In a gesture of great sportsmanship and recognition, the legendary boxer Roy Jones Jr. has received the gold medal that was taken from him at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The gift came from South Korean boxer Park Si-hun, who was declared the winner in a controversial decision.
Two years ago, Park Si-hun traveled to Jones’ ranch in Pensacola, Florida, to deliver the gold medal that many believed Jones deserved to win in that fight. The news was revealed on Wednesday through a video posted on Jones’ YouTube channel.
Jones, believing he would attend an interview, was surprised at his gym on May 30, 2023. Park and his families were present in the ring.
“I had the gold medal, but I wanted to give it back to you. It belongs to you,” Park said through his son, who acted as a translator.
Park Si-hun
Roy Jones Jr., a la derecha, perdió por decisión controvertida ante Park Si-hun de Corea del Sur en la pelea por la medalla de oro en la división de peso mediano ligero en los Juegos Olímpicos de Verano de 1988 en Seúl. Foto AP/Ron KutzIn the fight for the light middleweight title in Seoul, South Korea, Park was declared the winner by a 3-2 decision. Jones, visibly surprised, was lifted in the ring after the announcement of the result. Park has mentioned that the criticism and depression he suffered at times led him to have suicidal impulses.
The International Olympic Committee concluded in 1997 that there was no evidence to support the bribery allegations against the judges who voted in favor of Park. The United States Olympic Committee requested an investigation in 1996 after documents from East German secret police revealed reports of judges being paid to vote for South Korean boxers.
Despite not winning gold, Jones was awarded the Val Barker Trophy for the best boxer of the Games. Subsequently, he won titles in four weight classes, from middleweight to heavyweight, and had a professional record of 66-9.
Park retired from boxing after the Olympics, but then became a coach.
