Russia's Rakhim Chakhkiev savoured sweet revenge over arch-rival Clemente Russo by narrowly outpointing the Italian to win the Olympic heavyweight gold medal yesterday.

The two boxers knew each other well, having fought many times, and had a score to settle after Russo beat Chakhkiev by one point in the final of the world championships in Chicago last year.

Chakhkiev, 25, had the edge this time, deciding a tense, tactical if not thrilling showdown by landing two telling blows in the fourth and final round to win 4-2.

"The key tonight was that I had a huge desire to win," said the Russian.

"I wanted to pay a debt I owed him. We are pretty equal but today I was better."

Russo furiously argued about the decision immediately after the bout but had mellowed by the time he entered the news conference room.

"I had won by one point in Chicago, he won here by two. He was lucky this time," Russo said after failing to become Italy's first Olympic boxing champion since Giovanni Parisi won featherweight gold in 1988.

The Italian said he would have turned professional had he won but might now stay in the amateur ranks until the 2012 Olympics.

Chakhkiev was still unclear on his future: "I haven't thought about it."

Russo said: "He's waiting to see what I do."

The Italian said he had noticed Chakhkiev had a cut above his right eye but that he had avoided it because he was a gentleman.

"I didn't target the eye because then it becomes violence, not boxing," Russo said.