Deuk-Koo Kim

[Bill Paxtom]

Deuk-Koo Kim



Nickname ..... 'Gidae' ..... {'Hope'}

A scrappy and tough kid from South Korea. A constant moving fighter, who gave his
all {100%} in every bout.

The 5' 6" southpaw was a 'bundle-of-energy', and put forth with a steady-offense in
a non-stop effort that the fans enjoyed

Deuk-Koo was a good kid, who was always happy and cordial.

Deuk-Koo Kim started off in his Professional Career {December 7, 1978} as the still
teenage South Korean was {Age; 19 years, 11 months}.

In only his 10th-bout {December 6, 1980} Deuk-Koo won the South Korean Lightweight
Championship by defeating the undefeated Pil-Koo Lee by a {Tech. Dec. 4}

By the end of 1981, Deuk-Koo had a record of 12-1-1 {6 KO's}.

Included, was an impressive win {KO 4} over highly-touted Filipino - Flash Romeo on
September 9, 1981.

[Bill Paxtom]

Deuk-Koo Kim

On February 28, 1982 at the Indoor Gymnasium ~ Cheongju, South Korea.

Deuk-Koo {Age; 23 years, 1 month} and with a record of 12-1-1 {6 KO's} was a decided
underdog at {4-1} for this upcoming OPBF Lightweight Championship bout.

He was taking on countryman - Kwang-Min Kim {OPBF Lightweight Champion} for the
OPBF Championship.

Kwang-Min was a tough and durable 'mighty-might' with a record of 21-3-1 {6 KO's}, and
had been the OPBF Lightweight Champion since April 10, 1981.

Kwang-Min {Age; 26 years, 3 months} was ranked #9 WBA and #10 WBC at Lightweight,
and a win here and Kwang-Min was in line for a World Title bout in the Spring of 1982.

Kwang-Min was 'no slouch', as his only losses were a {L Split Dec 15} to WBA Light-Welterweight
Champion - Antonio Cervantes on August 25, 1979 for the WBA Championship, and '2' close
10-Round Decision losses to former WBC Light-Welterweight Champion and current #2 WBC
Light-Welterweight - Sang-Hyun Kim on {September 25, 1980 and January 23, 1981}.

[Beanflicker]

Everyone should check out the Mancini doc "The Good Son" if they haven't already. Goes a lot farther into Kim, interviews his widow and son, and actually shows Kim's son meeting Mancini, something he always wanted to do. It was very good!

[Bill Paxtom]

February 28, 1982

Indoor Gymnasium ~ Cheongju, South Korea

Attendance ...... { 5760 }

OPBF Lightweight Championship

Kwang-Min Kim ~ 21-3-1 {6 KO's} ~ 5' 7" ~ 135 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 3 months}
OPBF Lightweight Champion ~ #9 WBA ~ #10 WBC

vs.

Deuk-Koo Kim ~ 12-1-1 {6 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 134 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 1 month}
South Korean Lightweight Champion ~ {NR} WBA ~ {NR} WBC
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Deuk-Koo Kim Scores Major Upset, Defeats Kwang-Min Kim To Capture The OPBF Title ~

In one of the 'wildest' OPBF Lightweight Championship bouts ever seen, Deuk-Koo Kim railed over the
last 3-Rounds to capture the OPBF Title by defeating Champion - Kwang-Min Kim over a brutal 12-Rounds.

The Champion - Kwang-Min Kim was heavily favored at {4-1} over the Challenger - Deuk-Koo Kim, and
was expected to have an easy ride in his 4th-Title Defense.

Things went well for the Champion over the first 3-Rounds, as he used a swarming attack to back up
Deuk-Koo into the Ropes, where he let go with '3-Punch' combinations to the body.

The Challenger - Deuk-Koo started to come alive in Rounds 4 and 5 as he slammed the Champion with
hard left-hooks to the head.

In one of the best Rounds ever, Round 6 saw each fighter staggered 'twice', but rally back with an
explosive attack in an 'even'; and action-packed session.

The Challenger opened up Round 6, by hammering Kwang-Min with left-hand volleys that had him
reeling and in bad shape by the {0:50 Mark}. Then Deuk-Koo staggered the Champion after tagging him
with a double-right hook, and straight left-hand to the jaw at the {1:00 Mark}.

