With almost 36 years late, US boxer Roy Jones Jr. was given a gold medal from the 1988 Olympic Games. Of the man who allegedly defeated him in Seoul. Happyend of a scandal.
Park Si-Hun traveled far. The South Korean, now 59 years old, went to a gym in Pensacola/Florida and hoped to meet the man there almost 36 years ago in the Seoul Olympic final with 3: 2 to points. And indeed: Roy Jones Jr. was assuming that he was given a TV interview there, to his gym. What happened then was like a miracle for Joney Jr.
He accepted the gold medal in tears, which he had awarded the entire boxing world in 1988 with the exception of three points. Park Si-Hun presented him personally and had his son translated for him: “A boxer simply knows if he won or lost a fight. I thought I had lost because I hadn’t done a fight who deserved a victory.”
The emotional reunion took place over two years ago, but was only now published in a short video that was shot by the EMMY price-crowned filmmaker Johnny Sweet.
“Park Si-Hun stolen the fight”
“It’s crazy,” says Jones as he hits his forehead and holds the gold medal in his hands. Parks 3: 2 victory on points was one of the most notorious moments in the history of boxing for decades. Jones Jr. had dominated the fight from the first to the last gong, but Park benefited from the home advantage. The TV reporter Marv Albert called the American television viewers at the time: “Park Si-Hun stolen the fight.”
For 16 years, this half middle -class fight was the last defeat of Jones Jr. without disqualification. He developed into a big champion in professional boxes and dominated the middle weight class primarily thanks to its speed. In Seoul, he was elected the best boxer of the tournament, even though he lost the final against the park.
Park, on the other hand, was ashamed of his victory and stopped boxing after the Olympic Games. He supposedly fell into severe depression and even had thoughts of suicide. He worked as a teacher at middle and high schools for 13 years before returning to boxing as a coach.
What the Stasi had to do with it
The United States’ Olympic Committee in 1996 called for an investigation from the International Olympic Committee after documents from the East German secret police Stasi revealed reports that judges were paid for to vote for South Korean boxers. However, the IOC concluded in 1997 that there was no evidence of allegations of bribes against the judges.
Filmmaker Johnny Sweet, who held the golden happy ending of Roy Jones Jr. with his camera, said the “New York Post”: “Turning this scene felt surreal. It was as if you were to watch in real time, especially as Roy cried in Seoul back then.”
AP/fro
