Middleweight (≤160 pounds), Men

The German Bernlöhr was considered his country’s strongest hope but fell to Michelot of France in their quarter-final bout that was described as a “severe injustice” by German sources.

19-year old Cleveland native Carmen Barth’s bout with the Mexican middleweight Manuel Cruz ended with Cruz having the unfortunate distinction of being the only victim of a clean knockout at the LA Olympics. Whilst reports agree that the American was untroubled in winning his first two bouts needed to take the gold medal, reports of the final vary. American newspapers described him as “drumming a victory tattoo on the body of his Argentine opponent”. Other reports claim that, though boxing wildly, Amado Azar was still better than his more precise American opponent. The Argentinean was so upset when he wasn’t given the fight that he immediately left the ring and did not stay for the customary picture with the winner.

Roger Michelot of France lost in the last eight but returned four years later to take light-heavyweight gold in Berlin. Tragically, New Zealand representative Bert Lowe was long dead by then, a victim of a brain injury suffered in only his fourth professional fight.