Featherweight (≤57 kilograms), Men

The obvious favourite for the Olympic title was the American Kelcie Banks. As both World and Pan-American champion he arrived as probably the biggest certainty for gold in the entire tournament. As such it came as a massive shock when his Olympic campaign failed to last past the three minute mark of his first contest. Banks was dealing comfortably with Dutch fighter Regilio Tuur when Tuur suddenly exploded a right hook onto his temple. He was knocked spark out and the referee ended the contest without even beginning to count.

The man who gained from Banks’ demise was the Italian Giovanni Parisi. Parisi took the Olympic gold medal with an series of fine displays that culminated when he landed a big left hook on the jaw of Daniel Dumitrescu which separated the Romanian from his senses and led to him being counted out halfway through the first round of the final. Parisi later turned professional and held world titles at both lightweight and light-welterweight during the mid-nineties. Tuur also became a world professional champion.

One of the most unfortunate boxers of the Games was Canadian Jamie Pagendam. He lost his second round fight with the Mongolian Tserendorjiin Amarjargal when the referee stopped the fight when Pagendam was hurt in the final round. The result was then overturned in the Canadian’s favour because the referee had overlooked the fact that Amarjargal had received three standing eight counts in the second round which, by the rules, should have meant Pagendam was awarded the victory. Pagendam was still not allowed to continue.