But Kwang-Min grabbed-and-held, then made a charge at the {1:30 Mark}, and pounded Deuk-Koo
across the Ring and into a Corner. Kwang-Min then staggered the feisty Challenger with a short right-hook
to the chin at the {1:40 Mark}.

Justr as it looked as of the Chmapion might drop Deuk-Koo, he was caught by a big left-hand counter at the
{1:55 Mark} and wobbled backwards to Center-Ring.

Deuk-Koo then came charging with several hard volleys at the {2:00 Mark} that had Kwang-Min in bad shape.

The Champion showed his durability, and took every punch that was thrown at him, as Deuk-Koo rained punches
on him for 25-Seconds until the {2:30 Mark}.

Then with an explosion, Kwang-Min landed a viscous 'right-left-right' combination to the jaw at the {2:44 Mark},
and Deuk-Koo went backwards as his legs buckled.

Kwang-Min came charging forward and threw an assortment of punches as a 'dazed' Deuk-Koo reeled backwards
into the Ropes, only to be saved by the Bell.

In Rounds 7 and 8, Kwang-Min was in command, as Deuk-Koo was still dazed from the battering he recived at
the end of Round 6.

But in Round 9, it was the Challenger - Deuk-Koo started to make his comeback, as the Champion was starting
to slow a bit and was not punching with authority anymore.

In Round 10, Deuk-Koo took over, and slammed in his heavy left-hands onto Kwang-Min who was now backing
up to the Ropes and looking to defend.

During the last 2-Rounds {11th and 12th}, Deuk-Koo was relentless as he battered an exhausted Champion with
'right-left' punches to both the head and body.

[U][/ScorecardsU]
* 115-114 {6-5-1 in Rounds} > Deuj-Koo Kim
* 115-113 {7-5-0 in Rounds} > Deuk-Koo Kim
* 116-114 {6-4-2 in Rounds{ > Deuk-Koo Kim

Winner by Unanimous Decision > Deuk-Koo Kim

[Bill Paxtom]

~ World Lightweight Ratings before Deuk-Koo Kim won the OPBF Lightweight Title on February 28, 1982 ~

~ WBA ~ ....................... ~ WBC ~

*** Artuto Frias ................. *** Alexis Arguello
#1 . Ernesto Espana .......... #1 . Andy Ganigan
#2 . Andy Ganigan ............ #2 . Howard Davis
#3 . Hilmer Kenty .............. #3 . Hilmer Kenty
#4 . Rodolfo Gonzalez ....... #4 . Gonzallo Montellano
#5 . Claude Noel ............... #5 . Ray Mancini
#6 . Jerome Artis .............. #6 . James Busceme
#7 . Curtis Harris .............. #7 . Sean O'Grady
#8 . Gonzallo Montellano ... #8 . Jose Luis Ramirez
#9 . Kwang-Min Kim ......... #9 . Roberto Elizondo
#10. Ray Mancini ............. #10. Kwang-Min Kim


~ March 1982 ~

Deuk-Koo Kim {OPBF Lightweight Champion}

[Bill Paxtom]

April 4, 1982

Munhwa Gym ~ Seoul, South Korea

Attendance .... { 6000 }

OPNF Lightweight Championship

* Deuk-Koo Kim ~ 13-1-1 {6 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 134 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 3 months}
vs.
* Suradej Kiongpjajom ~ 22-0-0 {22 KO's} ~ 5' 7" ~ 135 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 8 months}

Just 5-Weeks after defeating Kwang-Min Kim in a brutal fight to capture the OPBF Title,
Deuk-Koo Kim will making his 1st=Title Defense.

Suradej Kionphajom is a 'fast-starting' and hard-hitting 'KO Artist' from Thailand that they
call 'King Kong'.

Suradej has won all '22' of his bouts by Knockout, and has scored '13' 1st-Round Knockouts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Deuk-Koo Kim Bombs Out Thai Challenger In 1st Round ~

OPBF Lightweight Champion - Deuk-Koo Kim retained his Title by blasting out 'Thai KO Artist'
Suradej Kionphajom at 2:54 of the 1st-Round.

The South Korean - Deuk-Koo was making the 1st-Title Defense of OPBF Championship that he
he won only 5-Weeks earlier.

