Choi Yo-sam

By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter

World Boxing Organization intercontinental champion Choi Yo-sam was officially declared dead following his removal from a life-support machine around midnight Wednesday. Prior to this, doctors had removed six of his organs for donation, which was in accordance with his wishes.

Choi's death came after eight days in an injury-induced coma and following him being certified brain dead Wednesday afternoon.

He had been hospitalized after collapsing following a successful defense of his title. Choi's heart, kidneys, liver and corneas were transplanted to patients on the Korean Network for Organ Sharing (KONOS) patient list.

The 34-year-old South Korean took a number of hard blows to the head during the action-packed fight against Indonesia's Heri Amol on Christmas day, and was floored after taking a hard right to the jaw in the last few seconds of the 12th and final round.

Choi got back on his feat and managed to finish the bout, but collapsed after returning to his corner. He underwent brain surgery for a cerebral hemorrhage at the Soonchunhyang University Hospital, but failed to regain consciousness.

Choi's family had him moved to the Asan Medical Center Monday in a desperate attempt to save him. However, doctors insisted that keeping Choi alive any longer would risk damaging his organs, and Choi's family allowed the hospital to formerly pronounce him brain dead.

Choi's brightest moment as a boxer came in October, 1999, when he beat Thailand's Saman Sorjaturong to take the World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight champion title.

However, Choi lost the championship belt to Mexico's Jorge Arce in a knockout loss in July of 2002 and also lost his bid for the World Boxing Association (WBA) flyweight title against Venezuela's Lorenzo Parra in September of 2004.

Choi seemed to be on course to put his career back on track, winning the intercontinental title in September against Thailand's Terdkiat Jandaeng.

Choi's tragic death inevitably brings back the memories of the 1982 title bout in Las Vegas between American lightweight champion Ray Mancini and South Korean challenger Kim Duk-koo.

Kim slipped into a coma and died from injuries sustained during the match, which led to reforms in boxing, including the end of 15-round bouts and health checks before and after fights.

thkim@koreatimes.co.kr