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by David P. Greisman - Of all the truths readily apparent following the recent Olympic boxing tournament, one matter that is abundantly clear is the state of American boxing in international competition.
It ain’t what it once was. And that has become true for professional pugilism, too. Meanwhile, several other countries have begun to produce their own foreign powers. More on both of those later.
In the last 40 years, the United States has medaled 53 times in boxing at the summer games. But after an extended period of success, the program has seen a rapid decline.
A brief rundown:
In 1968, the team won seven medals, including two gold, one silver and four bronze. George Foreman came out on top among the heavyweights that year. In 1972, American boxers won one gold medal and three bronze.
The 1976 team became the measuring stick against which future programs would be held. Five men won gold medals, including Howard Davis, Sugar Ray Leonard, Leon Spinks and Michael Spinks. Another fighter pulled in silver, while a seventh earned a bronze. Alas, the members of the 1980 team never got a chance to compete, with the United States boycotting the Moscow games in protest of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. [details]
It ain’t what it once was. And that has become true for professional pugilism, too. Meanwhile, several other countries have begun to produce their own foreign powers. More on both of those later.
In the last 40 years, the United States has medaled 53 times in boxing at the summer games. But after an extended period of success, the program has seen a rapid decline.
A brief rundown:
In 1968, the team won seven medals, including two gold, one silver and four bronze. George Foreman came out on top among the heavyweights that year. In 1972, American boxers won one gold medal and three bronze.
The 1976 team became the measuring stick against which future programs would be held. Five men won gold medals, including Howard Davis, Sugar Ray Leonard, Leon Spinks and Michael Spinks. Another fighter pulled in silver, while a seventh earned a bronze. Alas, the members of the 1980 team never got a chance to compete, with the United States boycotting the Moscow games in protest of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. [details]
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