Tae Shik Kim

When we think of the prime time of Korean boxing we typically think about the domination of the Light Flyweight division by Jung Koo Chang and Myung Woo Yuh through the mid 1980's and earlier 1990's. It is however worth nothing that Korea had numerous other great fighters in the 1980's, many of whom have often been overlooked and under-appreciated, especially by Western fans. One of those great fighters was Tae Shik Kim (17-3, 13), who was dubbed "Stone Fist" for his brutal power. He would be one of the big stars of the Korean scene in the early 1980's, despite only having a short career.
 
Kim apparently had no amateur experience prior to making his professional debut in September 1977, as a 20 year old. His career didn't get off to a great start as he was knocked out, in 3 rounds, on debut by Kee-Bong Koh. Amazingly Koh has no other recorded bouts, so his only bout saw him knocking out a future world champion.

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Despite the early loss Kim would get his career back on the right track relatively quickly, scoring his first win only weeks later, taking a decision over Kap-Chi Shin. That win was followed by 3 more wins in quick succession, in fact 3 wins in 8 days, as Kim raced off to 4-1 (1) record by the end of 1977. Kim's power began to show in 1978, when he scored 4 stoppages in a combined 8 rounds, with his left hook in particular being devastating. During that year he would become the first, and only fighter to stop Japan's teak tough Nobuyuki Watanabe, who would finish his career with a record of 15-10-3 (10).
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Kim's KO run would continue right through 1979, with 4 more knockouts. These included a 5th round win over future world title challenger Tito Abella, who would go on to challenge Yoko Gushiken 9 months later, and a 4th round KO against Chikara Igarashi, who had challenged the then WBC Flyweight champion Chan Hee Park just 6 months earlier. The win over Igarashi was dominant, destructive and a showcase of Kim's power, aggression and brutal offense. He looked defensively limited, but simply over powered and broke down the Japanese visitor.
 
Having built from his 0-1 start to 12-1 (10) Kim got his first world title fight, taking on the then WBA Flyweight champion Luis Ibara. Coming into this Kim had scored 9 straight stoppage wins and he had grown to truly believe in his power. It seemed like he though his aggression was the solution to any opponent and no one could stand up to him, and his vaunted left hook. His belief in his power proved to be right and he would drop Ibarra midway through round 2. His pressure continued and Ibarra would go down again, this time being counted out.
 
Kim, who was hugely popular before stopping Ibarra, had become one of the biggest sport stars in Korea and was a must watch attraction. He has also ensured that Korean fighters were holding both of the Flyweight titles, along with the WBC champion Chan Hee Park.
 
Just 4 months after winning the title Kim would record his first defense, taking a decision over tough Filipino Arnel Arrozal, who had also given Park a tough bout. The fight saw Kim's stoppage run come to an end, at 10 bouts, but by then his fame in Korea was huge. Notably this bout also saw Kim suffer a notable injury, reportedly a broken jaw.
 
Kim's second defense, almost 6 months after the Arrozal bout, would see him travel to Los Angeles in December 1980 to face off with South African challenger Peter Mathebula. The South African would beat Kim by split decision, becoming only the 4th South African world champion, and from then on Kim would never quite be the same. 
 
On his ring return, following his title loss, Kim would stop Filipino Henry Balina in 2 rounds. Sadly though he would suffer his third defeat in his very next bout, being taken out in 2 rounds by WBC champion Antonio Avelar, in what was an all out war as Kim attempted to become a 2-time champion. The ending to this one was weird with Kim turning his back and walking away before being clocked and left on the canvas in what looked a pretty bad way if we're being honest.
 
With his sense of invincibility now well and truly gone the end seemed near for Kim, who would fight again 6 months later and stop Japanese journeyman Kazuyoshi Funaki in 5 rounds. That win was followed by a split decision victory over Mexican fighter Roberto Ramirez. Despite beating Ramirez Kim would sadly suffer a brain bleed and be forced to retire after surgery for the injury.
 
Following his retirement Kim got involved in business, with some sources reporting he was involved in being a lumberjack, though it's not totally clear what business he did actually run.
 
Kim's career was incredibly short, and consisted of just 20 fights, with only 4 world title bouts, over the space of 6 years, but his impact was huge on Korean boxing and his success certainly helped keep the interest in Korean boxing before the likes of Chang and Yuh began their dominance not long afterwards.