Tragic End of South Korean Boxing Legend Yo-Sam Choi
Yo-Sam Choi was a South Korean boxer from Jeongeup who turned professional in 1993. He became the WBC light-flyweight world champion in 1999 and held the title until 2002, when Jorge Arce stopped him in their championship bout. The World Boxing Council’s title history records Choi’s reign from 1999 to 2002.
World title career
Choi won the WBC light-flyweight title by decision against Thailand’s Saman Sorjaturong in 1999. He made three successful defenses before Arce won their July 2002 fight by sixth-round technical knockout. Choi later competed at flyweight and captured the WBO Intercontinental title in 2007. He was defending that belt when he fought Amol in December.
His final fight
On December 25, 2007, Choi defended the WBO Intercontinental flyweight title against Indonesia’s Heri Amol in Seoul. Choi won by unanimous decision, despite being knocked down in the last seconds of the 12th round. He collapsed after the fight and underwent emergency surgery for a brain hemorrhage. The Korea Times’ contemporaneous report and ABC News’ report document the bout and his injury.
Death and organ donation
Doctors declared Choi brain-dead on January 2, 2008. After life support was withdrawn, he died early the next day. His heart, kidneys, liver, and corneas were donated to help six patients. The Korea Times reported that he was 34 at the time of his death; contemporary reporting also said the South Korean government planned to honor him for his final title defense and organ donation.
Sources
- World Boxing Council: light-flyweight title history
- The Korea Times: Choi’s final fight, death, and organ donation
- ABC News: Choi dies after head injuries in title defense
- Taipei Times: organ donation and planned government medal
Career records and reporting: boxrec.com.
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
