Flyweight (≤51 kilograms), Men

The lower weight categories are always prone to a greater turnover of boxers that other divisions as was proved by the flyweight division in 1964. At the start of 1964 not one of the four men who win medals in Tokyo could even be considered as favourites to be selected for their national Olympic teams. As often happens one of the most important bouts happened in the first round when Artur Olech put out European Championship medallist [Stefan Panayotov] of Bulgaria on a split decision. Olech comfortably reached the semi-finals and was joined by Fernando Atzori of Italy and Bob Carmody of the USA. The fourth quarter final was a memorable affair albeit for the wrong reasons. Stanislav Sorokin of the Soviet Union was awarded the fight when Jo Dong-Gi was disqualified for holding his head too low. The Korean refused to leave the ring and sat down in his corner for nearly an hour before he eventually left. Sorokin could not benefit further from this decision because he was forced to withdraw from his semi-final with Olech due to an eye injury. Atzori won his semi-final on a 4-1 judges decision against Carmody then won another 4-1 decision over Olech in the final despite being hampered by a cut eye. The Italian went on to a professional career and held the European flyweight title between 1967 and 1972 and again in 1973. Bob Carmody’s life ended just three years after his Olympic appearance when, serving with the US Cavalry in Vietnam, he was killed when his company was ambushed by the Vietcong.