The Heavyweight class in the boxing competition was the highest weight class. Heavyweights were limited to those boxers weighing a minimum of 81 kilograms (178.6 lbs). 16 boxers qualified for this category. Like all Olympic boxing events, the competition was a straight single-elimination tournament. Both semifinal losers were awarded bronze medals, so no boxers competed again after their first loss. Bouts consisted of six rounds each. Five judges scored each bout.^[1]