Byun Jung Il

When we think about the most iconic images from Olympic boxing few have ever stood the test of time as that of the Korean boxer crying in the ring after a loss at 1988 Seoul Olympics. He was there, protesting his loss that long that the venue turned out the lights. That is the ever lasting image of Korean fighter Byun Jung Il (10-2, 4), who following that event actually went on to have a short, but very notable, professional career.
 
Born in December 1966 Byun would get a reputation as a very talented young amateur. Although specifics are unclear Korean sources report that he won not only a Korean national title but also "various international competitions"* whilst fighting as a skileld southpaw. His results from the amateurs lead him to go to the Olympics, in his home town of Seoul in 1988.
 
In his first bout at the Olympics Byun would defeat Frenchman Jean-Marc Augustin in a Bantamweight bout. In his second bout at the Olympics Byun would face off with Bulgarian foe Alexander Hristov. The bout saw Byun being twice be deducted a point by referee Keith Waker, for use of the head, and eventually losing the bout 4-1. This result angered not only Byun but also the Korean officials, who stormed the ring and assaulted the referee in some of the most disgusting scenes seen in Olympic boxing history. They began a riot of sorts whilst Byun began a sit in protest.

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The protest of Byun's would be when the iconic image of him in the ring was captured and would continue to protest for over an hour before leaving the ring. Walker would return home, rather than officiating any more bouts at the Olympics, and bouts were delayed by the protest, which had a knock on effect with the tournament.
 
We won't go into too much detail on the Olympics here, but the result of Byung's was one of many controversial decisions in the Olympics as the Korean team had been out for revenge following the 1984 Olympics, where American fighters were seen to have had some very fortunate officiating in their favour. Another controversy at this Olympics was Roy Jones Jr. losing in the Light Middleweight final to Park Si-Hun, despite dominating the bout.
 
The incidents soured international relationships between South Korea and the US, with diplomacy between the two being tense at the time anyway.
 
Byun would signed promotional contract the following year before beginning his professional career in 1990. 
 
On his debut, an 8 rounder, Byun defeated Filipino Noel Cornelio in Suwon in February 1990. Byun was disappointingly inactive, with his second professional bout coming 9 months later as he scored his first stoppage, defeating tough Filipino Eddie Torres in 9 rounds. Notably this was the sole stoppage loss of Torres' career.
 
In 1991 Byun managed to fit 3 bouts in. The first was a KO win over the very poor Rey Parreno, that was followed with 10 round decision wins over David Merchant, from Venezuela, and William Ramos, from Puerto Rico.
 
To begin 1992 Byun would stop teak tough Indonesian Tarman Garzim in 9 rounds, giving Garzim his only stoppage loss. Although not a notable name Garzim would go the distance with future world champion Muanghcai Kittikasem, Chatchai Sasakul and Pitchit Sithbanprachan as well as future world title challenger Boy Aruan, who lost in a world title fight to Hiroshi Kawashima. Byun would build on his win over Garzim with a 10 round decision win over Filipino Rey Paciones, in what was a huge step up in class for the Korea. Paciones managed to be competitive, losing a clear yet competitive decision.
 
The win over Pacinones was followed by a short break before Byun stopped Thai Suksawat Torboonlert in early 1993. This win saw the Korean extending his record to 8-0 (4) and getting a shot at WBC Bantamweight champion Victor Rabanales, then 36-10-2 (19). Rabanales had won the interim title in March 1992, beating Yong Hoon Lee and became the full champion in September 1992, when he beat Joichiro Tatsuyoshi. Despite the huge gulf in experience Byun would manage to take a clear decision win over the Mexican veteran to become the champion in just his 9th bout.
 
In his first defense Byun took on Mexican challenger Josefino Suarez, who had previously won the WBC Continental Super Flyweight title. Suarez was widely out pointed by the champion, who won by 16 points on card, and 14 on another in a truly 1-sided bout. From the 3 judges, only 1 managed to give a round to Suarez.
 
Sadly for Byun his reign would end in his second defense, as he travelled to Japan and battled against the teak tough Yasuei Yakushiji, who was tough and had a great engine. Byun would travel to Nagoya to take on Yakushiji. The bout was hotly contested, really an exciting fight with both men fighting at a high tempo and leading clean shots. At the end of 12 rounds Yakushiji, would take a narrow split decision. Due to the razor thin nature of the bout, that many observers felt Byun deserved to win, there was a rematch in 1994. This time things weren't competitive, in the slightest, with Yakushiji dominating much of the bout before score a stoppage in the 11th round. The stoppage came after Byun was dropped for the second time in the round and his corner saved him from further punishment. This was to be his final bout before retiring from professional boxing, though he would later become a successful businessman away from the ring.
 
Following the second loss to Yakushiji reports emerged from Korea that Byun had had issues with his promoter and also struggled to train properly due to military service. Those issues, as well as the back to back losses, seemed to kill his desire to fight again.
 
After his career was over he helped to develop several female fighters, including Ju Hee Kim. 
 
Interestingly there are some reports from Korea that Byun had issues with TV broadcasters early in his career, due to the events of the 1988 Olympics. Korean media also explained that Byun, at one point in his career, tried to commit suicide by leaping off the 8th floor ledge of a building. It wasn't until he thought of his mother that he changed his mind. Interestingly he also appears to have been involved in an out of the ring incident that involved him help his friend during a street fight, and being injured, though it's not totally clear what happened here.
 
*This comes from The Korean Boxing Federation, though they don't specify what competitions.

(Image courtesy of the KBF)