Russian Elena Savelyeva wins first ever women's Olympic boxing match

Russia's Elena Savelyeva won the first ever women's Olympic boxing bout (Getty Images)

Russia's Elena Savelyeva won the first ever women's Olympic boxing bout today, bringing an end to the last all-male sport at the Summer Games but failing to thrill an intrigued crowd.

World amateur championship bronze medallist Savelyeva and North Korea's Kim Hye-song were enthusiastically clapped into the ring by a near-full house for the first of today's 12 fights.

After throwing the first punch, the most anticipated of the London Games so far, Savelyeva was rarely troubled but failed to land the kind of devastating blow needed to energise a crowd noticeably quieter that they have been for the men all week.

Savelyeva and Kim will be joined by 34 other women, spread across three weight categories.

Women's boxing had previously never been included because of a perceived lack of global interest.

PA