Just when you think all hope is lost, a ray of light shines through the darkness.

With darkness being spread throughout sports by the likes of Michael Irvin, hope is running thin. But just as it appears that drugs and arrests are about to suffocate the world of sports, a ray of light pierces the darkness and reinstills hope.

You may have heard of the light — its name is Roy Jones Jr.

Widely regarded as “the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world,” Jones is the IBF Super Middleweight Champion and is probably best known for being cheated out of the gold medal by corrupt judges in the 1988 Olympics.

No more, though, is Jones, who is 31-0 with 27 knockouts, a second-place finisher.

Jones is leading the pack in a category far more important than the medal he lost or the title belt he now owns.

He is an example.

He is a hero.

Since the summer day in 1988 that I sat in my basement and watched in astonishment as he left the ring, his face in a towel, an undeserving silver medalist, I have followed the career of Roy Jones Jr. very closely.

But never have I been so impressed by Jones as I was just over a week ago when he appeared on ESPN’s “Up Close.”

Not only did the champ answer every question with grace and dignity, he also exhibited a refreshing combination sure to knock out any opponent in life: respect, caring and intelligence.

This was best illustrated during the discussion concerning Jones’ family.

It is no secret that Jones and his father, Roy Sr., had their differences after the younger decided that it was time for the two to part ways in the business of boxing.

But when asked about his father by ESPN’s Chris Myers, nothing but respect flowed from Jones.

There was no contempt for the man who was extremely strict in raising him or the man who most likely cost him an earlier championship by moving him along too slowly — only respect.

Jones also touched on the subject of his troubled boxing brethren with his trademark class.

Approximately two weeks prior to the interview, the man Jones whipped to become the champ, James Toney, appeared on “Up Close.”

Every second of the 30 minute interview that Toney spoke only furthered one’s appreciation of Jones.

In short, Toney said that he wants a rematch with Jones and that he would win. (The validity of Toney’s sanity was later revealed when he boasted that he could also easily beat Mike Tyson.)

Jones’ response to Toney’s claim was, as usual, laced with honor.

Jones’ noted, modestly, how handily he thrashed Toney and that he liked Toney, and Tyson for that matter, as athletes.

But concern crossed his face, much like it would later when the topic of the dangers of boxing arose, when he expressed how much he wished that both fighters would work on their lives outside of ring, as well as inside.

Jones stated that he’s not in boxing to preach values to others, but that it is very important for him to act as an example.

As for the Olympics, Jones said that he accepted the silver medal that day because he was not representing himself, but the United States of America.

Representation from him is something that I will forever accept.

Not only is Roy Jones Jr. the best boxer, pound-for-pound, in the world, he may also be the best role-model, pound-for-pound, in the sports world.