Ring legend Roy Jones, Jr. was on hand Monday at the AIBA press conference in Lausanne, Switzerland, where the organization unveiled its plan to reform amateur boxing and guarantee fair results for boxers.
Jones, who was famously robbed of a gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, had a lot to say.
“I want to start by saying how happy I am to be here. Yes, as some of you know, I‘ve had some fights since Seoul. And even some pretty big ones! But I’ve got to tell you. Whenever I see that photo, it feels like yesterday. And not in a great way.
“All the judges that were part of that decision were crooked. They’ve all been banned. And I know they were not the only ones.”
“So I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The judges were crooked. The whole world knows it. Even my opponent agrees I won the fight. But how come I don’t have my gold medal? How can you beat someone so bad and not get the gold medal, and they don’t go back and fix it? Because I’m still here. And I still earned it. And we have to make sure nothing like that ever happens again.
“It’s way past time to right the wrongs that have happened in boxing, especially in amateur boxing. That’s why I’m really happy to see my friend Umar taking a stand. That’s why I’m really happy to see people from outside of boxing stepping up to fight.
“I don’t know where all this is going to go. But if it helps make sure that fights are fair in future, that no other fighter is robbed in the way I was robbed, then count me in.
“The promise of a fair fight is the most important thing in boxing. Boxers need to know that when they step in the ring, there is a set of rules that are applied with real justice. They need to know that the only person they are fighting is the guy in the other corner. Not the guy in the white shirt in the middle or the judges next to the ring.
“I truly believe that today we are taking a big step forward towards that promise of a fair fight. You have my complete support.”
Man they should give Jones his deserved medal. Even blind people saw how he got robbed hard core!
Yes, you are right! In my opinion, the crookedness of those judges against Jones was nothing more than a demonstration of what we see today in some matchups. The typical excuses of giving victories to fighters all because they are the hometown favorite, the casinos/bets, favoritism with financial influence under-the-table, future business opportunities, and the underdogs have to take it away from the champion are nothing more but a deterrent to keep potential fans away from the sport with the continuous corruption. Now we have to combat the greediness of the networks and stale PPV high prices to meet the needs of the hierarchy. Yep, what a load of BS in how boxing has evolved in some ways.
Yep, that was one of the most obvious robberies I can remember seeing. That was Park Si-Hun who got the decision over Jones. Jones fought Richie Woodhall in the previous match. Woodhall was FAR more competitive, and lost a 5-0 decision.
Roy Jones, one of Russia’s greatest fighters.
To this day, I still cuss about that boxing crime committed against Jones, Jr.
Ask any Olympic boxer what it means to win a gold medal and you will understand where Jones is coming from.In fact the boxer that has the gold medal should man up and do the right thing and give the medal to Jones. Who in the hell wants something they didn’t earn, I certainly don’t. MEANINGLESS
Roy should fight another fan! One of us perhaps!
That, by far, was the worst decision that I have ever seen. There was no justification whatsover as to why it went to the Korean…other than homecooking. It was a completely one sided fight and right after the final bell, the TV broadcaster said “Another gold medal for the US” and his partner jokingly said “not so fast, you never know” because it was so obvious who won. After the decision was accounced he said in disbelief-“Well, there you go”
Such is life. I never liked Roy Jones. Never cared for his style of fighting and his clowning in the ring. Never cared for that horrid rap music he represented in his ring entrances. He was fortunate that he managed to avoid fights against Gerald McClellan, Julian Jackson, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Charles Brewer, and Antwun Echols. He’s lucky he didn’t face a prime, motivated Roberto Duran. He’s lucky Bernard Hopkins was far more defensive-minded than offensive when they first met. He’s lucky James Toney was fat, out-of-shape, and unmotivated when they fought. When he finally did get in the ring with a fighter he didn’t have enormous physical advantages over in Antonio Tarver, he was exposed.
The Koreans saw that fight differently and felt Jones didn’t win. Having spent some time in Seoul and gotten very familiar with Korean culture and the values they embrace, I’m comfortable with that decision. In this age of absurdity, I can’t think of anything more absurd than awarding Jones a gold medal many years after the fact, just because his stature, fame, and notoriety are now high, and he is whining and crying.
It’s understandable that Jones’ clowning and rapping would be off-putting for some, but it doesn’t mean you have to completely discredit him. I mean….he avoided Charles Brewer and Antwun Echols??? He pretty much dominated HOFer Bernard Hopkins, who beat Echols twice. Eubank himself said it would have been suicide fighting Roy at that time….he said that on the “The Gloves Are Off: Super Middleweight Special” episode. It’s on YouTube. Also, there’s a reason Hopkins was defensive minded that night. Jones also dominated Toney, who was among the top boxers in the sport at the time. Both guysboth likely HOFers, struggled to lay a glove on Roy. Just my opinion, but Jones handily beats everyone you say he avoided.
As far as Jones having “enormous physical advantages”, what are you referring to exactly? Remember, he started at 154, but had a pretty long title run at 175, routinely fighting bigger guys, unless you’re referring to advantages in speed/athleticism. He beat John Ruiz’ ass. Ruiz, whatever you think of him, was a belt holder and had some good wins at Heavyweight. A lot of people thought it was a mistake to go back down and fight Tarver in the first place. He was a rock solid 193 for the Ruiz fight. Jones-Tarver at Cruiserweight might have looked very different. Everything after Tarver was the downside of his career.
As far as his Gold Medal fight….he outlanded Park Si-Hun 86-32, and landed basically ALL the damaging punches in that fight. You said you spent time in Seoul, have become familiar with their culture, and are comfortable with that decision. I’d be really curious how Korean culture and the values they embrace would cause anybody to agree with Park Si-Hun being awarded a decision in a fight in which he was outlanded nearly 3-1?
