Light-Heavyweight (≤175 pounds), Men

A meeting of two favourites occurred in the very first round, Germany’s Ernst Pistulla removing American champion Leon Lucas from the competition. Pistulla also disappointed the home crowd by defeating Karel Miljon, who had been considered the host nation’s best boxing hope, in the semi-finals. The other half of the draw saw the progress of the teenage Argentine Víctor Avendaño. Avendaño was a late addition to the Olympic team, his status as a conscripted soldier originally barred him from traveling to Amsterdam. A special permit was arranged and took his chance at glory with spectacular results. In defeating Pistulla in the final he became the first from his country to win an individual Olympic title.