The boxing world is set for a realignment of power as the Cubans look destined to relinquish their strong hold in boxing at the Olympics. In the 2004 Athens Olympics the Cubans dominated the Boxing winning a total of eight medals, five of which were gold. This year the Cubans have been significantly weakened by a series of defections, including all five of their Athens gold medal winners, and for the first time in 40 years Cuba has not qualified a boxer in all 11 Olympic weight classes. This has left a large opening which several nations will be looking to fill.

Great Britain enters the competition with arguably their strongest team ever. In Athens, Britain’s only medal for boxing was won by Amir Kahn, but as Beijing approaches they have genuine medal contenders in several of the weight classes. Britain’s best hope of a medal had been lightweight boxer Frankie Gavin who won gold at the 2007 World Championships. The semi final saw him defeat Russian star Alexei Tischenko who is now favourite to win gold in Beijing. Gavin has been forced to withdraw from the Olympics as he failed to meet the required weight of 60kg.

In the Welterweight class Britain are hoping for a podium finish from Romany Gypsy Billy Joe Saunders, but he looks unlikely to win gold due to the dominance of American Demetrius Andrade who won gold at the 2007 World Championships. Similarly, Britain will be hoping that David Price will finish on the podium in the super heavyweight category but he faces a tough challenge from Italian Roberto Cammarelle and Russian Islam Timurziev. Cammarelle won bronze in Athens and gold in the 2007 World Championships, although the gold was in part due to Timurziev’s withdrawal from the competition due to illness.

Zou Shiming is expected to win China’s first ever Olympic gold medal in boxing in the light flyweight category and American Rau'Shee Warren is strong favourite to scoop gold in the flyweight.

With Cuba seemingly weakened by their defecting athletes, Russia, Britain and the US look set to fight it out to become the new power in Olympic boxing.