The matchup, which pitted a British and Irish fighter together in a gold medal boxing bout for the first time in history, saw both receive an amazing reception from the fans, who were treated to a repeat of the pair's thrilling semi-final fight at the World Championships last year in Baku.

In that bout, Campbell (pictured above) claimed a narrow win and the 24-year-old from Hull appeared to pick up where he left off in Baku as he edged the first round 5-3 by landing the cleaner shots.

However, Nevin came straight back in the second as the 23-year-old from Mullingar, County Westmeath, showed more aggression to take the round 5-4 and reduce Campbell's advantage to 9-8 going into the final round.

But it was the Briton who dominated the last round with some clubbing blows, one of which floored his rival, as he took the round 5-3 to claim a four point win.

The victory made Campbell the first Briton to claim Olympic gold at bantamweight since Henry Thomas at the London 1908 Olympics.

John Joe Nevin (left) throws a punch against Luke Campbell during the London 2012 men's bantamwight boxing final 

Even before the decision was confirmed, Campbell was in tears as he knew he had the win.

He raised his hands in triumph as the verdict was announced – causing deafening crowd celebrations that almost lifted the roof of the ExCeL.

"This is a dream come true for me," said Campbell.

"I honestly can't believe I have just won gold.

"It has been a long journey to get here after missing out on the Beijing 2008 Olympics but this makes all the hard work and the training worth it.

"I'm so proud to win this gold for Britain."

The win comes after Nicola Adams won gold in the women's boxing event on Thursday (August 9) and Anthony Ogogo won bronze in the men's middleweight yesterday to give the best performance by a British boxing team at an Olympics since Melbourne 1956, when they won two golds, a silver and a bronze.

Luke Campbell tries to hold back the tears after winning the bantamwight boxing final and securing a London 2012 gold medal 

The British boxers have a chance to surpass that when welterweight Fred Evans and superheavyweight Anthony Joshua go for gold tomorrow, with both guaranteed at least a silver.

Meanwhile, Nevin's silver marks a successful boxing tournament for Ireland as it adds to the gold from lightweight Katie Taylor on the women's side, the two bronzes on the men's side from light flyweight Paddy Barnes and flyweight Michael Conlan.

Irleand have won four of their five medals at the London Games in the ring.

Nevin though, was gracious in defeat.

"I'm a little bit disappointed to take the silver medal but when I go home and think about it I'll probably be pleased," he said.

"Not long before the Games I was talking about not coming because I hadn't been performing.

"Congratulations to Luke, he's a fantastic boxer.

"He got his tactics right today.

"I maybe could have done a little bit more but I'm taking nothing away from him."

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