Boxing has been a staple of the Summer Olympics for over a century, showcasing some of the greatest pugilists in history.
This sport, known for its intensity, strategy, and athleticism, continues to be a major draw for fans around the world.
Boxing at the Summer Olympics
Boxing made its debut at the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis. Except for the 1912 Stockholm Games, where it was banned due to Swedish law, boxing has been featured in every Summer Olympics since.
Initially, only men competed, but women’s boxing was introduced in the 2012 London Olympics, marking a significant milestone for gender equality in the sport.
Competition Format
Olympic boxing is structured in a knockout format. Competitors are matched in bouts, and the winner advances to the next round, culminating in the finals where gold and silver medals are decided.
The losing semifinalists each receive a bronze medal, eliminating the need for a bronze medal match.
Weight Classes
Over the years, the number of weight classes has varied. For the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the men competed in eight weight categories, while the women competed in five. Here’s a look at the weight divisions:
Men’s Weight Classes
- Flyweight (52 kg)
- Featherweight (57 kg)
- Lightweight (63 kg)
- Welterweight (69 kg)
- Middleweight (75 kg)
- Light Heavyweight (81 kg)
- Heavyweight (91 kg)
- Super Heavyweight (+91 kg)
Women’s Weight Classes
- Flyweight (51 kg)
- Featherweight (57 kg)
- Lightweight (60 kg)
- Welterweight (69 kg)
- Middleweight (75 kg)
Boxing Schedule at the 2024 Summer Olympics
The boxing competitions at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are set to take place from 27 July to 10 August.
The preliminary matches will be held at Arena Paris Nord in Villepinte, while the semifinals and finals will be conducted at the historic Roland Garros Stadium.
| Date | Event | Time (ET) |
| July 27 | Women’s Bantamweight Women’s Lightweight Men’s Lightweight Men’s Middleweight | 9:30a-11:30a |
| Women’s Bantamweight Women’s Lightweight Men’s Lightweight Men’s Middleweight | 2p-4:15p | |
| July 28 | Women’s Flyweight Women’s Welterweight Men’s Flyweight Men’s Featherweight Men’s Welterweight Men’s Heavyweight | 5a-7a |
| Women’s Flyweight Women’s Welterweight Men’s 51 kg Men’s Featherweight Men’s Welterweight Men’s Heavyweight | 9:30a-11:45a | |
| Women’s Flyweight Women’s Middleweight Men’s Welterweight Men’s Heavyweight | 2p-4p | |
| July 29 | Women’s Lightweight Men’s Lightweight Men’s Super Heavyweight | 5a-7a |
| Women’s Lightweight Men’s Lightweight Men’s Super Heavyweight | 9:30a-11:30a | |
| Women’s Lightweight Men’s Lightweight Men’s Super Heavyweight | 2p-4p | |
| July 30 | Women’s Bantamweight Women’s Featherweight Men’s Flyweight Men’s Middleweight | 5a-7:30a |
| Women’s Bantamweight Women’s Featherweight Men’s Flyweight Men’s Middleweight | 9:30a-12n | |
| Women’s Bantamweight Women’s Featherweight Men’s Flyweight Men’s Middleweight | 2p-4:30p | |
| July 31 | Women’s Lightweight Quarterfinal Women’s Welterweight Men’s Featherweight Men’s Welterweight | 5a-7:15a |
| Women’s Lightweight Quarterfinal Women’s Welterweight Men’s Featherweight Men’s Welterweight | 9:30a-12n | |
| Women’s Lightweight Quarterfinal Women’s Welterweight Men’s Featherweight Men’s Welterweight | 2p-4:15p | |
| August 1 | Women’s Flyweight Women’s Bantamweight Quarterfinal Women’s Middleweight Men’s Lightweight Quarterfinal Men’s Heavyweight Quarterfinal | 5a-7:15a |
| Women’s Flyweight Women’s Bantamweight Quarterfinal Women’s Middleweight Men’s Lightweight Quarterfinal Men’s Heavyweight Quarterfinal | 9:30a-12n | |
| Women’s Flyweight Women’s Bantamweight Quarterfinal Women’s Middleweight Men’s Lightweight Quarterfinal Men’s Heavyweight Quarterfinal | 2p-4:15p | |
| August 2 | Women’s Featherweight Men’s Flyweight Quarterfinal Men’s Middleweight Quarterfinal Men’s Super Heavyweight Quarterfinal | 9:30a-12n |
| Women’s Featherweight Men’s Flyweight Quarterfinal Men’s Middleweight Quarterfinal Men’s Super Heavyweight Quarterfinal | 2p-4:30p | |
| August 3 | Women’s Flyweight Quarterfinal Women’s Lightweight Semifinal Women’s Welterweight Quarterfinal Men’s Featherweight Quarterfinal Men’s Welterweight Quarterfinal | 9:30a-11:45a |
| Women’s Flyweight Quarterfinal Women’s Lightweight Semifinal Women’s Welterweight Quarterfinal Men’s Featherweight Quarterfinal Men’s Welterweight Quarterfinal | 2p-4:15p | |
| August 4 | Women’s Bantamweight Semifinal Women’s Featherweight Quarterfinal Women’s Middleweight Quarterfinal Men’s Flyweight Semifinal Men’s Lightweight Semifinal Men’s Middleweight Semifinal Men’s Heavyweight Semifinal | 5a-7:15a |
| Women’s Bantamweight Semifinal Women’s Featherweight Quarterfinal Women’s Middleweight Quarterfinal Men’s Flyweight Semifinal Men’s Lightweight Semifinal Men’s Middleweight Semifinal Men’s Heavyweight Semifinal | 9:30a-11:45a | |
| August 6 | Women’s Flyweight Semifinal Women’s Welterweight Semifinal Women’s Lightweight Final Men’s Welterweight Semifinal | 3:30p-5:30p |
| August 7 | Women’s Featherweight Semifinal Men’s Super Heavyweight Semifinal Men’s Lightweight Final Men’s Middleweight Final | 3:30p-5:30p |
| August 8 | Women’s Middleweight Semifinal Women’s Bantamweight Final Men’s Featherweight Semifinal Men’s Flyweight Final | 3:30p-5:30p |
| August 9 | Women’s Flyweight Final Women’s Welterweight Final Men’s Welterweight Final Men’s Heavyweight Final | 3:30p-5:30p |
| August 10 | Women’s Featherweight Final Women’s Middleweight Final Men’s Featherweight Final Men’s Super Heavyweight Final | 3:30p-5:30p |
Scoring and Rules
Olympic boxing matches consist of three three-minute rounds for men and four two-minute rounds for women.
