‘Nothing Less Than a Crime’: Despite Getting Robbed at the Olympics, Boxing Legend Roy Jones Jr. Takes a Bold Step

The situation remains bleak for the sport of boxing and its presence at the Olympic Games. It was reported that the International Olympic Committee might exclude the sport due to issues with the International Boxing Association. Meanwhile, former four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr. recently took to Instagram to share his thoughts about the issue. And also urged the IOC to reconsider its decision regarding the sport of boxing.

The IOC had serious issues with IBA’s financial dependence on the Russian energy firm Gazprom. Moreover, they also slammed the IBA for its inability to reform itself.

They have also denied the IBA any involvement in the qualification tournaments at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. It is worth noting that the IOC had previously removed them from their involvement in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

In an Instagram video, Jones Jr.opened up about his thoughts on the possible exclusion of boxing from the Olympics. He also stated that such decisions would jeopardize the future of the sport. Jones Jr. said, “I don’t think it’s fair that the IOC is trying to blame IBA for what’s happened with boxing in the past. That’s old business. They had old leadership, old rulers. Different people in charge. And that happened then, that’s gone.

He further added, “Now what IBA has been doing is only things that are positive for boxing.”

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The former Olympian also did not mince words while saying, “To take boxing away from the Olympics is nothing less than a crime.”

Jones Jr. also urged the boxing community to stand up for boxing.

When Roy Jones Jr. got robbed of his Olympic Medal

Roy Jones Jr. has had a fairly successful professional career. Not just that, he also had a stellar amateur career to back him up. And this included a fight for the Olympic gold medal in 1988.

Jones Jr. faced Park Si-hun for the finals at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The then 19-year-old, Jones Jr. dominated the majority of the bout. He landed 86 punches while Si-hun landed 32 punches.

However, most of the judges ruled in favor of Si-hun. Making him the winner by decision. There was a massive outcry regarding the decision, which even led to three of the judges being suspended.

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What are your thoughts on IOC’s issue with IBA? Share your thoughts in the comments below.