Matthew Hurley: Choi Yoi-sam, the South Korean boxer who slipped into a coma on December 25th after winning a unanimous decision over Heri Amol in Seoul in defense of his WBO intercontinental flyweight title, has been declared brain dead by his doctors. Ko Seung-kwan, a spokesman for the Seoul Asan Hospital said that a panel of nine doctors led by a neurosurgeon determined the fighter to be brain dead after two examinations..
Upon notification of the diagnosis Choi’s relatives said that he would be disconnected from a life support system on Thursday night, January 3rd, the anniversary of the death of his father. Choi is 33 years old.
The young fighter fell into unconsciousness after suffering a knockdown in the final round of his bout with Indonesian challenger Heri Amol. The fighter had gestured to the right side of his head as he backed into his corner with only seconds remaining in the bout before Amol floored him with a right cross. The champion regained his footing but slumped to the canvas after the bell. The stricken fighter lay unconscious as the decision was announced in his favor. He was removed from the arena by stretcher and taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery for a cerebral hemorrhage.
According to his younger brother, Choi Kyung Ho, the fighter’s organs will 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.”
Choi’s mother, O Sun Hee was devastated by the news of her son’s condition. “Yo Sam was my heart,” she told the Yonhap News Service. “He suffered so much and now he is going to a good place.”
Choi was the fifth of six children. The tragedy of Choi Yoi-sam hits doubly hard after reports of his diary revealed that the fighter was suffering from depression and was questioning whether or not to continue his career in the ring.
“There are wounds in my heart,” he wrote. “I need treatment.”
In the final entries of what reporter Sam Kim of the Yonhap News Service described as a scribbled daily log Choi spoke of his loneliness and his growing antipathy towards his profession.
“Not much time is left. Will I be a loser again? I can’t concentrate… I just want to live a simple life in a pretty house on a green landscape with someone I love. Now, I don’t like the smell of blood anymore. I’m just afraid of tomorrow.”
Choi had been able to save a substantial amount of his ring purses to buy his mother a modest apartment.
“He used to ask whether I have enough money to pay bills,” she said. “He has lived a hard life. I hope he has gone to a peaceful place.”
The entire boxing community sends its condolences to Choi’s family and friends.