In an 'explosive' Opening Round, both fighters met at Center-Ring and unleashed a barrage of punches
on each other, as both Asian Lightweights were 'rocked' during the first Minute.

Deuk-Koo struck first, when he caught the Thai Challenger with a 'right-hook' to the chin at the {0:40 Mark},
sending Suradej to one-knee. The Challenger was up immediately, and fought on without a count.

Moments later, Suradej caught the Champion with a booming right-hand to the chin that 'spun' Deuk-Koo
sideways.

The Thai Challenger moved in to follow up, but he was met by a ferocious counter attack by Deuk-Koo.

Steadily, the Champion bombarded the visiting Thai fighter with '2-Punch' attacks to the body, and by
the {2:30 Mark} Suradej looked to be folding up.

Deuk-Koo kept slamming in hard punches to the body, and at the {2:43 Mark} the Champion dropped
Surajej with a 'crushing' left-hook to the ribs.

The Thai fighter then dropped to both knee's on the canvas, and was writhing in pain as he was counted out
by Referee - Bil-Chuk Kim at {2:54} of the 1st-Round.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ May 1982 ~

~ Lightweight Happenings ~

May 8, 1982
WBA Lightweight Championship
* Arturo Frias vs. Ray Mancini

May 22, 1982
WBC Lightweight Championship
* Alexis Arguello vs. Andy Ganigan

May 30, 1982
OPBF Lightweight Championship
* Deuk-Koo Kim vs. Flash Villamer


__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________

May 30, 1982

Munhwa Gymnasim ~ Seoul, Korea

Attendance.... { 5700 }

* Deuk-Koo Kim ~ 14-1-1 {7 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 134 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 4 months}
vs.
* Flash Villamer ~ 25-2-0 {9 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 133 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 7 months}

Deuk-Koo Kim will be making the 2nd-Title Defense of his OPBF Crown since winning the
Championship only 3-Months earlier.

Flash Villamer is a 'fast-handed' boxer from The Philippines. Though not a big puncher, 'Flash'
can hit you with 'lightning' quick combinations at a near non-stop rate.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Deuk-Koo Kim Retains OPBF Lightweight Title By Decision ~

South Korean - Deuk-Koo Kim pounded out a convincing 12-Round Decision over Filipino speedster
Flash Villamer to retain his OPBF Lightweight Championship.

Deuk-Koo using a relentless attack from his southpaw stance, scored with repeated left-hands into
the body and head of the fast-moving Filipino.

The South Korean won 6 of the first 7 Rounds, by scoring with heavy-punches on the always moving
Filipino Challenger.

With the bout well in hand, Deuk-Koo switched to a box-and-move tactic during Round 8, and stayed
on the outside.

In Rounds 9 and 10, a desperate Villamer switched tactics and went to an aggressive slugging style
as he abandoned his box-and-move style. The Filipino won both Rounds with his now aggressive
attack.

But Deuk-Koo came back hard in Round 11, and landed several short-combinations on the inside to stall
the charge of Villamer, and secured the bout by rocking the Filipino badly at the end of the Round
with a 'jarring' right-hook and straight left to the jaw of the fading Filipino.

Both fighters went to a stall, box and move style in Round 12, as both Asians were visibly tired from the
heated action during the previous 11 Rounds.

Scorecards
* 118-113 = {7-2-3 in Rounds} > Deuk-Koo Kim .. {South Korean Official}
* 117-112 = {8-3-1 in Rounds} > Deuk-Koo Kim .. {South Korean Official}
* 116-115 = {5-4-3 in Rounds} > Deuk-Koo Kim ... {Philippine Official}

[Bill Paxtom]

June 27, 1982

Munhwa Gym ~ Seoul, Korea

Attendance ...... { 5100 }

* Deuk-Koo Kim ~ 15-1-1 {7 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 136 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 6 months}
vs.
* Nick Caputol ~ 30-7-2 {11 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 134 lbs. ~ {Age; 25 years, 2 months}

Deuk-Koo Kim will be taking a 'non-title' bout and is aiming fir a World Title bout for
the fall.

Nick Caputol is a good boxing but light-hitting 'pesky' fighter from The Philippines. Caputol is a
7-year Professional, and has been in with some good Asian fighters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Dek-Koo Kim Scores Easy 10-Round Decision In Non-Title Bout ~


23 year-old OPBF Lightweight Champion - Deuk-Koo Kim of South Korea scored an easy
and 'workman-like' 10-Round Decision over pesky boxer Nick Caputol of The Philippines.

