Yong-Kang Kim
Encyclopedia
Yong-Kang Kim (born January 3, 1965 in Hwasun, Jeollanam-do
, South Korea
) is a former professional boxer
in the flyweight
(112 lb
) division.
and The Ring flyweight
titles with a decision win over Sot Chitalada
in 1988. He lost his belts in his third defense in a rematch with Chitalada.
In 1991 he won the WBA
flyweight
title with a decision win over Elvis Álvarez
. He defended the belt twice before losing it to Aquiles Guzman
in 1992.
In 1994 Kim returned for his biggest fight, for he WBA
flyweight
title against Saen Sor Ploenchit. The fight was staged a half mile from the Bridge over the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi
, Thailand
. Over 50,000 fans turned out for the free boxing event. Although Ploenchit was dropped in round one, he went on to easily outbox the former world champion Kim.
Jeollanam-do
Jeollanam-do is a province in the southwest of South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the southern half of the former Jeolla province, remained a province of Korea until the country's division in 1945, then became part of South Korea...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
) is a former professional boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
in the flyweight
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
(112 lb
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
) division.
Pro career
Kim turned pro in 1985 and captured the WBCWorld Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
and The Ring flyweight
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
titles with a decision win over Sot Chitalada
Sot Chitalada
Sot Chitalada in Chonburi, Thailand, was formerly twice WBC Flyweight Champion.Chitalada built a reputation as a Muay Thai in name Chaovalit Sithphrabrahma champion in Thailand before making the transition to professional boxing...
in 1988. He lost his belts in his third defense in a rematch with Chitalada.
In 1991 he won the WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
flyweight
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
title with a decision win over Elvis Álvarez
Elvis Álvarez
Elvis Álvarez was professional boxer in the flyweight division.- Boxing career :...
. He defended the belt twice before losing it to Aquiles Guzman
Aquiles Guzman
Aquiles Guzman is a former Venezuelan professional boxer. He is a former World Boxing Association flyweight champion.- Professional career :...
in 1992.
In 1994 Kim returned for his biggest fight, for he WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
flyweight
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
title against Saen Sor Ploenchit. The fight was staged a half mile from the Bridge over the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi ) is a town in the west of Thailand and the capital of Kanchanaburi province. In 2006 it had a population of 31,327...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. Over 50,000 fans turned out for the free boxing event. Although Ploenchit was dropped in round one, he went on to easily outbox the former world champion Kim.