The light welterweight amateur boxing competition was the median weight class at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Light welterweights were limited to a maximum of 64 kilograms in body mass.
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.
Punches scored only if the white area on the front of the glove made full contact with the front of the head or torso of the opponent.