2012 London Olympics – Boxing: Ryota Murata edges Falcao for Japan’s 2nd boxing gold

LONDON (AP) — Middleweight Ryota Murata won the second boxing gold medal in Japan’s Olympic history Saturday night, edging Brazil’s Esquiva Falcao 14-13.

Murata is the only Japanese man to win gold in boxing since Takao Sakurai won at bantamweight at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Murata squeaked out the victory on the strength of a two-point penalty for an unclear offense by Falcao in the third round. Murata led after two rounds, but Falcao put on an impressive third-round rally.

Falcao and his brother, Yamaguchi, both fell just short of winning Brazil’s first Olympic boxing gold, with Yamaguchi winning a bronze medal as a light heavyweight.

via The Associated Press: Murata edges Falcao for Japan's 2nd boxing gold.