What happened to korean boxing?

[TheIronMike]

Really had some phenomenal fighters, specifically Jung Koo Chang and Myung Yoo Woo in the late 80s.

Why did boxing in Korea fall off while boxing in Japan has stayed fairly consistent throughout the years.

Japan does have a strong national pro boxing commission, similar to the BBBoC, with a legitimate National Title, which gives lower ranked fighters something to aim for...

[Malvado]

I am not really well informed about the Korean boxing scene. The top 5 figthers are:

5. Soo-Hwan Hong (1969-1980): In 1974, Hong traveled to South Africa and unseated WBA Bantamweight Champion Arnold Taylor by dominant 15-round decision. Unfortunately for him, his reign ran headlong into the greatest bantamweight era of all time, and Hong soon found himself on the wrong side of two knockouts at the hands of Alfonso Zamora. He was still able to dominate a demanding Asian scene during this time. In 1977, he rose from 4 second-round knockdowns to smash incredible 17-year old Hector Carrasquilla in the third to claim the WBA 122-pound crown.




4. Sung-Kil Moon (1987-1993): Power-punching two-division champion won the WBA Bantamweight title in only his 7th fight over unbeaten and tough Thai Kaokor Galaxy. Made two defenses before losing title back to Galaxy. Dropped to 115 pounds and beat undefeated power-hitter Nana Konadu for the WBC 115-pound crown. Moon went on to make 8 defenses, including another win over Konadu and several other former or future champions before losing his title in 1993. Of his 22 bouts, 15 were world title fights.



3. Ki-Soo Kim (1961-1969): Talented southpaw junior middleweight cleaned up on the Asian scene, before setting his sights on world title honors. His 1966 win over 65-0 Nino Benvenuti was a huge upset at the time, earning Kim the WBA and WBC 154-pound titles. Among his defenses were wins over top Americans Stan Harrington and Freddie Little. His only 2 losses came in his final 3 fights.




2. Myung-Woo Yuh (1982-1993): “Sonagi” won his first 36 fights, which included 18 world title-fight victories. Yuh defeated a good champion in stringbean Mexican Joey Olivo in 1985, before embarking on a lengthy title reign. He added power to his incredible speed as he progressed. In 1990, Yuh faced his toughest challenger in 4-division champion and unbeaten Leo Gamez, winning a unanimous decision. He would repeat the win in his next defense. Yuh lost his title to talented Japanese Hiroki Ioka in 1991 by split decision, waiting a year to get a rematch, which he won by majority decision. Made one more defense before retiring as champion in 1993.



1. Jung-Koo Chang (1980-1991): “The Korean Hawk” was the finest fighter to come out of South Korea and his nation’s first fighter to be inducted into the IBHOF. Lost a split decision to Panamanian great Hilario Zapata, before returning the favor and claiming the WBA 108-pound crown in 1983 with a 3rd-round knockout. Chang defended that crown 15 times. Of his 16 title-fight wins, 8 came against fighters who would go on to win world titles. Retired as reigning champion with one avenged loss, before financial problems brought him back, where he lost 3 of 4.




Top 5 Best South Korean Boxers - ProBoxing-Fans.com

Wonder if Brandun Lee counts, at least now he is finally stepping up his competition, but I doubt he bring boxing's popularity back to Korea.

[Regge]

I am not really well informed about the Korean boxing scene. The top 5 figthers are:

5. Soo-Hwan Hong (1969-1980): In 1974, Hong traveled to South Africa and unseated WBA Bantamweight Champion Arnold Taylor by dominant 15-round decision. Unfortunately for him, his reign ran headlong into the greatest bantamweight era of all time, and Hong soon found himself on the wrong side of two knockouts at the hands of Alfonso Zamora. He was still able to dominate a demanding Asian scene during this time. In 1977, he rose from 4 second-round knockdowns to smash incredible 17-year old Hector Carrasquilla in the third to claim the WBA 122-pound crown.




4. Sung-Kil Moon (1987-1993): Power-punching two-division champion won the WBA Bantamweight title in only his 7th fight over unbeaten and tough Thai Kaokor Galaxy. Made two defenses before losing title back to Galaxy. Dropped to 115 pounds and beat undefeated power-hitter Nana Konadu for the WBC 115-pound crown. Moon went on to make 8 defenses, including another win over Konadu and several other former or future champions before losing his title in 1993. Of his 22 bouts, 15 were world title fights.



3. Ki-Soo Kim (1961-1969): Talented southpaw junior middleweight cleaned up on the Asian scene, before setting his sights on world title honors. His 1966 win over 65-0 Nino Benvenuti was a huge upset at the time, earning Kim the WBA and WBC 154-pound titles. Among his defenses were wins over top Americans Stan Harrington and Freddie Little. His only 2 losses came in his final 3 fights.




2. Myung-Woo Yuh (1982-1993): “Sonagi” won his first 36 fights, which included 18 world title-fight victories. Yuh defeated a good champion in stringbean Mexican Joey Olivo in 1985, before embarking on a lengthy title reign. He added power to his incredible speed as he progressed. In 1990, Yuh faced his toughest challenger in 4-division champion and unbeaten Leo Gamez, winning a unanimous decision. He would repeat the win in his next defense. Yuh lost his title to talented Japanese Hiroki Ioka in 1991 by split decision, waiting a year to get a rematch, which he won by majority decision. Made one more defense before retiring as champion in 1993.



