Report, photos by Joe Koizumi
People say that boxing in Korea has been declining, but there are still a few talented prospects and there took place the Korean rookie championship finals on Sunday at Seoul High School Arena, Seoul, Korea. The main event of the card was a ten-rounder of former OPBF 154-pound champ Jung-Kyoung Lee’s comeback go after his forfeiture of the regional belt at the hand of Japanese southpaw puncher Akinori Watanabe via eleventh-round come-from-behind stoppage this August.
A six-footer Lee (9-3-1, 5 KOs), 155, displayed a good form, swept all rounds and finally had veteran Thailander Narong Bunchan (AKA Saddam Kietyongyuth; 28-7, 22 KOs), 154.5, retire on the stool after the sixth round in a scheduled ten.
The elongated Korean turned so furious and ferocious that he downed the fading Thailander to the ropes for a mandatory eight count in the fatal sixth. Having a narrow escape by the bell, Narong wasn’t able to go on and gave up fighting then and there. The victorious Lee wishes to regain any regional 154-pound belt early next year.
This reporter unexpectedly encountered former WBC flyweight champ Chan-Hee Park who dethroned the legendary kingpin Miguel Canto by an upset decision in 1979—with a great surprise, but more surprising was Park, 62, demonstrated a couple of sparring sessions with a much taller active girl boxer, and then showcased his very fast shadowboxing to impress the crowd. Park is coaching youngsters, so he is in good shape unlike other retired boxers. But don’t attempt a comeback, Park.
