Top 10 Facts About Boxer Yo-Sam Choi

Top 10 Facts About Boxer Yo-Sam Choi

South Korea boasts a rich boxing history with fighters possessing exceptional skills emerging from the Asian country. South Korean boxers have been impactful in the boxing world leaving an indelible mark on the sport both locally and internationally. Yuh Myung-Woo, Kim Ki-Su and Kim Hyun-Soo are just a few of the boxers who have left their mark on the sport but one name stands out; Choi Yo-sam.

Choi Yo-sam is one of the most decorated South-Korean boxers whose in-ring activities left masses marvelling at what boxers could achieve. Managing to overcome various challenges along the way, he carved out the right path for him to the top of the boxing world winning a couple of bouts and establishing himself as a force to reckon with in the boxing roster. 

Being one of the most fearsome boxers, his raw power and incredible speed overpower opponents to end fights with devastating knockouts. Known for his ability to intimidate his opponents, his bouts could be predicted early on as his performance was second to none at his peak. As Choi Yo-Sam is celebrated today, there is a lot about him that you might not know. Let us find out the top 10 facts about the Korean world boxing champion

1. Choi Yo-sam was born in Jeongeup, Jeollabukdo, South Korea

Choi Yo-sam was a South Korean professional boxer who was born on March 1, 1972. The former Korean world boxing champion was born in Jeongeup, Jeollabukdo, South Korea.

2. Choi made his professional debut in 1993

South Korean boxer Choi started his professional career in 1993 and advanced fast through the ranks, eventually taking both the Lineal and WBC light flyweight titles in 1999. Saman Sorjaturong was defeated by him in a decision, that enabled Choi to accomplish this achievement. As a result of three consecutive title defences, Choi went on to establish himself as a champion. However, in 2002, he suffered a devastating loss to Jorge Arce, who managed to secure a technical knockout in the 6th round. Despite this setback, Choi continued to box, going on to eye even bigger belts.

3. He broke his jaw in his match against Saman Sorjaturong

He broke his jaw in his match against Saman Sorjaturong. Choi’s world title win in the 1999 decision win against Saman Sorjaturong saw him leave the match with a broken jaw. Sorjaturong’s opportunity for redemption in a rematch slated for December 2000 never came to fruition even though the gym and event were already prepared for it. The event broadcasters bowed and the fight promoters were not vocal in the matter which further made the fight never see the light of day.

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4. Choi lost the WBA flyweight title match against Lorenzo Parra

Choi lost a decision to Beibis Mendoza for the interim WBA light flyweight title in 2003 a few months after losing the Lineal and WBC light flyweight belts to Jorge Arce via a technical knockout in the sixth round in 2002. He upped his weight in 2004 to challenge Lorenzo Parra for the WBA flyweight championship, but he was defeated on points.

5. He successfully defended the WBO Intercontinental flyweight before dying

Choi put up one of the strongest resiliencies to defend the WBO Intercontinental flyweight title on December 25, 2007, in a fight that would ultimately result in his demise. This happened during the hotly contested match against Heri Amol, which he ultimately won by unanimous decision.

With five seconds left in the 12th round, Choi was knocked out, but he managed to recover to win the fight (using the fighter saved by bell rule). After the battle, he passed out while still in the ring. He was taken to the Soonchunhyang University Hospital right away for emergency brain surgery, but he passed away there.

6. Choi was pronounced dead on January 3, 2008

Following the altercation, Choi Yo-sam was taken to the Soonchunhyang University Hospital to have immediate brain surgery. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, Choi was declared brain-dead on January 2, 2008. After being taken off a ventilator on January 3, 2008, he passed away. 

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7. He was commemorated by LeeSSang dedicating a song to him

In their fifth album, CHAMPION, LeeSSang created a song specifically for him. Gil Seong-joon (“Gil”) and Kang Hee-gun (“Gary” or “Garie”) were members of the South Korean hip-hop group known as LeeSSang. The duo, which was founded in 2002, has so far put out eight albums: two self-titled recordings in 2002 and 2003; Library of Soul in 2005; Black Sun in 2007; Baekajeolhyeon in 2009; Hexagonal in late 2009; Asura Balbalta in 2011; and Unplugged in 2012.

Their last three record-setting albums helped them break into the mainstream Korean music scene. Since Choi was also friends with the LeeSSang duo, their fifth album, CHAMPION, played a significant role in paying tribute to him. 

8. His organs were donated to six patients with his family’s approval 

Only 4% of Koreans, according to a report from 2021, wish to donate their organs, making Choi’s family donation acts all the more noteworthy in light of the boxer’s success. Choi’s bone and cartilage were given to a tissue bank, while his heart, liver, both kidneys and corneas were given to six people. To avoid a commercial black market, beneficiaries had to remain anonymous according to requirements per Korean law.

9. His family believe that he could have survived the incident

Choi’s family expressed their ire at the ambulance for transporting the patient to a far-off hospital connected to the Korea Boxing Commission rather than a nearby general hospital. Choi’s mother feels that he might have survived if he had sought medical attention sooner. According to South Korean media, numerous automobiles were parked in front of the ambulance illegally, which is a typical occurrence in Korea, where traffic ranks among the most severe in the whole world.

10. Choi was awarded a medal from the South Korean Government 

As seen by Choi Yo-sam’s organs getting donated, this prompted the South Korean government which in turn awarded Choi with a medal. Choi passed on having fought in a total of 37 fights, winning 32 with 19 coming by way of Knockout and only 5 losses. 

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