Lightweight (≤62 kilograms), Men

With an outstanding American in Wallace “Bud” Smith and a strong challenge from a number of European fighters, the lightweight division was not short of quality. Belgium’s Jos Vissers won the European Championships in 1947, whilst the wiry Dane Svend Vad had won the bronze medal. Ireland’s Maxie McCullagh was also reckoned to be a prospect for honors.

All the major challengers reached the quarter-finals, where Vad had the better of McCullagh, and Vissers struggled before edging Canada’s Eddie Haddad in a contest which many thought the Canadian deserved to win. Bud Smith had been the most impressive fighter in the tournament but a much improved Vissers edged their semi-final, and was joined in the final by the South African teenager Gerald Dreyer. Dreyer had surprised Vad in the semi-final and continued to impress in the final. Vissers played the aggressor but Dreyer’s solid defense held sway, until a momentary lapse from the Belgian left him open to a left hook. Although Vissers recovered from the second round knockdown, the course of the fight was decided, and Dreyer took the gold for South Africa.

Bud Smith became World lightweight champion in 1955 and held the title for over a year. He retired with a career record of 31 wins from 60 fights, although a run of 11 losses at the end of his career distorts that record slightly. Smith was shot and killed in 1973 whilst in conversation with a woman who was the intended target of the gunman. Dreyer and Vad also enjoyed success as professionals, but not to the same extent as Smith.