I wasn’t even a Jones fan in particular, and understand that he had stretches where the competition wasn’t top notch, but give the guy a little credit. He was a legit pound4pound guy in his day.
Yes, Jones’ athleticism was exceptional coupled with that speed made him a great fighter of his era. Jones’ put the hard work into training and excelled at his boxing ability which demonstrates his multiple-weight division belts. Once Jones’ advancing age snuck up on him, it seemed his failing cat-like reflexes made him vulnerable to defeats. However, in his prime, he was a force to deal with.
I always believed that if RJJ had retired from boxing after the Ruiz fight (b4 the losses to Tarver and Glencoffe Johnson), he would have gone down in history as one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Remember, before he lost to Tarver/Johnson, RJJ had lost very few, if any, rounds.
– Gary G
He’s STILL one of the greatest of all time. His losses doesn’t erase what he did. RJ is a fighter who stayed around too long. In his prime, nobody could touch him.
I agree with you.
Despite sticking around way past his prime, Roy Jones Jr still goes down as one of the greatest fighters to ever step into the ring.
What the hell are you talking about ? “The South Koreans look at it different.” Jones was robbed. Hell, the South Korean that has the gold medal…has admitted Jones won the fight. No honor or pride in him keeping the medal.
What in the hell are you talking about ” South Koreans look at it differently.” Jones was robbed in front of millions of people. Hell, the South Korean that stole the medal even admitted Jones won in recent years. There is zero honor in that. Give Jones the medal. It’s never to late to make it right.
I would also add that two of the three judges who gave it to Park Si-Hun were eventually banned for life.
Man shut the duck up with that bullshit. Everything you said is simply stupid.
@Roman I may be entirely making this up, but didn’t the Korean fighter put his Gold medal around Jones in acknowledgement of the robbery or have Jones join him on the Gold medal podium? There was definitely a strong display of sportsmanship on his part. In referring to the culture of the Korean people, any culture of honor should have been appalled and ashamed to have accepted that gold medal, knowing it was an unearned gift. Furthermore, Olympic competition is governed by the rules of the IOC, not the hosting country. It’s laughable to suggest Jones avoided the fighters you mentioned, especially Charles Brewer, Antwun Echols, and I would add Julian Jackson to that list. He was fading badly as Jones was coming up, and was a shell of his former self by the time Jones hit his prime in 94 or so.
You’re joking right?? If not, despite rambling on how much you dislike Jones Jr, he suffered the biggest robbery in the history of the sport! Do you understand that the judges were corrupt and then banned? It would be good to acknowledge and make things right. Never too late. I hope he gets the gold medal he should have won.
give the man his gold medal.
i watched it live or on tape delay.
was terrible
Take judges out of boxing. It’s a fight! You either win by knock out, or your opponent quits. No more crooked bribed decisions. With no judges, promoters can’t pay them off anymore.
I always thought Jones ducked WBO champ Dariusz Michalczewski, although part of that was neither would fight in the other’s country. That fight should have happened as Michalczewski was his main rival at light heavyweight.
I believe that had a lot to do with neither wanted to go to the other’s country. It probably had something to do with him being on the downside of him career, but Michalczewski lost to Julio Cesar Gonzalez. I don’t believe he was a serious threat to Jones, but DM did have a very good resume himself.
Steve Collins always claimed he was “chasing” Jones, but couldn’t secure that fight. I always thought that Collins chasing Jones was like a dog chasing a car. Collins would have been thoroughly beaten in such a fight.
Michalczewski was old when he lost a controversial split decision to Gonzalez after nine years as champion and 23 title defenses. The Jones-Michalczewski fight should have happened years earlier.
Oh yeah, I forgot about him. If Jones ever ducked anybody, it was Michalczewski. How the hell did you remember how to spell his name? Both first and last?
lol. No idea. Just luck!
I think Jones’ Olympic experience had something to do with him.not wanting to fight overseas. DM was a very good fighter. That fight should have happened.
How about 2 chickens and a Rooster for your coup instead
Jones wants his gold medal so he can sell it. Such a shame.
Huh? Sniff some more glue. Why would the guy sell it? Hes worth over 40 million dollars made in excess of 55 million off his fights . Sell it? Lol
Lol whatever dummy! He’s worth over 45 million and made over 10 million just from the Tyson fight! Dont post dumb shit!
I remember his opponent picking him up and bowing, yet he kept that damn gold medal. So he wasn’t that sorry lol.
Jones should DEFINITELY be given his well deserved gold medal. They should make an honorary moment for him this Olympics to put him on the podium and crown him with what rightfully belongs to him. In a way though, I am selfish. Being robbed is what gave him a more intense fire towards building his legacy. Pcola in the house! However still…it’s way past the time to do the right thing but never too late!
Just went back and watched the fight, he dominated the entire fight, nearly stopping the South Korean, how could the judges sleep at night with that ridiculous decision? Roy should get his gold medal and an apology from olympics, that was felony robbery of the highest order, shameful. Also, listen to 19 year old Roy’s post fight interview, very classy at 19, awesome to see.
Roy won that fight, we all know it. If they have any integrity, makes things right. But to Roy, “Dude, you went on to win the Heavyweight Championship of the world. And that’s worth much more than a piece of metal that we ALL know you deserved to win.”
The Olympic committee IOC must unanimously agree to give Mr. Roy Jones the gold medal he won and it is not too late. He is a legend in the sport, has served it well and made his sacrifice while the 1988 winner has disappeared in obscurity. Give him so that his children, grand children, and his surviving team mates can see him wear it and share in the glory while he is still alive. He truly won it and deserves to have presented in a live and current ceremony. Not some posthumous award after he passes on. And, do it at this year’s Olympics.