Yong-Hyun Kim Went the Distance With Yoko Gushiken
Yong-Hyun Kim challenged Yoko Gushiken for the WBA light flyweight championship in Osaka on January 27, 1980. Gushiken retained the belt by unanimous decision after fifteen rounds in the eleventh defense of his reign.
Career highlights
The South Korean boxer began his recorded professional career in April 1975. He became OPBF junior flyweight champion in 1979, adding regional championship success to a schedule largely centered on South Korea and Japan.
After the Gushiken challenge, Kim recorded victories over Grumman Ueda and Hiroyuki Tada. He defeated Tadashi Tomori by unanimous decision in Busan in August 1981 before losing to Siony Carupo the following month.
The later professional record
Kim defeated Carupo in their September 1982 return meeting in Seoul. His final recorded year included a draw with Satoshi Shingaki in Japan and a majority-decision victory over Sang-Moon Lee in Seoul in September 1983. His compiled professional record stands at twenty wins, eight defeats and four draws.
Before traveling to Osaka, Kim twice knocked out Sang Il Jung in 1979, winning in Busan in September and Daegu in November. His later schedule also included a knockout victory over Puma Koya in Seoul in May 1981 and a points defeat to Katsuo Tokashiki at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall the following month.
Sources
- BoxRec: Kim’s WBA championship challenge and Gushiken’s defense count
- Boxing Management Korea: Kim’s OPBF championship recognition
- BoxerList: Kim’s professional chronology and bout results
