A Helping Hand for Boxer in Coma

Lots of people have shown their warm hearts to Korean boxer Choi Yo-sam (35), in a coma following surgery related to brain injuries suffered in a boxing title match.

The Korea Boxing Commission, along with a council of professional boxing gyms, on Friday announced that it opened a bank account (Shinhan Bank 140-007-929850, Depositor: Korea Boxing Commission, Tel. 02-980-3440-2) in order to raise funds for Choi’s medical fees.

Thanks to their efforts, they have already raised 7 million won. A former professional boxer who once had brain surgery due to injuries suffered in a boxing title match donated 5 million won. Boxing gyms across the nation have received countless inquiries on how to help the boxer in a coma.

The boxing commission decided to launch a fund-raising campaign due to the snowballing medical fees of Choi, who has been in a coma for four days after surgery on his brain to stop a cerebral hemorrhage after his title match on December 25. According to the commission, even though it has collected 1% of fight money to protect fighters’ health, only 10 million won remains in the fund.

Choi’s family said the boxer is still in a coma and his brain edema is getting worse.

bluesky@donga.com