1. Jung-Koo Chang (1980-1991): “The Korean Hawk” was the finest fighter to come out of South Korea and his nation’s first fighter to be inducted into the IBHOF. Lost a split decision to Panamanian great Hilario Zapata, before returning the favor and claiming the WBA 108-pound crown in 1983 with a 3rd-round knockout. Chang defended that crown 15 times. Of his 16 title-fight wins, 8 came against fighters who would go on to win world titles. Retired as reigning champion with one avenged loss, before financial problems brought him back, where he lost 3 of 4.




Top 5 Best South Korean Boxers - ProBoxing-Fans.com

Wonder if Brandun Lee counts, at least now he is finally stepping up his competition, but I doubt he bring boxing's popularity back to Korea.

Brandun lee is a very good fighter but he's hit his ceiling with his dad he needs a new trainer asap. Also Lee is half Korean half Mexican.

[Malvado]

Brandun lee is a very good fighter but he's hit his ceiling with his dad he needs a new trainer asap. Also Lee is half Korean half Mexican.

Yeah though appearance wise he looks more like his father. How can I describe his fighting style, he kind of reminds me of Rayo Valenzuela but with a higher work rate. He doesn't need to cut out his father, just integrate another trainer to tighten his defensive skills and work on his timing.

[mlac]

good question, i think the ones that would of been decent boxers went into MMA, there is actually lots of boxing shows in Korea but they are all small hall shows with minimal attendance.

[deathofaclown]

My girlfriend is Korean and she said the popularity dropped off a lot after Deuk Koo Kim died fighting Mancini

The Korean public really stopped liking boxing after that and a lot of parents didn't want their children doing it.

[TheIronMike]

I am not really well informed about the Korean boxing scene. The top 5 figthers are:

5. Soo-Hwan Hong (1969-1980): In 1974, Hong traveled to South Africa and unseated WBA Bantamweight Champion Arnold Taylor by dominant 15-round decision. Unfortunately for him, his reign ran headlong into the greatest bantamweight era of all time, and Hong soon found himself on the wrong side of two knockouts at the hands of Alfonso Zamora. He was still able to dominate a demanding Asian scene during this time. In 1977, he rose from 4 second-round knockdowns to smash incredible 17-year old Hector Carrasquilla in the third to claim the WBA 122-pound crown.




4. Sung-Kil Moon (1987-1993): Power-punching two-division champion won the WBA Bantamweight title in only his 7th fight over unbeaten and tough Thai Kaokor Galaxy. Made two defenses before losing title back to Galaxy. Dropped to 115 pounds and beat undefeated power-hitter Nana Konadu for the WBC 115-pound crown. Moon went on to make 8 defenses, including another win over Konadu and several other former or future champions before losing his title in 1993. Of his 22 bouts, 15 were world title fights.



3. Ki-Soo Kim (1961-1969): Talented southpaw junior middleweight cleaned up on the Asian scene, before setting his sights on world title honors. His 1966 win over 65-0 Nino Benvenuti was a huge upset at the time, earning Kim the WBA and WBC 154-pound titles. Among his defenses were wins over top Americans Stan Harrington and Freddie Little. His only 2 losses came in his final 3 fights.




2. Myung-Woo Yuh (1982-1993): “Sonagi” won his first 36 fights, which included 18 world title-fight victories. Yuh defeated a good champion in stringbean Mexican Joey Olivo in 1985, before embarking on a lengthy title reign. He added power to his incredible speed as he progressed. In 1990, Yuh faced his toughest challenger in 4-division champion and unbeaten Leo Gamez, winning a unanimous decision. He would repeat the win in his next defense. Yuh lost his title to talented Japanese Hiroki Ioka in 1991 by split decision, waiting a year to get a rematch, which he won by majority decision. Made one more defense before retiring as champion in 1993.



1. Jung-Koo Chang (1980-1991): “The Korean Hawk” was the finest fighter to come out of South Korea and his nation’s first fighter to be inducted into the IBHOF. Lost a split decision to Panamanian great Hilario Zapata, before returning the favor and claiming the WBA 108-pound crown in 1983 with a 3rd-round knockout. Chang defended that crown 15 times. Of his 16 title-fight wins, 8 came against fighters who would go on to win world titles. Retired as reigning champion with one avenged loss, before financial problems brought him back, where he lost 3 of 4.




Top 5 Best South Korean Boxers - ProBoxing-Fans.com

Wonder if Brandun Lee counts, at least now he is finally stepping up his competition, but I doubt he bring boxing's popularity back to Korea.

Never even knew about #5-3....gonna check them out

[HeadShots]

Koreans became wealthy and their birth rates plummetted.


Imagine having one son and let him go get brain damage in boxing. ya right

[hugh grant]

Isnt bivol half korean? I remember watching Yung kil chun against Honeyghan. Hes about the last korean i know about.

[The D3vil]

Isnt bivol half korean? I remember watching Yung kil chun against Honeyghan. Hes about the last korean i know about.

GGG's actually half Korean & half Russian & from Kazakhstan, so go figure. :shrug: