Kim Ki-soo (; September 17, 1939 – June 10, 1997) was a South Korean former professional boxer who competed from 1961 to 1969. He was South Korea's first world boxing champion, having held the undisputed WBA and WBC super-welterweight titles from 1966 to 1968.

Amateur career

Kim graduated from Kyung Hee University's College of Physical Education. He competed in boxing at the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, where he earned the gold medal of the welterweight division by defeating Soren Pirjanian of Iran, on points, in the final. He went on to represent South Korea as a welterweight at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, where he defeated Henry Perry (Ireland) on points, but then lost to Nino Benvenuti (Italy) on points.

Kim Ki-soo

Professional career

Kim turned professional in 1961 and captured the WBC, WBA and Lineal light middleweight title when he upset Nino Benvenuti by split decision in 1966. He defended the belt twice before losing it to Sandro Mazzinghi in 1968 by split decision. He retired the following year.

Kim Ki-soo

Later life

After his retirement, Kim worked as a boxing coach. He later started his own company, and was successful in business. He died of liver cancer on 10 June 1997, at the age of 57. He was survived by his wife Jeong Ha-ja (鄭夏子), two sons, and two daughters.

Kim Ki-soo

Professional boxing record

See also

List of world light-middleweight boxing champions

References

External links

Kim Ki-soo - CBZ Profile

1939 births

1997 deaths

People from Pukchong County

Kyung Hee University alumni

Boxers at the 1958 Asian Games

Olympic boxers for South Korea

Boxers at the 1960 Summer Olympics

Asian Games medalists in boxing

Deaths from cancer in South Korea

Deaths from liver cancer

South Korean male boxers

Asian Games gold medalists for South Korea

Medalists at the 1958 Asian Games

World Boxing Association champions

World Boxing Council champions

Light-middleweight boxers

World light-middleweight boxing champions

South Korean people of North Korean origin