Like all Olympic boxing events,[clarification needed] the competition was a straight single-elimination tournament.[2] This event consisted of 28 boxers who had qualified for the competition through various qualifying tournaments held in 2015 and 2016. The 2016 medal competition began with a preliminary round on 10 August, where the number of competitors was reduced to 16, and concluded with the final on 20 August. As there were fewer than 32 boxers in the competition, a number of boxers received a bye through the preliminary round. Both semi-final losers were awarded bronze medals.
