| |
|
WBO Exec Off to Korea Following Choi's Death
By Salven L. Lagumbay PhilBoxing.com Thu, 03 Jan 2008
WBO Asia Pacific Chairman Leon Panoncillo is leaving for South Korea to personally attend Yo-Sam Choi's burial and extend his organization's condolences for the boxer's fate.
Choi, who had been in a coma since successfully defending his WBO Intercontinental flyweight crown on December 25th in Seoul, South Korea, passed away at around midnight Wednesday after being removed from a life-support device.
"We deeply mourn his passing, and we are extending our deepest condolences to the family. This is something we don't want to happen to any boxer, but things like this happen in the sport," said Panoncillo in an interview.
The fighter was declared brain dead on Tuesday by the Seoul Asan Hospital after two examinations by a nine-member panel.
Choi (32-5, 19 KOs) was the former WBC light flyweight title holder who won the crown from Saman Sorjaturong in October 1999 and defended it four times before losing it to Jorge Arce.
Panoncillo added that more safety measures should be undertaken by boxing authorities, indicating that the boxers' safety should be the paramount consideration at any given time.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo , Sun, 08 Feb 2026Lucky "Batang Quiapo" Salvador defeats Rhaky "Roj" Constantino By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 07 Feb 2026Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara , Fri, 06 Feb 2026Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Feb 2026WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES , Fri, 06 Feb 2026Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ , Fri, 06 Feb 2026Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026“Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj , Thu, 05 Feb 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18 , Thu, 05 Feb 2026Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS) By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE , Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco , Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories , Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta , Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53 , Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7 By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|