40 years ago
Ji Won Kim vs Sung In Suh
Date: 3rd January 1985
Venue: Munhwa Gymnasium, Seoul, South Korea
Title: IBF World Super-bantamweight Title
Promoter: Dong A promotion
Referee: Kwang Soo Kim
Ji Won Kim
(
11
-
0
-
2
)
Weight: 122 lbs
Sung In Suh
(
22
-
3
-
0
)
Weight: 122 lbs
On January 3, 1985, the Munhwa Gymnasium in Seoul played host to an all-Korean clash for the IBF World Super-Bantamweight Title between the defending champion Sung In Suh and the unbeaten challenger Ji Won Kim. With both fighters carrying the weight of national pride into the ring, the bout promised to be a defining moment in South Korean boxing. With a record of 22-3-0, Suh was coming off a string of successful title defences, including stoppage victories over Bobby Berna and Cleo Garcia. On the other hand, Kim entered the ring with an undefeated record of 11-0-2, carrying momentum and the ambition of a fighter eager to claim his first world title.
From the opening bell, the contest unfolded as a tactical battle. Kim, a methodical and technically astute boxer, employed sharp footwork and a disciplined jab to establish control at mid-range. Suh, accustomed to overwhelming opponents with his power, struggled to pin Kim down, frequently missing with looping hooks and wild uppercuts. Kim's strategy was clear—frustrate the champion, avoid unnecessary exchanges, and gradually chip away at his defences.
By the middle rounds, the difference in styles became increasingly evident. Kim's disciplined approach was reaping the rewards as he landed clean, accurate counters every time Suh lunged forward with reckless aggression. Suh, however, remained dangerous. His punches carried the power capable of instantly changing a fight's trajectory. The judges' scorecards reflected the competitive nature of the bout: Chin Un Chung had it 89-86 in favour of Kim, Kwang Woo Lee scored it a narrow 88-87 for the challenger, while Chul Hee Han had the fight deadlocked at 87-87.
The championship rounds revealed the mental and physical toll on both fighters. Kim's consistency never wavered, while Suh began to show signs of fatigue. The ninth round saw Kim ramp up the pressure, landing sharp combinations that visibly rocked the champion. Suh's corner urged him to rally in the tenth, but his attempts to shift momentum were met with precision counterpunches from Kim.
At 1:01 of the tenth round, Kim connected with a perfectly timed right hand, followed by a crisp left hook that sent Suh crashing to the canvas. The referee, Kwang-Soo Kim, initiated the count, but the champion was clearly in no condition to continue. The fight was waved off, and Ji Won Kim was declared the new IBF World Super-Bantamweight Champion.
This victory marked the beginning of a remarkable, albeit brief, reign for Ji Won Kim. He would defend his title four times before retiring undefeated with a record of 16-0-2. His style—a blend of discipline, precision, and technical skill—set him apart as one of South Korea's most accomplished champions.
Sung In Suh's reign ended in heartbreak, but his earlier title-winning performances against Bobby Berna and Cleo Garcia remain notable highlights in his career. His aggressive, power-punching style endeared him to fans, but against Kim, he encountered an opponent whose discipline and ring IQ proved insurmountable.