Ex-WBA Champ Wins Shootfighting Debut

Former boxing champion Choi Yong-soo (34) won a KO victory in his debut match in the fighting circuit K-1.

Choi knocked out Swedish Muay Thai champion Driton Rama in a super fight match of “K-1 Fighting Network Khan in Seoul” at Jangchung Gymnasium on September 16. Choi knocked him down three times during the 42 seconds after the fight started.

Choi is a world-class boxer who successfully defended his championship title seven times until 1998 since he won the super featherweight championship of the World Boxing Association (WBA) in December of 1995. At one time, Choi had a hard time making ends meet by driving a truck for a living, due to his business failure after retiring in January 2003.

However, “Returned Fighter” Choi showed such powerful punches for a three-year absence from boxing.

Upon the start of first round, Choi threw powerful one-two punches at Rama’s body and side and knocked him down in just seven seconds. After that, Choi threw fast left straights and right hooks and Rama again collapsed. Rama, who just stood up, eventually gave up after being punched by Choi.

Choi said, “K-1 assigned a very weak fighter to me in my debut match,” and added, “I thank my mother. I will fight better in my next game as much as I got a second chance as a fighter.”

jaeyuna@donga.com