By Yoon Chul
Staff reporter
Another tragedy has befallen Korean professional boxing.
Bae Ki-suk, who fought for the super flyweight title against Jung Jun-ki on Saturday, had five hours of brain surgery after a TKO defeat, but remains unconscious.
After the operation, his body temperature, blood pressure and pulse were almost back to normal.
“We will keep watching him but he it is possible he could be brain dead. The likelihood of recovery is very low,” a hospital official said.
The accident comes in the wake of a similar case two-and-a-half years ago.
On Christmas Day in 2007, Choi Yo-sam collapsed and died in January, 2008 after a match against Heri Armol.
“After the clash, Bae lost consciousness and we sent him to hospital,” Korea Boxing Commission (KBC) Commissioner Kim Jae-bong said.
“The surgery started at 6:00 p.m. and lasted for five fours but he is still unconscious,” Kim added.
The boxing commission will meet to address the issue.
But critics say the match should have not been sanctioned by the KBC.
Bae, who had a 7-7 record with 5 KOs, was beaten by a knockout in 2009 and also lost in the fourth round, again by knockout in October.
He even moved up a weight class for the fight, with the KBC having approved the 10-round Korean title match.