The lightweight was one of five boxing weight classes contested on the 1908 Summer Olympics programme. Like all other boxing events, it was open only to men. The boxing competitions were held on October 27. The lightweight was the middle class, allowing boxers of up to 140 pounds (63.5 kg). Twelve boxers from three nations competed. Each NOC could enter up to 12 boxers.Official Report, p. 33. Australasia entered 1 boxer, who withdrew; France entered 3 boxers, 2 of whom withdrew; Denmark entered 2 boxers; and Great Britain entered 9 boxers.

Competition format

There were three rounds in each bout, with the first two rounds being three minutes long and the last one going four minutes. Two judges scored the match, giving 5 points to the better boxer in each of the first two rounds and 7 to the better boxer in the third round. Marks were given to the other boxer in proportion to how well he did compared to the better. If the judges were not agreed on a winner at the end of the bout, the referee could either choose the winner or order a fourth round.Official Report, pp. 418–19.

Results

Bracket

Did not start: G. Blake of Australasia; R. Eustache and E. Manzone of France

Round of 16

Wells and Holberg split the judges over the course of the first three rounds. The referee declared a fourth round, which Wells won in a contest which involved more grappling than punching. Bouvier was knocked down several times by Holmes before the referee stopped the contest. Jessup dominated his match, with Osborne not lasting past the first round. Grace, Spiller, and Johnson each won by decisions varying in closeness.

Quarterfinals

Spiller had the easiest time of it in the round, nearly eliminating Jessup in the first. The second round saw Jessup counted out. Grace and Wells fought a defensive bout, without either receiving much punishment. Johnson won a tight bout with Holmes by referee's decision.

Semifinals

Grace took a bye in the semifinals and Spiller's easy win made the round an uneventful one.

Final

Each boxer went to the mat in the second, but Grace piled on more hits than did Spiller to win the bout.

Standings

Rank Boxer Nation Frederick Grace Frederick Spiller Harry Johnson 4 Harry Holmes George Jessup Matt Wells 7 André Bouvier Edward Fearman Patrick Fee Hemming Hansen Waldemar Holberg Frederick Osborne

References

Sources Official Report of the Games of the IV Olympiad (1908). De Wael, Herman. Herman's Full Olympians: "Boxing 1908". Accessed 8 April 2006. Available electronically at .