S Korean fighter brain-dead, hospital says

SEOUL: South Korean boxer Choi Yo-Sam was pronounced brain-dead yesterday after he lapsed into a coma following a championship bout last week, a hospital said.

Choi, 33, was pronounced brain-dead by a nine-member panel led by a neurosurgeon following two examinations, the Seoul Asan Hospital said in a statement.

Choi's relatives said he would be disconnected from a life support system late Thursday, the anniversary of the death of his father. His organs would then be harvested for donation.

"Yo-Sam always said he wanted to help those in need and he would be pleased to hear that his organs are being donated to save other lives," his younger brother Choi Kyung-Ho told journalists.

Doctors said up to nine patients would receive the organs.

Choi fell unconscious after successfully defending his World Boxing Organization intercontinental flyweight title on December 25. He collapsed five seconds before the end of the 12th and final round after challenger Heri Amol of Indonesia threw a right to his jaw.

Amol had earlier landed a punishing series of right and left hooks to his face.

Choi managed to stand as he was declared winner but collapsed into a coma immediately afterwards. He was the fifth child of six children.

"Yo-Sam was my heart. He suffered so much and now he is going to a good place," said his 65-year-old mother, O Sun-Hee. "He used to ask whether I have enough money to pay bills."

Choi had saved enough of his prize money to buy his mother a modest apartment. But he received only some $3,000 for his last fight, reflecting the waning popularity of the sport here.

In a previous incident, South Korean boxer Kim Duk-Koo died from injuries sustained during a match against US champion Ray Mancini in Las Vegas in 1982.

His death led to reforms in boxing, including the end of 15-round bouts and the introduction of health checks before and after fights.

AFP

(China Daily 01/03/2008 page22)