Jung-Koo Chang
Titles: WBC jr. flyweight champion 1983-1988
Record: 38-4
Born: February 4, 1963 in Pussan, South Korea
Years active: 1980-1991
Nickname: The Korean Hawk
Chang was one of the most aggressive Korean champions of all-time but it
was his bag of tricks and fast hands that propelled him to champion status.
Known as "The Korean Hawk" he was a brilliant boxer who seldom hurt his
opponent but in the mid 80's had to be considered one of the best pound for
pound fighters with 15 successful title defenses. Chang would wear a
opponent down with constant pressure while impressing the judges with at
least one flurry of combination punches a round. The one thing Chang did
not possess however was a knockout punch. Chang was so impressive in the
early stages of his career that he was rushed into a title shot against v
eteran Hilario Zapata and lost a close split decision while still only 19
years old. Zapata made the mistake of giving Chang a rematch in Korea and
was stopped in the third round of the one sided affair. This was to be the
beginning of a career that would see Chang on top of his division and the
most beloved sportsman of his country. In the last 15 round fight of the
divisions history Chang outpointed tough former champion German Torres from
Mexico, then went on to outpoint the rising Thai star Sot Chitlada having
to overcome a badly cut eye to do so. The Torres fight however did have a
moment of controversy when a legitimate knockdown of Chang was ruled a
slip. The 2 point advantage in that round would have given Torres the
decision win. Chang did give Torres a rematch and erased any doubts about
who the better fighter was with a one sided win. Fransisco Montiel, Eduardo
Tunon, Efren Pinto, and Augustin Garcia all good challengers were defeated
with little difficulty. 2 more successful title defenses followed before
Chang burdened by the financial difficulties of a failed business and
family strife decided to vacate his crown in 1988. Some say his fighting
spirit left him after the problems which led to a divorce and his return
in 1989 was less than impressive. He would loose all 3 of his comeback
fights against very good opposition. In a attempt to regain his title he
lost on points to Humberto "Chiquita" Gonzalez and a move up in weight saw
him to loose to earlier victim Sot Chitlada and Muangchai Kittikasem. He
wisely retired after the fight with Kittikasem. Chang is a example of
boxing being a mentally taxing game and a unfocused fighter will not win
at the world class level. Still in his prime he was a super boxer with a
crowd pleasing style.
Jung-Koo Chang
Career Record: 38 W, 4 L (17 K.O's)
1980
Nov 17 Jong-Yul Suh Seoul KO3
Nov 19 Jin-Hyung Park Seoul KO3
Nov 22 Eu-Kwan Lee Seoul W4
Nov 23 Ho-Chol Pyun Seoul W4
Nov 29 Hee-Sup Shin Seoul W4
Dec 7 Nam-Keun Kwang Seoul W6
1981
Jan 11 Jin-Hyung Park Pusan KO2
Jan 23 Chang-Pyo Hong Pusan W8
Mar 29 Yo-Dong Kim Pusan W6
Apr 25 Michael Bluka Pusan W10
Jun 7 Oscar Bolivar Taejon W10
Sep 4 Rod Esmero Pusan W10
Oct 11 Leonardo Paredes Taejon KO6
Nov 18 Chutmonglol Thairungriang Pusan KO2
Dec 26 Alfonso Lopez Seoul KO3
1982
Feb 10 Chong-Kwan Chung Taegu KO6
Apr 4 Luk-Odd Phitiporn Pusan KO5
Jul 10 Amado Ursua Seoul W10
Sep 18 Hilario Zapata Chunju L15
Dec 5 Rodrigo Saonoy Chungju W10
1983
Feb 6 Tito Abella Chungju KO2
Mar 26 Hilario Zapata Taejon KO3
(Wins WBC Junior Flyweight)
Jun 11 Masaharu Inami Taegu KO2
(Retains WBC Junior Flyweight)
Sep 10 German Torres Taejon W12
(Retains WBC Junior Flyweight)
1984
Mar 31 Sot Chitalada Pusan W12
(Retains WBC Junior Flyweight)
Aug 18 Katsuo Tokashiki Pohang KO9
(Retains WBC Junior Flyweight)
Dec 15 Tadashi Kuramochi Pusan W12
(Retains WBC Junior Flyweight)
1985
Apr 27 German Torres Ulsan W12
(Retains WBC Junior Flyweight)
Aug 4 Francisco Montiel Seoul W12
(Retaqins WBC Junior Flyweight)
Nov 10 Jorge Cano Taejon W12
(Retains WBC Junior Flyweight)
1986
Apr 13 German Torres Kwangju W12
(Retains WBC Junior Flyweight)
Sep 13 Francisco Montiel Taejon W12
(Retains WBC Junior Flyweight)
Dec 14 Hideyuki Ohashi Inchon KO5
(Retains WBC Junior Flyweight)
1987
Apr 19 Efrain Pinto Inchon KO6
(Retains WBC Junior Flyweight)
Jun 28 Agustin Garcia Inchon KO10
(Retains WBC Junior Flyweight)
Dec 13 Isidro Perez Taejon W12
(Retains WBC Junior Flyweight)
1988
Jun 27 Hideyuki Ohashi Tokyo KO8
(Retains WBC Junior Flyweight)
1989
Aug 27 Armando Velasco Pusan W10
Dec 9 Humberto Gonzalez Korea L12
(For WBC Junior Flyweight)
1990
Sep 15 Rico Siodora Koomi KO8
Nov 24 Sot Chitalada Seoul L12
(For WBC Flyweight)
1991
May 18 Muangchai Kittikasem Seoul KOby12