“God sent His Son to make peace between Himself and us.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18
Olympic boxing has been rife with charges of cheating for
decades. Controversies ranged from corrupt judging to broader issues within its
former governing body, the International Boxing Association. These problems
have robbed deserving athletes of their medals, leading to major reforms and
the expulsion of the IBA from all future Games.
Perhaps the most
brazenly appalling decision came in Seoul ‘88 games when Roy Jones took on
South Korea’s Park Si-hun in the light middleweight gold medal match.
American 19-year-old
Jones blazed his way to the final with a flurry of punishing left hooks and Muhammad
Ali-like footwork. Park (23) had been far less impressive on his home turf.
Some experts felt he should’ve lost all four of his fights on the way to the final.
Jones dominated the light
middleweight gold medal bout against Park. He barely raised his guard, pummeling
Park with 86 punches to Park’s meagre 32. The Korean even took two standing eight-counts
and was warned twice by the referee.
Judges from the Soviet
Union and Hungary voted Jones the clear winner. Those from Uganda, Uruguay, and
Morocco gave Park the win. To the astonishment of spectators worldwide, the
referee declared Park the winner by a 3-2 margin.
After the fight, the
three judges who declared Park the winner were suspended for six months. Two of
them were later banned from competitions for life.
As a result of
widespread criticism, Park’s life took a downward spiral. He battled severe
depression, facing multiple suicide attempts and the burden of being maligned
in his home country.
Roy Jones refused to let the incident define his career.
Motivated by his Christian faith, Roy Jones cemented his legacy by holding
multiple world championships in four weight classes, including the heavyweight
championship of the world.
The long-awaited day
of reckoning came 35 years later. Jones, believing he was heading to the gym
for a routine on-camera interview, was shocked to find Park Si Hun standing in
the boxing ring. In a heartwarming and emotional scene, Park greeted Jones
warmly and, in a moment of redemption and with the IOC’s final approval, returned
the ‘stolen’ Olympic gold medal he’d received in 1988 to its rightful champion.
“This belongs to you,” said Park via
translation. “I often wondered how my life would have been happier had I
finished second.”
Their exchange
symbolizes a powerful act of contrition, reconciliation, and faithfulness. “Life
is like boxing,” said Jones, “when you get knocked down, get back up!
Keep moving, keep fighting, keep believing in Christ!”
“I'm waiting on You Lord, and I’m hopeful. Though
it’s painful, I will wait patiently. I will serve and worship You even while I
wait and move ahead bold and confident, taking every step in obedience.” ~ John Waller “While I’m Waiting” lyrics 2007
