7. Chang Jung-Koo
Years Active: 1980-1991
Professional record: 38-4, 17 KOs
Titles: WBC Light Flyweight champion 1983-1988.
Chang Jung-Koo is known by his nickname, “The Korean Hawk” because of his relentless style, handspeed and footwork reminded many of the great Aaron Pryor.
Among his most noteworthy wins before winning the title, he scored a third knockout of former WBA flyweight champion Alfonso Lopez in only his 15th pro fight. Then, Chang stopped future IBF flyweight champion Jong-Kwan Chung in the sixth round and defeated former WBC light flyweight champion Amado Ursua by a 10-round unanimous decision.
Chang failed in first attempt to win the world title, losing by split decision to Hilario Zapata of Panama in 1982. However, in the rematch held in Seoul, he knocked out Zapata in the 3rd round and became the WBC light flyweight world champion.
The Korean Hawk would go on the ellipse Yoko Guishiken’s record for most successful title defenses in the light flyweight division with 16 consecutive title wins between 1983 and 1988, before retiring as the champion.
Chang made an ill-fated comeback in 1989 due to financial troubles. In an attempt to regain his old title, he challenged and lost to the new WBC light flyweight champion, Humberto González.
He moved up one weight division and made two attempts to wrestle the WBC flyweight title, losing to both Sot Chitalada (who Chang had defeated before in a successful title defense) and the hard punching IBF flyweight champion Muangchai Kittikasem. Chang retired for good after Kittikasem defeated him by 12th-round knockout in 1991.
He became the first Korean boxer to be inducted in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June 2010.
Photo via WBC
