Featherweight (≤57 kilograms), Men

The final came down to a bout between Mexico’s Antonio Roldán and the United States’s Al Robinson. Cheered on by the Mexican fans, the bout was stopped in the second round for a purported head butt by Robinson, although films of the fight failed to show this. In such circumstances, the disqualified boxer usually does not receive a medal, but Robinson was allowed to keep the silver medal. Both fighters turned professional, with Roldán having an undistinguished career, winning three fights, losing two, with one draw, and retiring in 1973. But Robinson came to a sadder end. He won 11 of 13 professional fights through the end of 1970. While training in 1971 he collapsed into a coma, and never regained consciousness, dying three years later. One bronze medalist in 1968, Kenya’s Philip Waruinge, who had lost to Roldán by 3-2 decision in the semis, came back in 1972 to win the silver medal in this class.