‘It belongs to you’: South Korean boxer ‘returns’ 1988 Olympic gold medal to Roy Jones Jnr
Park Si-hun travels to Jones’ ranch in Pensacola, Florida, to give him medal from fight most observers believe the American won
Roy Jones Jnr was awarded the gold medal from the 1988 Olympics – as a gift from the South Korean fighter who beat him in their controversial boxing match.
Park Si-hun travelled to Jones’ ranch in Pensacola, Florida, two years ago and gave the Hall of Famer the medal that Jones seemed to have earned in a bout most observers aside from the judges believed he dominated.
The news was revealed on Wednesday in a short video directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Johnny Sweet and posted on Jones’ YouTube page. There are hopes that the video will form part of a larger documentary on Jones.
Jones went to his gym on May 30, 2023, believing it was for an on-camera interview. Instead, he found Park in the ring and both fighters’ families there.
“I had the gold medal, but I wanted to give it back to you. It belongs to you,” Park said through his son, who translated.
Park was awarded a 3-2 decision in the light-middleweight title bout in Seoul, South Korea, and lifted the stunned Jones into the air in the ring after the result was announced. He has said the criticism he received and the depression he felt sometimes led to suicidal urges.