The Lightweight bout was fought on 'even terms' over the first 4-Rounds, before Deuk-Koo
opened up with some hard-combinations late in Round 5.

Deuk-Koo used an assortment of right-hooks, straight left-hands and fast '3-Punch' combinations
to rattle the Filipino during Round 6.

Deuk-Koo secured the win in Round 7, when he floored Caputol with a 'sizzling' right-hook to the
chin and a follow-up short left-hand to the upper-body.

The South Korean pummeled the Filipino in Rounds 7 and 8 with hard-assaults, before easing
up over the last 2-Rounds.

Scorecards
* 98-92 = {8-2-0 in Rounds}
* 98-93 = {7-2-1 in Rounds}
* 98-93 = {7-2-1 in Rounds}

[Bill Paxtom]

July 18, 1982

Munhwa Gymnasim ~ Seoul, Kora

Attenandance .... { 5670 }

OPBF Lightweight Championship

* Deuk-Koo Kim ~ 16-1-1 {7 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 135 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 6 months}
vs.
* Tadao Ishido ~ 17-5-0 {15 KO's} ~ 5' 5" ~ 134 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 10 months}

Deuk-Koo Kim will be making the 3rd Defense of his OPGF Title.

Deuk-Koo is ranked as the #5 WBA Lightweight, and hopes a win here will push him
'1-Step' closer to a World Title fight by the end of 1982.

Tado Ishido of Japan is a short but hard-punching bomber who takes no prisoners.
Tadao comes to fight, and will start winging bombs from the Opening-Bell.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Deuk-Koo Kim Clobbers Japan's Tadao Ishido in 5 ~

South Korean - Deuk-Koo Kim 'clobbered' Tadio Ishido moments in to Round 5 to retain his
OPBF Lightweight Championship.

In a 'torrid' slugfest, both hard-punching fighters went at it from the Opening Bell. Deuk-Koo
was more accurate, but his Japanese opponent came in with more power.

During the first 3-Rounds, both Asian fighters slugged away at each other with both giving
'no quarter'. But in Round 4, it was the 'non-stop' punching of OPBF Champion Deuk-Koo
which started to take over.

At the {2:00 Mark} of Round 4, Deuk-Koo shook the Japanese Challenger with a '6-Punch'
combination and then dropped his opponent with a 'lightning-bolt' left-hook to the chin.
Tadoa was down for a the '4-Count', but then came fighting back.

Both fighters went toe-to-toe for the next 30-Seconds, until Deuk-Koo dropped Tadoa for a
'2nd-time' with another jolting left-hook to the chin. This time Tadao was down for a '7-Count',
before rising on wobbling legs.

The Japanese fighter was in trouble over the last 10-Seconds of Round 4, and was 'saved-by-the-bell'.

Coming out for Round 5, a still 'dazed' Tadao Ishido wobbled out of his corner. Deuk-Koo came
straight at him, and slammed in a hard 'right-left' hook to the jaw, dropping Tadao flat-on-his-back
and 'out'.

The Referee - Dong-Ho Kim did not bother to count, and waved the bout over at {0:10} of Round 5.

[brocktonblockbust]

I remember watching the fight on TV Live what a terrible tragedy. When I was in South Korea I would mention it to a lot of people there but none of them seem to remember I guess it was too long ago

[Dia bando]

I remember this fight if I am correct, this brought on the governing body's reducing championship
fights down to 12 rounds.
Also more stringent rules, on making weight.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ August 1982 ~

WBA Lightweight Happenings

Deuk-Koo Kim >, was the OPBF Lightweight Champion, and the {Age; 23 years, 7 months}
South Korean had a record of 17-1-1 with {8 KO's}.

1982 had been a very good year for the 5' 6" southpaw Lightweight, as he had won the
OPBF Lightweight Title on February 28, 1982 > and had defended his crown '3-Times' within
4-Months.

Deuk-Koo had fought '5-Times' in 1982, and had won all his bouts and scored {2 KO's}.

According to reports, Deuk-Koo wanted to Challenge WBA Champion Ray Mancini for his next bout.

Deuk-Koo had all '19' of his bouts in South Korea, but was willing to come to the United States if
he was offered a Championship Bout.


