Park Si-hun Gifts Olympic Gold to Roy Jones Jr: Rematch 35 Years Later

Roy Jones Jr. Receives 1988 Olympic Gold Medal

In a touching gesture that has moved the boxing world, Roy Jones Jr. has been honored with the gold medal from the 1988 Olympic Games. The recognition comes thanks to Park Si-hun, the South Korean boxer who was declared the winner in a match marked by controversy. The news was announced through a video posted on Jones’ YouTube channel. Park Si-hun visited Jones’ ranch in Pensacola, Florida, two years ago and presented him with the gold medal that many believed Jones deserved to win in that fight. The meeting took place on May 30, 2023, when Jones went to his gym for what he thought was an interview. To his surprise, he found Park and both families gathered in the ring.

“I had the gold medal, but I wanted to give it back to you. It belongs to you,” Park declared through his son, who served as translator.

Park Si-hun

In the light middleweight final in Seoul, South Korea, Park was declared the winner by a 3-2 decision. The decision left many astonished and generated a wave of criticism and speculation. The International Olympic Committee investigated bribery allegations against the judges in 1997, but found no evidence to support them.

Despite not winning the gold medal, Jones was recognized with the Val Barker Trophy as the best boxer of the Games. His subsequent professional career was brilliant, conquering titles in four weight categories and accumulating a record of 66-9.

Park, for his part, retired from boxing after the Olympic Games and became a coach.