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erronis

(21,270 posts)
Thu Sep 4, 2025, 03:52 PM Sep 4

Roy Jones Jr gets 1988 Olympic gold medal from the man who beat him -- The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/04/roy-jones-jr-park-si-hun-1988-olympic-gold-medal

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South Korea's Park Si-hun, left, delivers a left jab to Roy Jones Jr of the United States, during the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Photograph: Ron Kuntz/AP


Roy Jones Jr has been handed the Olympic gold medal he was controversially denied in 1988 in an extraordinary act of sportsmanship by the South Korean fighter who beat him.

Hall of Fame boxer Jones shared a video on Wednesday from two years ago that showed Park Si-hun visiting the American’s ranch in Pensacola, Florida to present him with the light middleweight gold medal.

“I had the gold medal, but I want to give it back to you. It belongs to you,” Park said in the video through his son, who translated.

Jones, who was overcome with emotion by the gesture, covered his face with his hand before saying: “Wow, that is crazy.”

Their match at the Seoul Olympics remains one of boxing’s most contentious moments as Jones appeared to dominate the fight but lost to Park by a 3-2 decision that drew instant criticism and sparked enduring controversy.


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