January 18th

1987-Seung Hoon Lee vs Prayurasak Muangsurin
In the past the IBF was a controversial organisation, it wasn't recognised in Japan where they actually had IBF Japan as a rival to the JBC and in Korea it was essentially abandoned in the late 1980's. One fighter to be effected by Korea's decision to stop staging IBF title fights was Seung Hoon Lee.
 
On this day in 1987 Lee won the IBF Super Bantamweight title by defeating Thailand's Prayurasak Muangsurin for the vacant title, after having fallen short in 3 prior title shots. He would beat Muangsurin with a 9th round TKO, in what was the Thai's second world title shot. 
 
As a champion Lee would make 3 defenses before vacating the title. He would go on to challenger for the WBC title in 1988, but end up fighting to a draw against Daniel Zaragoza. He would have his final bout in 1989 before retiring with a record of 45-6-1 (25). Muangsurin on the other hand would fight for the final time at the end of 1987, before retiring himself with a record of 21-7 (14).
 
1956-Flash Elorde vs Sandy Saddler II
In the summer of 1955 Filipino legend Flash Elorde defeated American Sandy Saddler. Early the following year the two men had a rematch, this time with Sadly risking the Featherweight world title. Unfortunately for Elorde this was a case of repeat, and not revenge, with Saddler defending the title due to a 13th round TKO, from cuts.
 
Despite the loss Elorde would remain a notable contender and in 1960 he defeated Harold Gomes in 7 rounds to become the Super Featherweight world champion. He would hold that title until 1967. He would also go on to hold the OPBF Lightweight title and fight all the way through to 1971, having debuted in 1951.
 
During his career Elorde would go 89-27-2 (33), he would become a legendary name in Filipino boxing with his grandchildren, Juan Martin and Juan Miguel, now fighters themselves. Sadly however Elorde passed away in 1985, from cancer, before he could be inducted into the IBHOF. Saddler on the other hand would fight just twice more, going 1-1 following this bout with Elorde, before retiring due to a freak injury with an incredible record of 145-16-2 (104). He would live to the age of 75, passing away in 2001 following multiple health issues.
 
1955-Sang Hyun Kim's Birthday
Korean fighter Sang Hyun Kim was born on this day back in 1955, and he was one of the many fighters from Korea who made their name in the 1970's and 80's. 
 
Kim would become the WBC Light Welterweight champion in 1978, defeating Saensak Munagsurin for the title, and he would go on to make 2 defenses before losing the belt to Saoul Mamby in 1980.
 
Kim would continue to fight until 1983, losing in an attempt to become a 2-time world champion as he was taken out by Aaron Pryor in 3 rounds. He retired after that loss with a record of 41-4-3 (24). During his career he was not only a world champion but also a 2-time OPBF champion and one of the many Korean fighters to prove himself at world level.