Chong Pal Park

Chong Pal Park, born on August 11, 1958, in Seoul, South Korea, carved a formidable path through the super-middleweight division during an era when the weight class was still finding its footing in professional boxing. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall with a 72-inch reach, Park’s orthodox stance and knockout power became his signature over a decade-long career, culminating in a professional record of 46 wins (39 by knockout), 5 losses, and 1 draw.

Park began his career with a third-round stoppage victory over Young Soo Jung at the Gudeok Gymnasium in Busan on November 26, 1977. Over the next four years, he established himself as a rising force, amassing an impressive record before facing former world middleweight title challenger Fulgencio Obelmejias in November 1981. Travelling to Venezuela for the bout, Park suffered an eighth-round knockout defeat, marking his second professional loss.

Unshaken, Park rebounded with six consecutive wins but stumbled again in May 1983, losing to unbeaten Kyung Min Ra in a bout for the OPBF middleweight title. However, as a testament to his resilience, Park avenged that loss three months later, knocking out Min Ra in the fourth round to claim the regional title. This victory reignited his momentum, leading to four more wins and setting the stage for his defining moment: a challenge for the IBF World Super-Middleweight Title.

In July 1984, Park faced Murray Sutherland, a transplanted Scotsman who had recently become the first-ever IBF super-middleweight champion. Despite being floored in the second round, Park displayed his tenacity, rallying to stop Sutherland in the 11th round and claim the title. This win solidified his top contender position and marked the beginning of a dominant reign.

Park defended his IBF title eight times, showcasing his ability to dismantle challengers with precision and power. His most notable performances included a gruelling 15th-round stoppage of Vinnie Curto in Los Angeles and a series of emphatic knockouts that established him as one of the division’s most feared fighters. In December 1987, he vacated the IBF title and captured the vacant WBA Super-Middleweight Title with a second-round TKO of Jesus Gallardo.

Despite his successes, 1988 proved to be a challenging year for Park. A unanimous decision loss to Fulgencio Obelmejias in their May rematch foreshadowed his career's end. Later that year, on December 22, he faced fellow South Korean In Chul Baek at the World Trade Center in Seoul. Park suffered a ninth-round knockout loss and announced his retirement shortly after.

A trailblazer in the super-middleweight division, Park’s career was defined by his explosive knockout power, resilience in adversity, and willingness to face top-tier opposition. His contributions helped shape the early years of the 168-pound weight class, leaving a legacy as one of South Korea’s finest boxing champions.