"The Korean Hawk:" A True Great Worth of the Hall

[holmcall]

After losing a cow, one repairs the barn. Only after a big disaster, you fix the problem.
--Korean Proverb


Arguably, had he fought in the U.S. during his reign, Jung-Koo Chang's popularity would had rivaled that of Aaron Pryor, from whom he took his nickname. He went 37-1 in his first 38 outings. In 1983, he avenged his first loss by icing Hilario Zapata and capturing the WBC light flyweight crown. Amazingly, "The Hawk" then established what then would be a world record for the most defenses as World Light Flyweight champion, defending the title successfully 16 times between 1983 and 1988. Chang's record for successive title defenses in the 108 pound division would fall to Myung Woo Yuh who successfully defended his WBA Jr. Flyweight Title 17 times in his first reign between 1985 and 1991. Among those "The Hawk" swooped upon were rugged Mexican bomber German Torres (thrice), a young Sot Chitalada, Francisco Montiel (twice), Hideyuki Ohashi (twice), and the great Isidro Perez. Chitalada later avenged his loss with a MD win in 1990. The following year, he lost to Muangchai "J-Okay" Kittikasem and then retired

The thing about Chang was his charisma and connection to the fans. Perhaps it had to do with his Pryor-like style which consisted of amazing hand speed and footwork. He swarmed his opponents with a relentless style and accurate volleys one after another. And, of course, typical of so many other Korean fighters of that era, he was a rough guy who would use head butts and elbows if necessary.

Chang was incredibly popular in South Korea and became the first Korean boxer to ever be ranked in the top 10 P4P by Ring Magazine. He also became one of the few champions from the lower weight classes considered as the best fighter pound for pound.

A party type of guy, not unlike the great Carlos Monzon, he drew the attention of young females. By the time he flew to Japan for a rematch against the number contender Hideyuki Ohashi who he had previously stopped in five rounds, his reflexes were not what they once were. In what was one of the great closet classics, He staggered Ohashi in the opening round. In round 3, he sent Ohashi to the canvas three times, but the challenger somehow got back up, hurting the champion with a counter punch before the round ended. Then, Ohashi began to come on strong knowing that he was badly behind on the scorecards. The two exchanged savaged shots without regard to their welfare and without any semblance of defense. Finally. "The Hawk" halted Ohashi after decking him twice in the eight canto. It was one for the books and one few ever heard about.

Had he retired there and then, it would have been a perfect ending, but boxing never promises anyone a happy ending. His wife took off to America with all of his money and, without a high school diploma, he returned to the ring in an all-too familiar story. However, it was within the realm of possibility for Chang to win another world title since he was only twenty-six years old. But he had peaked long before, and his return had the inevitable result as he lost to future Hall of Fame inductee Humberto "Chiquita" Gonzalez and then, in his final bout, to Maungchai Kittikasem of Thailand in a great fight--indeed, another classic in which Chang dropped his younger Thai opponent twice and looked as though he was on his way to become a two-division champion. Going into the 12th and final round, he was leading on all scorecards, but a Kittikasem left hook from hell sent him to the canvas badly hurt. He got up and was knocked down again, this time through the ropes. Though he bravely got up, he was done and the referee had no choice but to halt the fight. Talk about dramatic endings.

"The Korean Hawk" retired for good with a 38-4 record, but he again ended up on the wrong side of the financial ledger. However, he began working with promoters and later came back to the ring as a trainer for WBC Jr. flyweight champion Yo Sam Choi (who later would be fatally injured in a fight he won). Today, he reportedly runs a chain of boxing gyms along with former Jr. bantamweight king Sung Kil Moon in Seoul and he is also involved in promoting young boxers.

More importantly, he now has become the first South Korean boxer to be nominated for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. A great choice indeed!
_________________

[Rantcatrat]

Solid Article Holmcall. Asian boxers don't get enough respect (other than wapakman, of course).

[generalbulldog]

It's not that Asian boxers don't get respect, it's just that most of them fight in the lower weights like bantamweight, flyweight, etc. And any weight class below featherweight is irrelevant to the American audience.

[Dark Lord Al]

After losing a cow, one repairs the barn. Only after a big disaster, you fix the problem.
--Korean Proverb


Arguably, had he fought in the U.S. during his reign, Jung-Koo Chang's popularity would had rivaled that of Aaron Pryor, from whom he took his nickname. He went 37-1 in his first 38 outings. In 1983, he avenged his first loss by icing Hilario Zapata and capturing the WBC light flyweight crown. Amazingly, "The Hawk" then established what then would be a world record for the most defenses as World Light Flyweight champion, defending the title successfully 16 times between 1983 and 1988. Chang's record for successive title defenses in the 108 pound division would fall to Myung Woo Yuh who successfully defended his WBA Jr. Flyweight Title 17 times in his first reign between 1985 and 1991. Among those "The Hawk" swooped upon were rugged Mexican bomber German Torres (thrice), a young Sot Chitalada, Francisco Montiel (twice), Hideyuki Ohashi (twice), and the great Isidro Perez. Chitalada later avenged his loss with a MD win in 1990. The following year, he lost to Muangchai "J-Okay" Kittikasem and then retired

The thing about Chang was his charisma and connection to the fans. Perhaps it had to do with his Pryor-like style which consisted of amazing hand speed and footwork. He swarmed his opponents with a relentless style and accurate volleys one after another. And, of course, typical of so many other Korean fighters of that era, he was a rough guy who would use head butts and elbows if necessary.

