Zou Shiming won China's first Olympic boxing title when his Mongolian opponent Serdamba Purevdorj retired in the second round of their light-flyweight final on Sunday.
World champion Zou was leading 1-0 on the scoreboard 19 seconds into the second round when Purevdorj, apparently injured, returned to his corner.
His coach threw in the towel, meaning the 27-year-old Zou, who had handed China their first boxing medal with bronze at the 2004 Athens Games, was awarded victory to deafening roars from a partisan crowd.
"I prepared very hard for today's tough fight. But it happened beyond my expectations. I am proud to show the strength of Chinese people with my fist," said Zou.
Semi-final losers Paddy Barnes of Ireland and Yampier Hernandez of Cuba shared bronze.
Complete coverage: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
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