The competition consisted of a single-elimination tournament. Bronze medals were awarded to both semi-final losers. Bouts were three rounds of three minutes each.[1]
India's Sumit Sangwan fought well against Brazil's Yamaguchi Falcão before losing the bout 14–15 in what appeared to be a controversial decision in favour of the Brazilian. The decision not only angered the Indian team and the country's sports minister, Ajay Maken, but also led to an official protest which Maken confirmed on Twitter. Some commentators were also surprised by the decision, one describing it as "day-light robbery."[2]