OLYMPIC BOXING 6: 1932 OLYMPICS AT LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 08 Dec 2025
The 1932 Summer Olympics was held from July 30 to August 14, 1932, in Los Angeles, California, United States. The Games coincided with the worldwide Great Depression, with some nations not traveling to Los Angeles as a result the number of countries were depleted to 37 countries compared to the 46 who competed at the 1928 Games in Amsterdam.
Medals were awarded in eight weight classes. The competitions were held from August 9 to 13.
A total of 85 boxers from 18 nations competed at the Los Angeles Games:
Argentina (8)
Canada (7)
Denmark (2)
Finland (2)
France (6)
Germany (8)
Great Britain (3)
Greece (1)
Hungary (2)
Ireland (4)
Italy (8)
Japan (5)
Mexico (6)
New Zealand (3)
Philippines (4)
South Africa (5)
Sweden (3)
United States (8)
The Filipino boxers who competed were John Gray, José Villanueva, José Padilla Jr., and Carlos Padilla Sr. Villanueva won the bronze medal in the bantamweight class after winning the fight for third place against American Joseph Lang.
These are the results of the boxing competition at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles:
Flyweight
(−50.8 kg / 112 lb)
Gold - István Énekes (Hungary)
Silver - Francisco Cabañas (Mexico)
Bronze - Louis Salica (United States)
Bantamweight
(−53.5 kg / 118 lb)
Gold - Horace Gwynne (Canada)
Silver - Hans Ziglarski (Germany)
Bronze - José Villanueva (Philippines)
Featherweight
(−57.2 kg / 126 lb)
Gold - Carmelo Robledo (Argentina)
Silver - Josef Schleinkofer (Germany)
Bronze - Allan Carlsson (Sweden)
Lightweight
(−61.2 kg / 135 lb)
Gold - Lawrence Stevens (South Africa)
Silver - Thure Ahlqvis (Sweden)
Bronze - Nathan Bor (United States)
Welterweight
(−66.7 kg / 147 lb)
Gold - Edward Flynn (United States)
Silver - Erich Campe (Germany)
Bronze - Bruno Ahlberg (Finland)
Middleweight
(−72.6 kg / 160 lb)
Gold - Carmen Barth (United States)
Silver - Amado Azar (Argentina)
Bronze - Ernest Peirce (South Africa)
Light heavyweight
(−79.4 kg / 175 lb)
Gold - David Carstens (South Africa)
Silver - Gino Ross ( Italy)
Bronze - Peter Jørgensen (Denmark)
Heavyweight
(over 79.4 kg/175 lb)
Gold - Santiago Lovell (Argentina)
Silver - Luigi Rovati (Italy)
Bronze - Frederick Feary (United States)
Medal table
Rank Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 Argentina (ARG) 2 1 0 3
2 United States (USA) 2 0 3 5
3 South Africa (RSA) 2 0 1 3
4 Canada (CAN) 1 0 0 1
5 Hungary (HUN) 1 0 0 1
6 Germany (GER) 0 3 0 3
7 Italy (ITA) 0 2 0 2
8 Sweden (SWE) 0 1 1 2
9 Mexico (MEX) 0 1 0 1
10 Denmark (DEN) 0 0 1 1
11 Finland (FIN) 0 0 1 1
12 Philippines (PHI) 0 0 1 1
Photo: Horace Gwynn of Canada, gold medalist in the bantamweight division at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026