Defending light welterweight champion Manus Boonjumnong lost to Diaz Felix of the Dominican Republic in the final bout of the Beijing Games, dashing the hope to become the first Thai athlete to win two Olympic gold medals.

Athens Games gold medalist Manus, 28, faced Felix, 25, in the light welterweight final at the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing on Saturday August 23.

Manus, who was assigned to the red corner, started the game with his guards up as he waited to counter Diaz’s attacks. Manus received the first point but the aggressive Dominican caught up quickly. Diaz was able to hit the Thai boxer for the second time before the round ended. The score was 2-1 with Diaz leading.

In the second round, Manus was focusing on hitting the body of Diaz but could only get pass the tight defense once in the mid round. The two boxers were tied with 2-2 points.

In the third round, the Dominican kept moving forward but was hit at his body. In the mid round, he received a decisive boost as he scored a point from his flurry of attacks. More of Diaz’s flurries followed while he was able to fend off the attacks from the Thai. With his back on the ropes, Manus was cornered and soon the score went up to 8-3. The Thai fighter was at one time counted to eight. At the end of the round, Diaz received another point and led the score with 10-3 points.

At the beginning of the fourth round, Manus was hit with a heavy left hook but he did not give up and attempt to make aggressive moves. His efforts, however, were fruitless as the Dominican’s defense was impregnable. Before the round ended, each fighter received one more point.

Diaz won the match with 12-4 scores and was awarded the gold medal, while Manus received a silver medal, making him the first Thai to receive two Olympic medals, adding a silver medal to the gold he won from the Athens Games in 2004.

News: Siamsport