Mario Alberto Demarco Completed Two Championship Distances
Mario Alberto Demarco challenged Myung-Woo Yuh for the WBA light flyweight championship twice, in 1986 and 1989. The Argentine completed the scheduled distance on both occasions, with Yuh retaining his title by decision.
The first South Korean challenge
Demarco reached the first meeting after winning Argentine and South American light flyweight championships. He brought an aggressive, high-volume style into the November 1986 contest against another boxer comfortable trading at close range.
Their first championship fight in Seoul went fifteen rounds. Yuh won unanimously in the third successful defense of his first reign.
The Cheonan rematch
Demarco returned to South Korea for a second championship opportunity on June 11, 1989, at the Dankook University Gym in Cheonan. That meeting was scheduled for twelve rounds.
Yuh again won on the scorecards. The two contests placed Demarco among the repeat challengers during the Korean champion’s long first reign at 108 pounds.
Demarco entered their first meeting with twenty wins, two losses and four draws, including eight knockout victories. He had put together fourteen unbeaten appearances since losing to Adrian Daniel Roman in 1983. His early pressure pushed Yuh backward, prompting the champion to exchange at close quarters. Their sustained trading reflected the similar attacking approaches that made this first meeting so demanding.
Sources
- World Boxing Association: Demarco’s two championship meetings with Yuh
- Asian Boxing: Demarco’s regional championships and first Yuh contest
