Jung Koo Chang

Jung Koo Chang (born February 4 1963 in Busan) is a South Korean world boxing champion. His nickname is "The Korean Hawk".

Chang took the tough road to becoming a world champion. In Chang's 15th pro fight he faced former WBA Flyweight Champion Alfonso Lopez. Chang knocked out Lopez in the 3rd round. Next Chang faced future IBF Flyweight Champion Jong Kwan Chung, stopping Chung in the 6th round. In his 18th fight, and last before challenging for his first World Title, Chang scored a 10 round unanimous decision over former WBC Lt. Flyweight Champion Amado Ursua.

In Chang's first world title try, he lost to Hilario Zapata of Panama by a 15 round split decision in 1982, by scores of 148-145, 142-144 and 144-147. However, in a rematch held at Seoul, he avenged that loss and became WBC Light Flyweight World Champion by knocking out Zapata at 2:46 of the 3rd round.

Chang then went on to establish a then world record for the most defenses as World Light Flyweight champion, defending the title successfully 16 times between 1983 and 1988 when he retired. Financial difficulties pushed Chang back into the ring in 1989 when he challenged and lost to Humberto Gonzalez, who was the WBC Light Flyweight Champion at the time.

He failed in two attempts to win the WBC flyweight title against Sot Chitalada and Muangchai Kittikasem, retiring for good after being KO'd by Kittikasem in the 12th round of their fight in 1991.

Chang's record for successive title defenses in the 108 pound division would fall to Myung Woo Yuh who successfully defended his WBA Jr. Flyweight Title 17 times in his first reign between 1985 and 1991.

Chang had a record of 38 wins and 4 losses, with 17 wins by knockout.

See also

* List of Koreans
* List of Korea-related topics

* List of WBC world champions
* Sport in South Korea

External links

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