Boxing at 2024 Paris Olympics: How it works, Team USA stars, what else to know
Here's what you need to know about boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
When did boxing become an Olympic sport?
Boxing made its Olympic debut in 1904 and has been held at every Summer Games since except for the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm. At the time, Swedish law banned the sport. Women did not compete in Olympic boxing until 2012.
How does Olympic boxing work?
An Olympic boxing match lasts three rounds. The outcome usually comes down to scoring by the five judges. Each round is awarded to one of the boxers. A boxer wins the round when three or more judges score it in their favor. The boxer who wins the most rounds wins the fight – unless the fight ends by knockout or is stopped by the referee or ringside physician.
The competition will feature 248 boxers, 124 women and 124 men. The men compete in eight weight classes and the women compete in five weight classes.
Who are the top Team USA athletes in boxing?
For the second straight Summer Games, there are no Olympic veterans on Team USA. But that doesn’t mean there’s no talent. Jahmal Harvey, a 21-year-old featherweight, and Joshua Edwards, a 24-year-old super heavyweight, both won gold medals at the 2023 Pan American Games. Jennifer Lozano, a 24-year-old flyweight, won a silver medal at the 2023 Pan American Games.
What’s the international landscape in boxing?
The United States has won 117 medals, 39 more than second-place Cuba. But it’s been decades since the Americans dominated the sport. In fact, they're searching for their first men's gold medal since Andre Ward won one in 2004. The Cubans remain an Olympic powerhouse and at the Tokyo Games won four gold medals, more than any other country.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boxing at 2024 Paris Olympics: How it works, what to know
