Yuriorkis Gamboa of Cuba picked off brave Frenchman Jerome Thomas to win the Olympic flyweight (51kg) boxing title on Saturday.
The 22-year-old Gamboa, who eliminated world champion Somjit Jongjohor of Thailand in the second round, won emphatically on points 38-23.
The 25-year-old Thomas, the 2001 world champion and 2003 world championship silver medallist, took the fight to the Cuban but was hit by a flurry of left jabs and right hooks.
He trailed 30-19 by the start of the fourth and last round and tried desperately to close the gap, but the Cuban danced to safety with the fight easily won.
"It was the first gold medal that Cuba won so I hope it brings good luck to the whole team and help us accomplish our primary aim, which is to win seven gold medals," said Gamboa.