Roy Jones Jr Receives 1988 Olympic Boxing Gold From Former Opponent

Roy Jones Jr., long believed to have been robbed of the 1988 Olympic boxing gold medal due to controversial judging, was finally presented with the medal by Park Si-Hun, the South Korean fighter who was controversially awarded the victory. Park traveled to Jones's home in Pensacola, Florida, two years ago to return the medal, acknowledging that it rightfully belonged to Jones, a gesture that deeply moved the boxing legend. The original decision, a 3-2 split in favor of Park, remains one of the most infamous scandals in Olympic history, leading to suspensions and lifetime bans for some judges, though an International Olympic Committee investigation found no conclusive evidence of bribery. Despite the loss, Jones was awarded the Val Barker Trophy for best boxer at the Games and went on to achieve great professional success across multiple weight classes. Park has expressed remorse over the outcome and the criticism he faced, which affected him deeply, while he later transitioned to a coaching career. The boxing community has widely praised Park's act of returning the medal and recognized the long-overdue justice for Jones.