Featherweight (≤57 kilograms), Men

No favorite existed as all the top fighters from the 1982 Worlds and 1983 Pan American Games were absent due to the Soviet-led boycott. In their absence the gold medal went to 17-year-old American Meldrick Taylor. Taylor won the gold medal by unanimous decision over Nigeria’s Peter Konyegwachie. Though very young, Taylor turned professional and became a great champion in the pro ranks. He won the IBF light-welterweight title in 1988 and became WBA welterweight champion in 1991. In 1990 he fought the redoubtable Julio César Chávez for the WBA super-lightweight crown and was ahead on all cards through 11 rounds. With less than a minute to go in the fight, Taylor relaxed a bit and Chávez moved in and unloaded, knocking Taylor down with only 15 seconds left in the round. Although he got up, Taylor was out on his feet, and the referee stopped the fight with only two seconds remaining, Chávez winning by TKO. In 2000 ­The Ring magazine called this The Fight of the Decade. Taylor fought as a pro through 2002 with a career record of 38 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw. Konyegwachie also turned professional, winning his first 15 fights against lesser competition. He then lost to journeyman Patrick Kamy in October 1990, and retired.