Bantamweight (≤54 kilograms), Men

Kennedy McKinney of the United States was a clear and deserved winner at bantamweight and overwhelmingly defeated each of the four boxers that shared the ring of him. His progress to the gold medal was relatively uneventful - which was more than you could say for the events of the first round clash between Aleksandar Khristov of Bulgaria and Byeon Jeong-Il of South Korea.

Khristov and Byeon fought an even contest with the decisive factor in the Bulgarian’s favour being two points deductions issued for Byoen’s illegal use of the head. When the result was announced all hell broke loose. Firstly the Korean’s trainer charged into the ring and punched Keith Walker, the New Zealander who refereed the fight. More Koreans followed and Walker had to be protected by his fellow officials until security arrived to bundle him out of the arena. Unfortunately some of the Korean security guards sympathized with their countryman and also attempted to strike the referee. Walker returned home to New Zealand also immediately. Emil Yentchev, the Bulgarian who was the head of referees, was also targeted for reprisals and an attempt to hit him on the head with a plastic box was only thwarted by the hand of one of his fellow officials. After the disturbance had been quelled the only man to remain in the ring was the defeated Korean boxer. The following bouts were abandoned as he staged a sit down protest in his corner. He abandoned his protest after 67 minutes after the lights had been turned out in the arena.

As a result of the protest the Korean government issued a public apology to the people of New Zealand, the head of the national Olympic committee resigned, and five officials received lengthy bans.

This event was due to see the first appearance of an Olympic competitor from the Pacific island of Vanuatu but Edouard Paululum was ruled out after being 0.5 kilos above the weight limit. This was blamed on a rather too large breakfast.