Old boy returns to the ring

“They were long and rough days. I believed that I got over all the difficulties somehow. But suddenly I opened my eyes with young dream. Boxing brought me my fight spirit again…”

He was the boy who went up to Seoul recklessly 23 years ago, only dreaming to become a world pro-boxing champion. Now he challenges for Asia champion in his 40 years old.

He is Cheong Kyoung-seok, 40, who will have a title match of Pan Asian Boxing Association (PABA) super lightweight in Jakarta, Indonesia on January 11. The opponent is Daudy Shai Bahari (21, Indonesia) who is 19 years younger than Cheong. Even if Cheong is the oldest challenger in Korea, and Bahari is an invincible champion who is making all victories for 21 games (11KO), Cheong is not scared. Rather it makes fire on his fight.

40 years old is the age in which you should already left the ring. But why does he still stay in the ring?

Cheong whose hometown is Cheonju, Cheonbook went up to Seoul at his 17 years old with no definite object. He is the eldest son in brother and sister twelve some. Getting a world champion title is the only way to escape from the tiresome poverty since he had no money and no education. He worked for a Chinese restaurant as a deliver boy and at night hit a sandbag in boxing center. But the dream didn’t make everything possible. One day he was completely struck and got his nose broken when he did sparring against a pro boxer.

And the first thing he has to do was to make a living. He thought that he couldn’t devote himself to boxing in order to feed little brothers and sisters. So he took off his gloves and worked hard for money. And 10 years passed since then. He built a restaurant in Kyoungsan, Kyoungbook. It is not small restaurant in which he has 18 employees and franchise stores.

“The resolution of making living reminded me of my young dream. I started boxing again. I felt that I went back to the past when I punched like mad.”

In 2000, Kyoungbook Province Sports Festival opened. His acquaintances persuaded him to join the competition. He joined with half of his will and half of other’s will and stepped up to final. He himself was astonished and his friends also were surprised. He became confident. So he took part in pro-boxing welterweight of Rookie King in 2001 in his 37 years old. He landed final again while he only would like to win a game.

He failed to get to sleep the last night of the final. “Yes, my life has been the repetition of challenge, breakdown and overcome. It will be continuous in the future. I am not shamed even if I lose. The fight against suffering has been the motive force for my life.”

So he continued his boxing even if he lost in the final by judge. His pro results are 8 wins (4KO) and 2 losses and he currently ranks the second in Korea.

His challenge for this champion is the start for his achievement to his 23 years’ dream. The result is not important. His lively passion is important. So he won’t quit boxing with any coming troubles.

That’s the reason why 40-year-old enterpriser and a father having two sons still hit the sandbag.

Won-Hong Lee bluesky@donga.com