Like all Olympic boxing events, the competition was a straight single-elimination tournament.[1] This event consisted of 26 boxers who have qualified for the competition through various qualifying tournaments held in 2011 and 2012. The competition began with a preliminary round on 31 July, where the number of competitors was reduced to 16, and concluded with the final on 11 August.[2] 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.
All bouts consisted of three three-minute rounds. The boxers receive points for every successful punch they land on their opponent's head or upper body.[1] The boxer with the most points at the end of the bouts wins. If a boxer is knocked to the ground and cannot get up before the referee counts to 10 then the bout is over and the opponent wins.