Chang was incredibly popular in South Korea and became the first Korean boxer to ever be ranked in the top 10 P4P by Ring Magazine. He also became one of the few champions from the lower weight classes considered as the best fighter pound for pound.

A party type of guy, not unlike the great Carlos Monzon, he drew the attention of young females. By the time he flew to Japan for a rematch against the number contender Hideyuki Ohashi who he had previously stopped in five rounds, his reflexes were not what they once were. In what was one of the great closet classics, He staggered Ohashi in the opening round. In round 3, he sent Ohashi to the canvas three times, but the challenger somehow got back up, hurting the champion with a counter punch before the round ended. Then, Ohashi began to come on strong knowing that he was badly behind on the scorecards. The two exchanged savaged shots without regard to their welfare and without any semblance of defense. Finally. "The Hawk" halted Ohashi after decking him twice in the eight canto. It was one for the books and one few ever heard about.

Had he retired there and then, it would have been a perfect ending, but boxing never promises anyone a happy ending. His wife took off to America with all of his money and, without a high school diploma, he returned to the ring in an all-too familiar story. However, it was within the realm of possibility for Chang to win another world title since he was only twenty-six years old. But he had peaked long before, and his return had the inevitable result as he lost to future Hall of Fame inductee Humberto "Chiquita" Gonzalez and then, in his final bout, to Maungchai Kittikasem of Thailand in a great fight--indeed, another classic in which Chang dropped his younger Thai opponent twice and looked as though he was on his way to become a two-division champion. Going into the 12th and final round, he was leading on all scorecards, but a Kittikasem left hook from hell sent him to the canvas badly hurt. He got up and was knocked down again, this time through the ropes. Though he bravely got up, he was done and the referee had no choice but to halt the fight. Talk about dramatic endings.

"The Korean Hawk" retired for good with a 38-4 record, but he again ended up on the wrong side of the financial ledger. However, he began working with promoters and later came back to the ring as a trainer for WBC Jr. flyweight champion Yo Sam Choi (who later would be fatally injured in a fight he won). Today, he reportedly runs a chain of boxing gyms along with former Jr. bantamweight king Sung Kil Moon in Seoul and he is also involved in promoting young boxers.

More importantly, he now has become the first South Korean boxer to be nominated for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. A great choice indeed!
_________________

He also should have fough unbeaten Myung Woo Yuh , they were both champions in the same division , but they never got it on , which was a shame,

[Master]

Myung Woo Yuh and Sot Chitlada were great boxers, so was Sun Kil Moon (spelling).

[holmcall]

After losing a cow, one repairs the barn. Only after a big disaster, you fix the problem.
--Korean Proverb


Arguably, had he fought in the U.S. during his reign, Jung-Koo Chang's popularity would had rivaled that of Aaron Pryor, from whom he took his nickname. He went 37-1 in his first 38 outings. In 1983, he avenged his first loss by icing Hilario Zapata and capturing the WBC light flyweight crown. Amazingly, "The Hawk" then established what then would be a world record for the most defenses as World Light Flyweight champion, defending the title successfully 16 times between 1983 and 1988. Chang's record for successive title defenses in the 108 pound division would fall to Myung Woo Yuh who successfully defended his WBA Jr. Flyweight Title 17 times in his first reign between 1985 and 1991. Among those "The Hawk" swooped upon were rugged Mexican bomber German Torres (thrice), a young Sot Chitalada, Francisco Montiel (twice), Hideyuki Ohashi (twice), and the great Isidro Perez. Chitalada later avenged his loss with a MD win in 1990. The following year, he lost to Muangchai "J-Okay" Kittikasem and then retired

The thing about Chang was his charisma and connection to the fans. Perhaps it had to do with his Pryor-like style which consisted of amazing hand speed and footwork. He swarmed his opponents with a relentless style and accurate volleys one after another. And, of course, typical of so many other Korean fighters of that era, he was a rough guy who would use head butts and elbows if necessary.

Chang was incredibly popular in South Korea and became the first Korean boxer to ever be ranked in the top 10 P4P by Ring Magazine. He also became one of the few champions from the lower weight classes considered as the best fighter pound for pound.

