Kiwi super-heavyweight Leuila Mau'u has salvaged some pride for the NZ boxing contingent with a massive knockout to ensure a Birmingham Commonwealth Games medal of some description.
After the withdrawal of two-time gold medallist David Nyika with a broken hand last month, the New Zealand pugilists have struggled for wins at this tournament, with only two from nine fights, before Mau'u entered the ring against Leran Regis of St Lucia.
Those previous two winners - featherweight Alex Mukaka and light-middleweight Wendell Stanley - reached the quarter-finals of their respective weight classes, but could not book their passage into the semis, where they would have been guaranteed at least bronze medals.
In amateur boxing, semi-final losers do not fight off for third - they share the spoils.
Then came Mau'u.
For most of the first round, Regis looked energetic and busy, throwing more punches and promising to keep the result close.
But inside the final minute, Mau'u - whose reputed power was likened by commentators to former heavyweight contender David Tua - caught his opponent with a blow to the head that knocked him to the canvas.
Regis rose back to his feet, but his legs were rubberised and he crumbled back to earth, unable to continue. Mau'u remained emotionless, as he watched his rival revived.
The result sees him secure a final-four showdown with England's Delicious Orie on Sunday morning (NZ time).
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