Diaz claims light-welterweight gold
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Felix Diaz of the Dominican Republic has a won his country's first ever Olympic boxing title, beating Thailand's Manus Boonjumnong for light-welterweight gold at the Beijing Games.
Manus was the reigning champion but he struggled to contain the Dominican, who stands only 5 foot 5 inches tall.
The pair were level at 2-2 after the first round but Diaz dominated the third, scoring eight points to just one as he swarmed all over Manus and never stopped throwing haymakers that one way or another found their target.
"We spent all day yesterday watching videos of Boonjomnong because we knew that there has to be an effective strategy to fight him," Diaz said.
"Nobody else could find the right strategy but I guess we did.
"I wanted to come to Beijing and win a medal, any kind of medal and I got the gold.
"I made history because I'm the second boxer in the history of the Dominican Republic to win a medal.
"This is so important for me but also for my country. I don't have a coach, I have a magician.
"I want to dedicate my victory to my parents, my two little kids and to all the people in the Dominican Republic who have been watching my bouts at 3am in the morning every day just to support me."
Manus, a reformed playboy, has reportedly blown more than $US500,000, given to him by the Thai government for winning gold in Athens, on women, drink and gambling.
He was gracious in defeat, smiling broadly throughout the bout and even after losing.
"I did my best. Usually whenever I punch the score registers but in this fight I punched a lot and nothing registered," Manus said. "I have come this far and I am satisfied."
Cuba's Roniel Iglesias and Alexis Vastine of France, who had complained of being robbed in his semi-final defeat to Diaz, won the bronze medals.
-AFP
