Choi Yo-sam
Choi Yo-sam (Korean: 최요삼; October 16, 1973 – January 3, 2008) was a Korean world boxing champion. He was born in Jeongeup, Jeollabukdo, South Korea.
| Choi Yo-sam | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Light flyweight |
| Nationality |  South Korean |
| Born | October 16, 1973 Jeongeup, Jeollabukdo, South Korea |
| Died | January 3, 2008 (aged 34) Seoul, South Korea |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 37 |
| Wins | 32 |
| Wins by KO | 19 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Choi Yo-sam | |
| Hangul | |
|---|---|
| Revised Romanization | Choe Yo-sam |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ch'oe Yo-sam |
Pro career
Choi turned pro in 1993 and won the Lineal and WBC light flyweight titles in 1999 with a decision win over Saman Sorjaturong.[1] He successfully defended the titles three times before losing it to Jorge Arce by a 6th round technical knockout in 2002. In 2003, he lost a decision to Beibis Mendoza for the interim WBA light flyweight title. In 2004, he moved up in weight to take on Lorenzo Parra for the WBA flyweight title and lost a decision.
Death
On December 25, 2007, he successfully defended the WBO Intercontinental flyweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Heri Amol. In the 12th round, Choi was dropped with five seconds remaining, but beat the count and went on to win the fight (via the fighter saved by bell rule). He collapsed while still in the ring after the bout and was rushed to the Soonchunhyang University Hospital immediately after the fight in order to undergo emergency brain surgery. Choi was pronounced brain-dead on January 2, 2008, and died on January 3, 2008, when he was removed from a ventilator. LeeSSang made a song dedicated to him in their 5th album called CHAMPION.[2]
His organs were donated to six patients with approval from his family. This action led the South Korean Government to award Choi with a medal.[3]
References
- "Choi Yo-sam - Lineal Jr. Flyweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
- "Choi Yo-sam officially declared dead". Sports Illustrated. 2008-01-03. Archived from the original on 2008-01-06. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
- "South Korean boxer Choi Yo Sam declared dead". The New York Times. 3 January 2008. Retrieved 2015-07-19.
External links
- Boxing record for Choi Yo-sam from BoxRec (registration required)
- Looking at Yo Sam Choi
- Choi Yo-sam - CBZ Profile