to deliver to the spectators but I did not expect that my opponent would get injured.”
Zou wept for joy on receiving his gold, something he didn’t do when he won a bronze four years ago in Athens.
“I told myself, when you get gold, you can cry,” he said.
There are six boxing finals to be decided Sunday on the final day of Olympic action.