Light-Heavyweight (≤81 kilograms), Men

This was a division where the European fighters, specifically those from the Eastern Bloc, were thought to be strongest although the 1955 European champion, Erich Schoeppner, was not present as he had elected to turn professional early in 1956. His successor in the German team was due to be the talented Ulli Nitzschke but at the last minute he was withdrawn to fight in the heavyweight division. This left Romualdas Murauskas, a Lithuanian representing the Soviet Union, as the popular favourite for gold. US fighters had not had a good Olympic Games but Jim Boyd of the US Army was about to change that. He outpointed Murauskas in the semi-final then ground out a hard fought points decision over Romanian Gheorghe Negrea to ensure America retained the title won by Norvel Lee in Helsinki. After leaving the Army Boyd embarked on a short and unsuccessful pro career.