In 1969, the year he turned 19, he made his pro boxing debut. His first bout was a four-round draw. In 1971, he beat Moon Jung-ho to become Korean bantamweight champion.
In 1972, he beat Al Diaz of the Philippines to win the Oriental title. In February 1973, he beat Sukhothai of Thailand in Bangkok with a comeback KO in round 8, and four days later he enlisted in the Army.
The breakthrough yearThe year he turned 24, while in military service, he beat Arnold Taylor by decision in Durban, South Africa, to become WBA bantamweight world champion. He was the second Korean world champion after Kim Ki-soo. On his return he rode in a car parade from Gimpo Airport to City Hall. It came five years after his pro debut.
In March 1975, he lost the title by a round-4 KO to Alfonso Zamora in Los Angeles. The year he turned 27, he was knocked down four times in round 2 of the first WBA super bantamweight title fight and still won by KO in round 3. The fight is known in Korea as “sajeon ogi.” In February 1978, he won his first defense, and in May he lost his second.
In 1980, he fought a farewell bout against Yum Dong-kyun and left the ring. In 1981, he became a trainer for Kim Chul-ho and Chang Jung-koo. In 1982, he moved to the United States, where he spent 10 years. In 1992, he returned to Korea.
In 1995, he became a KBS boxing commentator and married the singer Ok-hee. In 2000, he began giving lectures on “sajeon ogi.” In 2003, he published his first book and appeared in a film. From April 2005, he hosted a KBS 2 Radio show.
In 2012, he was elected 22nd president of the Korea Boxing Commission. In 2015, he spoke at a breakfast forum as head of the Korea Boxers Association. In 2022, an event marked the 48th anniversary of his world title. In 2026, he was named a publicity ambassador for Samcheok.
Hong Soo-hwan (born May 26, 1950) made his pro boxing debut on May 10, 1969, the year he turned 19, and became known on Jul 4, 1974, the year he turned 24, when he won the WBA bantamweight world title in Durban, South Africa. On Nov 27, 1977, the year he turned 27, he became the first WBA super bantamweight champion in Panama.
Ages are by calendar year (the year minus the birth year), birthdays aside.
Fought a four-round bout against Kim Sang-il that ended in a draw.
Source 01 · Monthly Chosun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan and the four-down, five-up story · opens in a new tabSource 05 · The Chosun Ilbo (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan’s treasure is a championship belt · opens in a new tabBeat Moon Jung-ho to become Korean champion.
Source 05 · The Chosun Ilbo (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan’s treasure is a championship belt · opens in a new tabSource 01 · Monthly Chosun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan and the four-down, five-up story · opens in a new tabSource 12 · Wikipedia (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan · opens in a new tab The Chosun Ilbo says he became Korean champion at 21. Sept. 14 is from Wikipedia and could not be confirmed in news reports.After three defenses of the Korean title, he beat Al Diaz of the Philippines to win the Oriental title.
Source 05 · The Chosun Ilbo (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan’s treasure is a championship belt · opens in a new tabSource 01 · Monthly Chosun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan and the four-down, five-up story · opens in a new tabSource 12 · Wikipedia (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan · opens in a new tab The year 1972 follows The Chosun Ilbo (a year after the Korean title). The Seoul Shinmun (2006) gives 1971. June 4 is from Wikipedia and could not be confirmed in news reports.Won by a comeback knockout in round 8 against Thanomchit Sukhothai of Thailand.
Source 01 · Monthly Chosun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan and the four-down, five-up story · opens in a new tabWas assigned to the Capital Defense Command. His world title fight the next year also came during his service.
Source 01 · Monthly Chosun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan and the four-down, five-up story · opens in a new tabAs an army private first class, he beat champion Arnold Taylor in Durban, South Africa, by unanimous decision over 15 rounds, and became the second Korean world champion after Kim Ki-soo. On his return he rode in a car parade from Gimpo Airport to City Hall, broadcast live on TV.
Beat Fernando Cabanela of the Philippines on a decision to retain the title. He was still an active-duty soldier.
Source 01 · Monthly Chosun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan and the four-down, five-up story · opens in a new tabLost the title by a round-4 knockout to Alfonso Zamora of Mexico.
Source 01 · Monthly Chosun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan and the four-down, five-up story · opens in a new tab The month is from Monthly Chosun. March 14 appears on Wikipedia but could not be confirmed in news reports.It was the domestic qualifier for the super bantamweight division newly created by the WBA. Four months later he beat Futaro Tanaka of Japan to earn a place in the title fight.
Source 01 · Monthly Chosun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan and the four-down, five-up story · opens in a new tabIn Panama he fought 17-year-old Hector Carrasquilla, who was 11–0 with 11 KOs. Knocked down four times in round 2, he won by a comeback KO after 48 seconds of round 3. Koreans call the fight “sajeon ogi,” down four times and up five. With it he became a world champion in a second weight class, after bantamweight.
