Conceicao wins first-ever Brazil Olympic boxing gold

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Robson Conceicao made history for the hosts when he won Brazil’s first-ever Olympic boxing gold in Rio on Tuesday, August 16 triggering pandemonium and becoming an instant national hero.

The man who sold vegetables and melting popsicles on the streets as an impoverished child defeated the Frenchman Sofiane Oumiha on unanimous points in a thrilling lightweight final showdown.

Each Conceicao punch was greeted with a cacophony of noise, against a backdrop of chants aimed at the Frenchman, 21, of “you’re gonna die!”

It was the first time at the Games that the RioCentro Pavilion 6 had been packed to the brim and they nearly took the roof off.

The first round was a cracker, as the pair went for it from the first bell, with the home fighter the busier of the two men as they traded heavy hits.

The electric atmosphere was closer to a football match – thunderous chants of “Brazil! Brazil!” – and the crowd were on their feet from the off, dancing, jumping and thirsting for Oumiha’s blood.

Round two was closer, with the young Frenchman forcing Conceicao, 27, on the backfoot, before he would swiftly snap back.

Oumiha held the centre of the ring in the third and final round and held firm when the Brazilian invaded his space.

But the Frenchman was having trouble getting clean hits behind Conceicao’s steady guard and the crowd reached a deafening crescendo as the bout reached its conclusion, and they counted down the seconds on the clock, convinced Conceicao had made history.

Bronze went to Cuba’s Lazaro Alvarez – a semi-final victim of Conceicao’s – and Otgondalai Dorjnyambuu of Mongolia. – Rappler.com