Welterweight (≤147 pounds), Men

Sixteen boxers, the most in any weight division at the 1932 Olympic Games, competed in the welterweight division. Bruno Ahlberg of Finland impressed in the early rounds, earning a standing ovation from the crowd for the performance against the Italian Fabbroni. In contrast the USA’s Eddie Flynn had a difficult time in his quarter-final, he had knocked Dick Barton to the canvas early in the fight but the South African recovered and had a barnstorming final round. Flynn’s early advantage proved just enough to see him through. Another quarter-final saw the defeat of one of the title favourites, the Mexican Al Romero. Romero had McCleave of Britain on the canvas on no less than five occasions but the last one was the result of a low blow and having already been given a warning, he was disqualified. His protests came to nothing. No less than an hour later, he had signed a professional contract and made his debut in the same ring six weeks later.

The semi-final round saw Flynn box his way past McCleave while Ahlberg went down to defeat against Erich Campe, a German policeman. The final was a close one but Flynn was awarded the decision by 60-59 to the delight of the American crowd.

Eddie Flynn, originally from New Orleans, was a dentistry student at Loyola University who supplemented his income by working as a janitor for $60 a month. He was reputed to have been undefeated in 144 bouts in the amateur code. Picked out by “Time” magazine as the outstanding fighter at the 1932 AAU finals, he insisted he had no intention of turning professional; four months after his Olympic triumph, he turned professional. He lost seven of his thirty pro bouts and never fought for a title although the money earned helped him set up a dental practice.