Light-Flyweight (≤48 kilograms), Men

Although world champion Juan Torres Odelin was missing due to the boycott it still appeared that North American fighters would be difficult to beat in Seoul, notably Luis Rolón of Puerto Rico and American Michael Carbajal. Both men drew tough Asian opponents in the first round and, while Carbajal survived a close contest with Oh Gwang-Su, a Korean fighter of whom of the host nation had high hopes, Rolón was eliminated in an equally close match with Chatchai Sasakul of Thailand.

The American had little difficulty with his next three opponents and found himself facing Ivaylo Hristov of Bulgaria for the gold medal. Hristov was a former World and European but at 28 was considered ancient for a light-flyweight and passed his best. The Bulgarian successfully boxed on the retreat in round one but Carbajal upped his work rate and won the second clearly. The final round was close but all five judges gave it, and the Olympic title to Hristov.

Ivaylo Hristov was a member of the Turkish minority and as such had been forced to change his name under the policies brought in by the regime of Todor Zhivkov. He competed at the 1980 Olympics under his birth name of Ismail Mustafov. Carbajal went on to a lucrative career as a professional in which he had three separate reigns as world light-flyweight champion.