Olympic tournaments are single elimination and boxers are not seeded. For this reason it is possible - and indeed often happens - that the 2 best fighters in a division meet in their first match rather than at the final.

There are many safety measures in boxing in order to avoid injuries. Competitors must wear protective head gar. If a boxer is knocked down or stunned they may not resume fighting until the count of 8. Three counts of 8 in a round or in a fight mean automatic defeat for the downed boxer. A single count of 10 is deemed a knock out - end of fight. The referee is empowered to stop the contest if he believes a boxer is receiving excessive punishment or a boxer is in danger. A boxer must be 17 years old and no older than 32 years old.

Since 1960, Olympic bouts are judges by 5 ringside judges. The International Amateur Association (AIBA) introduced methods to avoid riots and attacks on judges and the referee. Daily alcohol tests for the judges and referees are taken; judges and referees are kept out of reach and they must not attend cocktail parties without the permission of the AIBA executive committee.

In 1992, computerised scoring was introduced. Each judges was given a console. When a boxer connected with a punch, the judge pushes a button corresponding to that boxer.. If three of the five judges press the button within 1 second, that boxer receives a point. Whichever boxer registers the most points at the end of the 3 rounds is declared the winner.

Boxing is one of the last Olympic sports in which professionals cannot compete. It made its Olympic debut in 1904 and will be held in Exhibition Hall 3 in Darling Harbour.

Boxing:Top 5 Countries

	G	S	B	Total
Unites States	46	21	29	96
Soviet Union	14	20	19	53
Great Britain	12	10	21	43
Poland	8	9	26	43
Italy	14	12	13	39