The scoring system has evolved, with judges now using a 10-point must system similar to professional boxing.
Boxers are awarded points based on the number of clean punches landed, their dominance in the ring, and their defensive skills.
Notable Olympians
- Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay): Won gold in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Rome Olympics before turning professional and becoming one of the greatest boxers of all time.
- Sugar Ray Leonard: Captured gold in the light welterweight division at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, paving the way for a legendary professional career.
- Claressa Shields: Made history by winning gold medals in women’s middleweight boxing at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, becoming the first American boxer to win consecutive Olympic titles.
The boxing competitions at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo featured numerous memorable matches and notable performances. Below is a summary of the medalists and key statistics from the event.
Men’s Boxing Results
| Weight Class | Gold Medalist | Silver Medalist | Bronze Medalists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fly (52 kg) | Galal Yafai (GBR) | Carlo Paalam (PHI) | Ryomei Tanaka (JPN), Saken Bibossinov (KAZ) |
| Feather (57 kg) | Albert Batyrgaziev (ROC) | Duke Ragan (USA) | Samuel Takyi (GHA), Lazaro Alvarez (CUB) |
| Light (63 kg) | Andy Cruz (CUB) | Keyshawn Davis (USA) | Hovhannes Bachkov (ARM), Gabil Mamedov (ROC) |
| Welter (69 kg) | Roniel Iglesias (CUB) | Pat McCormack (GBR) | Aidan Walsh (IRL), Andrey Zamkovoy (ROC) |
| Middle (75 kg) | Hebert Sousa (BRA) | Oleksandr Khyzhniak (UKR) | Eumir Marcial (PHI), Gleb Bakshi (ROC) |
| Light Heavy (81 kg) | Arlen Lopez (CUB) | Benjamin Whittaker (GBR) | Loren Alfonso (AZE), Imam Khataev (ROC) |
| Heavy (91 kg) | Julio la Cruz (CUB) | Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (ROC) | Abner Teixeira (BRA), David Nyika (NZL) |
| Super Heavy (+91 kg) | Bakhodir Jalolov (UZB) | Richard Torrez (USA) | Kamshybek Kunkabayev (KAZ), Frazer Clarke (GBR) |
Women’s Boxing Results
| Weight Class | Gold Medalist | Silver Medalist | Bronze Medalists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fly (51 kg) | Stoyka Krasteva (BUL) | Buse Naz Cakiroglu (TUR) | Huang Hsiao-wen (TPE), Tsukimi Namiki (JPN) |
| Feather (57 kg) | Sena Irie (JPN) | Nesthy Petecio (PHI) | Karriss Artingstall (GBR), Irma Testa (ITA) |
| Light (60 kg) | Kellie Harrington (IRL) | Beatriz Ferreira (BRA) | Sudaporn Seesondee (THA), Mira Potkonen (FIN) |
| Welter (69 kg) | Busenaz Surmeneli (TUR) | Gu Hong (CHN) | Lovlina Borgohain (IND), Oshae Jones (USA) |
| Middle (75 kg) | Lauren Price (GBR) | Li Qian (CHN) | Nouchka Fontijn (NED), Zemfira Magomedalieva (ROC) |
Records and Highlights
- Cuba’s Dominance: Cuba emerged as a dominant force in boxing, winning a total of four gold medals in the men’s competitions. Notable champions included Andy Cruz in the Light (63 kg) category and Julio la Cruz in the Heavy (91 kg) category.
- First Gold for Japan: Sena Irie won Japan’s first-ever gold medal in women’s boxing, triumphing in the Feather (57 kg) division.
- Ireland’s Success: Ireland’s Kellie Harrington secured a gold medal in the Women’s Light (60 kg) category, marking a significant achievement for her country in boxing.
- Historic Wins for Bulgaria and Turkey: Stoyka Krasteva’s victory in the Women’s Fly (51 kg) category marked Bulgaria’s first boxing gold since 1996, while Busenaz Surmeneli’s win in the Women’s Welter (69 kg) category was Turkey’s first-ever gold in women’s boxing.
Medal Table
| Rank | Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cuba | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2 | ROC | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 3 | Great Britain | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 4 | Japan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 5 | Ireland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 6 | Turkey | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 7 | Uzbekistan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Brazil | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Bulgaria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | Philippines | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics showcased incredible talent and intense competition in boxing, setting the stage for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics where athletes will once again strive for glory.
As the world looks forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the sport of boxing continues to evolve. Changes in weight classes and qualification processes are expected to further enhance the competition.
The anticipation is high as a new generation of boxers prepares to make their mark on this prestigious global stage.
Boxing at the Olympics remains a testament to skill, endurance, and the spirit of competition, celebrating athletes who embody the pinnacle of pugilistic prowess.