Light-Middleweight (≤71 kilograms), Men

The big surprise of the 1972 boxing tournament, and a very pleasant one for the home crowd, was the victory of West Germany’s Dieter Kottysch in the light-welterweight. Kottysch avoided the favourites in the early stages and watched as the top rated fighters began to eliminate each other from contention. Valery Tregubov of the USSR eliminated American Reggie Jones but was himself beaten by the young Briton Alan Minter whilst in the other half of the draw 1968 silver medalist Rolando Garbey fell to Wiesław Rudkowski of Poland. The semi-final between Kottysch and Minter proved to be one of the most contentious of the Games. Kottysch won the slenderest of decisions as two judges voted for him, two for Kottysch and the fifth judge had the fight even at 59-59 but gave the advantage to the German. The result received a mixed reception even within the pro-German crowd. Kottysch and Rudkowski, two old rivals, met for the gold medal with the German’s harder punching triumphing over the more skillful Pole. Rudkowski was also hampered by a cut eye during the final round. After the medal ceremony Kottysch announced that this fight was to be last. Bronze medalist Minter went on to a successful professional career which culminated with a spell as the middleweight champion of the world.