Source 04 · Munhwa Ilbo (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan pulls off his four-down, five-up win · opens in a new tabSource 01 · Monthly Chosun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan and the four-down, five-up story · opens in a new tabSource 02 · Seoul Shinmun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan writes a second comeback · opens in a new tab The date is Korea time. Monthly Chosun gives Nov. 26, the local date.Knocked down Yu Kasahara of Japan five times and won on a decision.
Source 01 · Monthly Chosun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan and the four-down, five-up story · opens in a new tab The month is from Monthly Chosun. The day appears on Wikipedia but could not be confirmed in news reports.Lost to Ricardo Cardona by a round-12 knockout.
Source 01 · Monthly Chosun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan and the four-down, five-up story · opens in a new tabLeft the ring after a farewell match at Jangchung Gymnasium in Seoul. His pro record is 50 fights, 41 wins (14 KOs), 4 draws and 5 losses.
Source 02 · Seoul Shinmun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan writes a second comeback · opens in a new tabSource 05 · The Chosun Ilbo (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan’s treasure is a championship belt · opens in a new tab Dec. 19 appears on Wikipedia but could not be confirmed in news reports.Worked as a trainer for younger fighters.
Source 02 · Seoul Shinmun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan writes a second comeback · opens in a new tabSource 01 · Monthly Chosun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan and the four-down, five-up story · opens in a new tabIn Los Angeles he sold shoes and cars, and in Alaska he drove a taxi.
Source 02 · Seoul Shinmun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan writes a second comeback · opens in a new tabSource 01 · Monthly Chosun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan and the four-down, five-up story · opens in a new tab The Seoul Shinmun gives 1982–1992 as his years in the United States.Came back to Korea after 10 years.
Source 02 · Seoul Shinmun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan writes a second comeback · opens in a new tabWorked as a broadcast commentator.
Source 02 · Seoul Shinmun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan writes a second comeback · opens in a new tabThe couple had a son and a daughter.
Source 10 · The Dong-A Ilbo (Korean) · Singer Ok-hee dies · opens in a new tabBegan with a lecture on sajeon ogi, down four times and up five, for Chuncheon city officials, then lectured across the country. A 2006 article says he had given more than 800 lectures.
Source 02 · Seoul Shinmun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan writes a second comeback · opens in a new tabServed as a special boxing instructor at the Korea Air Force Academy.
Source 02 · Seoul Shinmun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan writes a second comeback · opens in a new tabPublished his first book, titled Nuguegedo Hanbangeun Itda (roughly, Everyone Has One Punch). That year he also appeared in the film Choehuui Manchan (The Last Supper).
Source 02 · Seoul Shinmun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan writes a second comeback · opens in a new tabSource 08 · Kyeongin Ilbo (Korean) · I’m from Incheon: Hong Soo-hwan · opens in a new tabHosted the show every evening on Happy FM.
Source 02 · Seoul Shinmun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan writes a second comeback · opens in a new tabHis second book, titled Ringboda Insaengi Museopdeora (roughly, Life Was Scarier Than the Ring).
Source 08 · Kyeongin Ilbo (Korean) · I’m from Incheon: Hong Soo-hwan · opens in a new tabElected unanimously at the national general assembly for a four-year term.
Source 06 · The Kyunghyang Shinmun (Korean) · Hong Soo-hwan elected 22nd president of the Korea Boxing Commission · opens in a new tabSource 08 · Kyeongin Ilbo (Korean) · I’m from Incheon: Hong Soo-hwan · opens in a new tab The Kyeongin Ilbo gives 2014–2021 as his term as 22nd president, which conflicts with The Kyunghyang Shinmun.Spoke at the 132nd breakfast forum as head of the Korea Boxers Association.
Source 07 · E-News Today (Korean) · Gyeonggi Economic Organizations Federation breakfast forum · opens in a new tabThe event was held in Anyang, and about 400 people attended.
Source 09 · Job Post (Korean) · 48th anniversary of the world title · opens in a new tabShe was 73.
Source 10 · The Dong-A Ilbo (Korean) · Singer Ok-hee dies · opens in a new tabThe term runs two years, until Sept. 3, 2028. Samcheok said it plans to use his sports connections to attract tournaments and training camps.
Source 11 · Yonhap News Agency (Korean) · Named Samcheok publicity ambassador · opens in a new tabEND OF SELECTED RECORDSSelected records, 1969–2026 · not a complete list of work. “Key moment” is an editorial label, not a measure of success.
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Sports · South Korea
May 26, 1950 —
Ages are counted from the birth year 1950: the year of the event minus 1950, birthdays aside. “Key moment” labels and the connecting story are AgeTrail's editorial reading.
Fact-checked: 2026.10.02 · An independent archive, not affiliated with the person or their agency.