A party type of guy, not unlike the great Carlos Monzon, he drew the attention of young females. By the time he flew to Japan for a rematch against the number contender Hideyuki Ohashi who he had previously stopped in five rounds, his reflexes were not what they once were. In what was one of the great closet classics, He staggered Ohashi in the opening round. In round 3, he sent Ohashi to the canvas three times, but the challenger somehow got back up, hurting the champion with a counter punch before the round ended. Then, Ohashi began to come on strong knowing that he was badly behind on the scorecards. The two exchanged savaged shots without regard to their welfare and without any semblance of defense. Finally. "The Hawk" halted Ohashi after decking him twice in the eight canto. It was one for the books and one few ever heard about.

Had he retired there and then, it would have been a perfect ending, but boxing never promises anyone a happy ending. His wife took off to America with all of his money and, without a high school diploma, he returned to the ring in an all-too familiar story. However, it was within the realm of possibility for Chang to win another world title since he was only twenty-six years old. But he had peaked long before, and his return had the inevitable result as he lost to future Hall of Fame inductee Humberto "Chiquita" Gonzalez and then, in his final bout, to Maungchai Kittikasem of Thailand in a great fight--indeed, another classic in which Chang dropped his younger Thai opponent twice and looked as though he was on his way to become a two-division champion. Going into the 12th and final round, he was leading on all scorecards, but a Kittikasem left hook from hell sent him to the canvas badly hurt. He got up and was knocked down again, this time through the ropes. Though he bravely got up, he was done and the referee had no choice but to halt the fight. Talk about dramatic endings.

"The Korean Hawk" retired for good with a 38-4 record, but he again ended up on the wrong side of the financial ledger. However, he began working with promoters and later came back to the ring as a trainer for WBC Jr. flyweight champion Yo Sam Choi (who later would be fatally injured in a fight he won). Today, he reportedly runs a chain of boxing gyms along with former Jr. bantamweight king Sung Kil Moon in Seoul and he is also involved in promoting young boxers.

More importantly, he now has become the first South Korean boxer to be nominated for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. A great choice indeed!
_________________

He also should have fough unbeaten Myung Woo Yuh , they were both champions in the same division , but they never got it on , which was a shame,

Look for Suh to be the next one in.

[Spicoli]

Flat out top notch stuff Holmcall.Much needed recognition of lands and asian fighter who far too often fall by the wayside and go under the radar in many ways.Chang is one of my favs and found him only because dude I was trading with insisted (actually ignored selected requests) I look out of the hyped stars and expand outlook.Chang is one of the bravest and most determined fighters Ive ever seen..and his bravery stands right along a Gatti or Holyfield for me.Loss to Kittakasem was sensational turn around and crushing comeback defeat.Kittakasm was literally out on his feet when he landed...right on any top ten list.Thought he took the ugly rematch with Chitalada.Great read bud.

[CutMeMick]

This is great and the Hall is turning in the right direction.

2 Fighters who IMO we're loooooooooooooong overdue their induction.

Danny Lopez and Jung-Koo Chang.

I posted this a couple years back I took it from a thread that asked should Gerry Penalosa be in the HoF:

Something to think about here about the Hall of Fame.
Here are some names of fighters who SHOULD be hall of fame but have not yet been inducted. Now IMO these fighters are head & shoulders above Gerry and they happen to be Asian.

I'll start of with some of Gerrys country men who are NOT in the Hall.
Ceferino Garcia & Luisito Espinoza.

Then you've got the rest of Asians who are still waiting in line themselves;
Jung Koo Chang, Chong Pal Park, Chartchai Chionoi, Ki Soo Kim, Myung Woo Yuh, Yoko Gushiken, Sot Chitalada, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Masao Ohba, Yoshio Shirai, Pone Kingpetch, Jiro Watanabe....

I can go on and on, my point here is that for Gerry to be in the Hall is possible but just look at that list I just put together of great Asian fighters who are NOT in yet.

I mean Masamori Tokuyama beat Gerry twice (I know one of the fights was close) but I would give Masamori more of a chance at Hall then Gerry now.

[ICB]

Thanks for this article bro, i don't really know much about him. So thats great for the younger generation like me to learn of such fighters, i have seen some footage of him on youtube but hardly much, i did hear about the last fight he had where there was 4 knockdowns or something, i'd love to see that but i doubt i'll ever get to see that fight.

As for Danny Lopez i personally love watching him fight, mostly every single fight i've seen of his is brilliant. His thrillers vs Ruben Olivares, Mike Ayala, Salvador Sanchez, Jose Torres, Memo Rodriguez, ETC. Were awesome to watch.

[Master]

These fighters use to be on ITV mid late 1980's and they showed how great these fighters were, otherwise would not have known them. They use to show the Galaxy brothers too. Awesome fighters and idolised by their country.

[holmcall]

These fighters use to be on ITV mid late 1980's and they showed how great these fighters were, otherwise would not have known them. They use to show the Galaxy brothers too. Awesome fighters and idolised by their country.

Man, The Galaxy brothers were something else.

[Master]

Thai boxers have that kick boxing stance which looks stylish, their balance is excellent. Galaxy brothers had that style.