Boxer Bae loses fight for life

By Yoon Chul

Staff reporter

Boxer Bae Ki-suk passed away, Wednesday, after falling unconscious following his match, Saturday. Bae, who was defeated by a TKO in a match with Jung Jin-ki in the super flyweight class, was transferred to the hospital and had surgery after suffering stroke-like symptoms.

But the 23-year-old boxer died at 4 a.m. despite medical efforts over the past four days.

The tragedy was the first in two years and six months, following former champion Choi Yo-sam’s death, leaving the field of boxing caught in a quandary.

Bae debuted in the ring in 2003 and had a 7-7 career record with 5 Kos. In April, 2009 he failed to win the Korean flyweight belt and he moved up a weight class to challenge again, only to be knocked out once more.

“We feel very sorry about this accident,” an official of the Korea Boxing Committee said. “We have a meeting today and will do our best to cope with the situation,” added the official.