Light-Flyweight (≤48 kilograms), Men

There was an obvious favourite for the Olympic title in the shape of Bulgaria’s World and European champion Daniel Bozhinov who also boxed under his birth name of Petrov at various stages of his career. Bozhinov already had an Olympic medal, a silver, from the 1992 Olympics but the 1996 version was a far superior fighter than the one seen in Barcelona and was considered one of the finest amateur boxers in the world. In Atlanta he proved his supremacy beyond doubt and was never really troubled in any of his 4 fights. The tall Bulgarian had a distinctive style, similar to that employed by Muhammad Ali AKA Cassius Clay, which involved keeping his hands down by his waist and using his reflexes to sucker his opponents into leaving themselves open to his trademark left jabs and right hooks. His final opponent was Mansueto Velasco, brother of [Roel] (/athletes/7676) who was a bronze medallist in the same division 4 years earlier. Velasco’s attempt to be the Philippines’ first Olympic champion faltered from the beginning and Bozhinov was a clear winner by 19 points to 6.