Russia's Elena Savelyeva has beaten Kim Hye Song of North Korea in the first ever women's Olympic boxing bout.

Savelyeva took a 3-2 lead in a tight first round and continued to frustrate her opponent in the second, extending her advantage by one point.

Kim was struggling to work on the inside as the Russian initiated a clinch any time that she got within range.

The North Korean trailed by three as they entered the fourth and final two-minute stanza.

She tried desperately to reverse the outcome but went on to drop a 12-9 decision.