Ray Mancini >, as the WBA Champion at {Age; 21 years, 5 months}, the 5' 4 1/2" power-pack
Lightweight had won the WBA Lightweight Title by scoring a {TKO 1} over Arturo Frias on May 8, 1982.

Ray had just defeated 'mandatory' Challenger #1 WBA-ranked Ernesto Espana {TKO 6} on July 24, 1982
for his 1st Title defense.
'
Ray now had a record of 24-1-0 with {19 KO's}, and the 'Mancini Team' was looking for a 'relatively safe' next
opponent.


~ Back Room Negotiations ~

According to reports, Dave Wolf {Manager for Ray Mancini} had a fight contract with CBS-TV and Top Rank,
for Ray to make a Title Defense in Las Vegas {Caesar's Palace} for early November 1982, and with a very
large Fight Purse.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ August 1982 ~

~ Ring Magazine ~

*** Alexis Arguello
#1 . Aaron Pryor
#2 . Ray Mancini
#3 . Edwin Rosario
#4 . Andy Ganigan
#5 . Howard Davis Jr.
#6 . Ruben Munoz
#7 . Gonzallo Montellano
#8 . Hilmer Kenty
#9 . Rodolfo Gonzalez
#10. Arturo Frias
#11. Claude Noel
#12. Roberto Elizondo
#13. Jose Luis Ramirez
#14. Ernesto Espana
#15. James Busceme
#16. Barry Michael
#17. Greg Coverson
#18. Tony Baltazar
#19. Orlando Romero
#20. Davey Lee Armstrong
#21. Herman Montes
#22. Davidson Andeh
#23. John Montes
#24. Jerome Artis
#25. Deuk-Koo Kim

[Bill Paxtom]

September 16, 1982

~ Ray Mancini Signs To Defend His WBA Championship ~

Ray Mancini will defending his WBA Lightweight Championship for the 2nd-time
since winning the title on May 8, 1982

His opponent will be the #1 WBA Challenger - Deuk-Koo Kim of Seoul, South Korea.

The bout has been set for Saturday, November 13, 1982 at Caesar's Palace {Outdoor Pavillon}
in Las Vegas Nevada.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hyun-Chi Kim {Manager} >

"We have signed for this bout and with expectations of taking the Championship back
to South Korea."

"Deuk-Koo is back in Seoul, training at the 'Dong-Ha Boxing Gymnasium'. We plan to go
to Los Angeles in mid-October for 3-Weeks of training there. After that, we will go to
Las Vegas on November 2nd, for 10-days of fine-tuning."

[Bill Paxtom]

Pre-Fight Weigh-In

Ray Mancini .............. 134 3/4 lbs.

Deuk-Koo Kim ........... 134 1/4 lbs.


__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ______

~ Tale of the Tape ~

* Ray Mancini..................................... * Deuk-Koo Kim
* WBA Lightweight Champion ...................... * OPBF Lightweight Champion {#1 WBA Challenger}
* Age............ 21 years, 8 months .................* 23 years, 10 months
* Height ....... 5' 6" ..................................... * 5' 6"
* Reach ........ 66 3/4"................................. * 66 1/2"
* Weight ...... 134 3/4 lbs. ........................... * 134 1/4 lbs.
* Stance........ Orthodox .............................. * Southpaw
* Style ......... Aggressive Puncher ................ * Aggressive Puncher
* Record ...... 24-1-0 {19 KO's} ................... * 17-1-1 {8 KO's}
* Nickname .. 'Boom Boom' ......................... * 'Gidae' {Hope}

Fight Purses
* Ray Mancini ........ $250,000 ...... {+ $10,000 in Training Expenses and Travel Expenses}
* Deuk-Koo Kim ....... $20,000 ...... {+ $10,000 in Training Expenses and Travel Expenses}

Both fighters were 'scheduled' to be in Las Vegas, Nevada 10-Days before the bout {Wednesday ~ November 3, 1982}

Deuk-Koo Kim arrived in Las Vegas on Friday, November 5th.

Deuk-Koo Kim was sparring in Las Vegas with Ricardo Jiminez, a pretty good 22 year-old Light-Welterweight
from Los Angeles with a record of 27-8-2 {17 KO's}.

Ray Mancini was listed as a {7-1} Betting-Favorite.