Choi Yo-sam

This is a Korean name; the family name is Choi.
Choi Yo-sam
Statistics
Rated at Light flyweight
Nationality South Korea South Korean
Born March 1, 1972
Jeongeup, Jeollabukdo, South Korea
Died January 3, 2008(2008-01-03) (aged 35)
Seoul
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 37
Wins 32
Wins by KO 19
Losses 5
Draws 0
No contests 0
Choi Yo-sam
Hangul 최요삼
Hanja 崔堯森
Revised Romanization Choe Yo-sam
McCune–Reischauer Ch'oe Yo-sam
Birth name
Hanja 崔堯三

Choi Yo-sam (Hangul: 최요삼; March 1, 1972 – January 3, 2008) was a Korean world boxing champion. He was born in Jeongeup, Jeollabukdo, South Korea.

Pro career

Choi turned pro in 1993 and won the WBC light flyweight title in 1999 with a decision win over Saman Sorjaturong. He successfully defended the title 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. 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.[1]

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.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Choi Yo-sam officially declared dead". Sports Illustrated. 2008-01-03. Archived from the original on 2008-01-06. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  2. ↑ "South Korean boxer Choi Yo Sam declared dead". nytimes.com. Retrieved 2015-07-19.
Preceded by
Saman Sorjaturong		 WBC Light Flyweight Champion
October 17, 1999 – July 6, 2002 		Succeeded by
Jorge Arce
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