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Yo Sam Choi

Choi Yo-sam
Choi Yo-sam.jpg
Statistics
Weight(s) Light flyweight
Nationality South Korea South Korean
Born March 1, 1972
Jeongeup, Jeollabukdo, South Korea(대한민국 전라북도 정읍시)
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 (Hangul최요삼; March 1, 1972 – January 3, 2008) was a Korean world boxing champion. He was born in Jeongeup, Jeollabukdo, South Korea.

Choi turned pro in 1993 and won the Lineal and WBC light flyweight titles in 1999 with a decision win over Saman Sorjaturong. 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.

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.

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.


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Wikipedia

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