BoztheMadman Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 This man holds the distinction of being the first world champion in boxing from Korean peninsula. Born in the north but raised in the south, Kim won the world light middleweight title in 1966, against none else than Nino Benvenuti, then considered one of the best boxers in the world. He was known as physically very strong and tough fighter who used his powerful left hook to the body to paralyze his opponents, as well as speed and elusiveness to confuse them. He was never stopped in 37 professional fights and only lost twice, to the world class Sandro Mazzinghi and Hisao Minami of Japan, in close fights. He stood 5'7 1/2 and scored 17 ko's in 33 wins. Born in Pukchong, North Korea, 17 September 1939, at some point Kim moved to the South. As whole Korea was at the time under occupation by Japan, it was possible. He graduated from Kyung Hee University with a degree in physical education. He competed at the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, winning gold as a welterweight. He then took part in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, where he first defeated Henry Perry on points, before losing on points to Nino Benvenuti, the eventual gold winner. He turned professional in October 1961 and in his very first fight won the South Korean middleweight title on points against Sae Chul Kang. He defended it against the same man and again won on points after 10 rounds. In January 1964 he knocked out the Japanese-based American George Carter in 6. Carter would later defeat Koichi Wajima on points. On 10 January next year, he won the Oriental middleweight title by another knockout in 6 against Japanese Fumio Kaizu. He defended it twice, first on points against Kaizu and then by KO10 against Hideaki Teada. He then challenged his Olympic rival Benvenuti, who held the undisputed world light middleweight title. The fight took place in Kim's own country, 25 June 1966, at Changchung Gymnasium in Seoul. Kim was naturally a massive underdog but he surprised everyone by throwing the slick Benvenuti off his game by using his speed and elusiveness, as well as constant attack to the body and head. The fight was definitely close but in the end, two of the judges gave the home fighter the victory while the third, an Italian, gave it to Benvenuti. Benvenuti later accused the Korean officials of sabotaging the ring, after the ropes collapsed in the 13th round of the fight. South Korean president was in attendance to see the first Korean fighter become a professional world champion. There would be no rematch because Benvenuti could not make the 154 limit anymore and moved up to middleweight division. Instead, Kim made his first title defense against American Stan Harrington, 17 December of that year. He decisively won by a unanimous decision. He still kept holding his Oriental (OPBF) middleweight title and defended it by KO6 against Nakao Sasazaki next year, before making his second world title defense against Freddie Little, a little-known but very good fighter from USA. The fight was held at Dongdaemun baseball stadium, 3 October 1967, and Kim found himself on the canvas in round 11 and was staggered in the previous round, but he won enough rounds to get a split decision, despite it being somewhat controversial. He was known for fading late, as he had done against Benvenuti after round 10. The title was still his anyway. The American judge had Little winning by a shutout. He again defended the Oriental title by UD12 against Manfredo Alipala of the Phillippines. And then, for the first time, he had to go outside his country to defend his title for the third time, against Sandro Mazzinghi, who was fighting at home in Milan, Italy. The fight was held at the San Siro stadium, 26 May 1968. It was a close and hard fight, but this time Kim didn't have the judges on his size and after 15 rounds were completed, only the Korean judge had him ahead but the other two did not and so he had to say farewell to being a world champion after almost 2 years. Things didn't get any better in his next fight, when he faced the Japanese Hisao Minami in another defense of his Oriental mw title, his fifth. This fight was in Osaka, Japan and Kim lost this title as well by a majority decision on 20 November. He avenged the loss and regained the title in his next fight, 1 March 1969, at home in Seoul, winning by UD. This turned out to be his last fight and Kim retired before his 30th birthday, with a record of 33-2-2. He worked as a boxing trainer after retirement and later became a successful businessman. Ki-Soo Kim died of liver cancer on 10 June 1997, aged 57. He was succeeded by his wife, two sons and two daughters. There is very little info on him and few today mention him, but he defeated a great fighter in Benvenuti and deserves to be remembered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
selij Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 Re: Forgotten Champions: Ki-Soo Kim Good one, mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoztheMadman Posted September 29, 2018 Author Share Posted September 29, 2018 Re: Forgotten Champions: Ki-Soo Kim Good one, mate Thanks matey. :thumb: :tea: Btw, is your inbox full? I sent you a PM the other day to congratulate you on Derby winning, you didn't reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
selij Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Re: Forgotten Champions: Ki-Soo Kim Btw, is your inbox full? More than likely.........sorry pal. It will have to be resent (if its important?) - wont be in a 'queue' Yes we were very lucky not to have got cheated out of it by a very biased and obviously paid-off referee (nothing new there for Man Utd and the Fergie-time phenomenon). Doesnt help when referees get entertained for days before, leading up to the match in the 5*+ Lowrie Hotel with club 'giftbags' for themselves and partners. The ref ignored a deliberate handball right in front of him that led to a shot by Man Utd hitting the post - could have easily gone in; and then when we were 1-2 up he allowed Fellaini to barge one of our players into the net with an elbow in the back to score a header on 90+4 and equalise after having added 6 minutes injury time! I never saw either trainer come on in the second half. Justice was served though when we scored 8 penalties in a row. Something the cheats hadnt bargained for. We now have the pleasure of Chelski in the next round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoztheMadman Posted October 1, 2018 Author Share Posted October 1, 2018 Re: Forgotten Champions: Ki-Soo Kim More than likely.........sorry pal. It will have to be resent (if its important?) - wont be in a 'queue' Yes we were very lucky not to have got cheated out of it by a very biased and obviously paid-off referee (nothing new there for Man Utd and the Fergie-time phenomenon). Doesnt help when referees get entertained for days before, leading up to the match in the 5*+ Lowrie Hotel with club 'giftbags' for themselves and partners. The ref ignored a deliberate handball right in front of him that led to a shot by Man Utd hitting the post - could have easily gone in; and then when we were 1-2 up he allowed Fellaini to barge one of our players into the net with an elbow in the back to score a header on 90+4 and equalise after having added 6 minutes injury time! I never saw either trainer come on in the second half. Justice was served though when we scored 8 penalties in a row. Something the cheats hadnt bargained for. We now have the pleasure of Chelski in the next round. Fellaini is a twat, lol. Chelski. :mlol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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