Two nights ago in South Korea, a legend, a true friend, and one of boxing’s greatest supporters, David Chung, who was a well-respected World Boxing Council referee and Boxing Judge, passed away unexpectedly from an apparent heart attack just two days before his 58th Birthday. During my one year tour of duty in Seoul, South Korea in 2002, David was my liaison into Korean Boxing. He became much more than a liaison, but a cherished friend of mine and Ed “The Eye” Torregano, who was my photographer during this time. Both Ed and I are deeply hurt by the loss of our friend. It was David who introduced us to In Jin Chi, the current WBC Featherweight Champion of the World. Along with Chi, Chung introduced us to countless other Korean boxers plying their trade with a fervor that matches any of our great American contenders.
As I write this article, sadness is deep in my heart and a flood of memories from an incredible year in Korean Boxing that Ed and I were honored to cover comes to mind. Those memories culminated with the accolades that David had the Korean Boxing Commission (KBC) bestow upon both Ed and I for covering the Korean boxing scene and shooting our reports with pictures back to the United States, and are even more poignant now because of the sudden and unexpected death of David.
David would pick us up for the fights outside of Gate III on Yongsan Army Garrison in Seoul, South Korea and in his CD player; he would always be playing his favorite song by Cher called Believe. David truly did believe in Ed, me and always in boxing. He loved his family, loved boxing and has left a long lasting impression forever on the entire sport. The world is a sadder place today, but the world of boxing is brighter to have had David Chung in it. Rest in Peace my friend.
As a tribute to David, I am going to re-release my interview I did with him for my boxing book, Boxing Interviews of a Lifetime. This interview was conducted in May 2002 and is copyrighted.
Making A Difference… Up Close and Personal with World Boxing Council (WBC) Boxing Judge and Referee David Chung By “Bad” Brad Berkwitt
“David Chung is one of the WBC’s most distinguished and preferred ring officials because of his competency, his impartiality and his sense of responsibility, as well as his participation through the years, in all the congresses, clinics and training programs for ring officials of the WBC.
He is one of the leading ring officials of the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF). I respect him as a gentleman, a man of integrity, a man of service and, a very good friend. I am proud of our friendship.” —–Jose Sulaiman World Boxing Council President (WBC)
In boxing, I have had the opportunity to meet some incredible people who have made great strides in their areas of the sport. Well, one such person is World Boxing Council (WBC) boxing judge and referee, David Chung of Seoul, Korea. Upon my arrival to Seoul, Korea for my one year tour of duty with the Navy, I was introduced to Mr. Chung, who would be my liaison into Korean boxing, while stationed here.
Chung has been more than a liaison, but a teacher, and more importantly, a friend who I truly respect. Chung brings to the sport of boxing, over 35 years of experience.
As a young man, Chung fought as an amateur while serving in the Korean Army around 1963. During this time, he had over 100 fights, winning many military belts to include a Silver Medal in the Military games. Chung stopped boxing in 1970 but continued to be involved in several facets of the sport.
He has been with the World Boxing Council (WBC) since the early 1980’s as a boxing judge and referee. During that time, he has earned the respect of his colleagues, boxing media and now this writer, for the professional manner in which he carries out his duties at the fights.
BB: When did you first become involved in boxing?
I thought that boxing was a very competitive one-on-one sport that made a man out of a young boy. I had many friends who encouraged me to box. With their encouragement, I began boxing as hobby back in 1963. Once I got up to speed in the sport, I started competing as an amateur boxer.
BB: What led you to become a boxing judge and a referee?
After I stopped boxing, I wanted to continue my friendships in boxing and build new ones. With that said, I stayed in the sport on many different levels.
BB: For the readers, explain the criteria you are looking for when judging a fight?
My judging criteria is based on the cleaner punches, power shots and overall ring generalship as the main factors.
BB: Have you ever had the decision for a fighter, and when the cards were announced, you were surprised that the other two judges had the fight scored completely different from how you saw it?
Brad, on three occasions I was surprised by the outcome of my fellow judges. This is not a bad thing because each judge sees the fight from a different angle and it is quite possible to see a different version of a boxing match.
BB: What was the first championship fight that you judged?
The first fight I judged was the WBC Flyweight Championship held in Kuwait, back in 1986 between Sot Chitalada of Thailand and Freddie Castillo of Mexico.
BB: What was the first championship fight you ever refereed?
The first fight I refereed was an IBF title match in Seoul, Korea back in 1983 between Kwan Soon-Chun and Rena Busa-Young. I don’t remember if it was a vacant title or who the champion was at the time.
BB: Which do you enjoy more, being a referee or judge, and why?
I prefer being a referee because I am right in the middle of the action and, I love the exercise you can get if you go the full ten rounds.
BB: Do you think the referee should be involved with scoring a fight like it used to be?
No, the referee should be concerned about the operation of the boxing match only and save the scoring for the judges
BB: Who are your three favorite fighters of all-time and why?
First Muhammad Ali. Second, Julio Cesar Chavez. Finally, Oscar De La Hoya. Each one of these fighters were great technicians in the ring and added a legacy to the sport that will carry on for many years.
BB: What is the greatest fight you have ever seen and why?
Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Tommy Hearns I. In this fight, you had a tremendous boxer vs. a heavy hitting puncher. It lived up to every bit of hype and gave the boxing fans a fight memory that will last a lifetime.
BB: Do you favor a mandatory retirement fund for all boxers and if so, how would you like to see it accomplished?
Yes, but I really don’t know how to set it up. It is needed for all boxers and I would like to see the proposals to create one throughout boxing.
BB: What are you words of wisdom to the young man or woman who wants to become a boxing judge or referee?
If you want to be a judge or referee in the sport of boxing , you should always study boxing matches thoroughly which will give you great insight into the sport. From there, work at the bottom level which will give you experience to move up. Finally, always have perseverance because without that, you cannot succeed.
BB: What are the differences that you see from boxing in Korea vs. the United States?
I really don’t think there is any difference between the two.
BB: When you finally hang up your judging pen and boxing shoes, how you would you like to remembered within the boxing world?
I want to be remembered as fair referee and judge who was respected by the Korean boxing community.
BB: Finally, what is the saying you live your life by?
“Throughout life, you must have diligence and integrity to truly succeed.”
As always fight fans, keep reaching for the stars, and all your dreams can be fulfilled.
