(NOV 13) Some great news
came out this week to find out that Hyun-Mi Choi has been signed
by Matchroom Boxing. WBAN has covered Choi since she made
her pro debut in 2008, and she has an extraordinary background
in the sport and about her life.
WBC wrote, "Choi has a storyline
so compelling it will likely be made into a movie. At the
age of 13, because of her above average size and athleticism,
North Korean officials recruited Choi to train with their soon
to be Olympic Boxing Team. In 2004, her father and later her
entire family chose to flee North Korea. The oppressiveness of
the regime being the push for most defectors.
Once the family made their arduous journey thru China and
Vietnam and were permitted to relocate in Seoul, South Korea,
the 17 year-old got right back in the gym and in her first
professional fight won the WBA World Featherweight title. Choi:
“I now box to support my family. Boxing is my way to prove that
my parents made the right decision.”
In the press release from Matchroom they said the following:
Matchroom Boxing are delighted to announce the signing of
undefeated WBA Super-Featherweight World Champion Hyun-Mi Choi
on a multi-fight promotional deal. Choi (17-0-1, 4
KOs) beat China’s Chunyan Xu on her professional debut in
October 2008 to claim the vacant WBA Featherweight crown before
making seven defences of her World Title in the following five
years.
The South Korean became a
two-weight World Champion when she landed the WBA
Super-Featherweight Title against Thailand’s Siriwan Thongmanit
in May 2014, and has since made six defences of the Title, most
recently against Wakako Fujiwara in June 2019.
Choi joins a Matchroom stable that boasts WBC and IBO 130lbs
Champion Terri Harper, who puts her titles on the line against
Norway’s Katharina Thanderz in London tomorrow, and France’s
long reigning IBF ruler Maiva Hamadouche.
“I have worked hard and dedicated my life to being the best
Champion I can be,” said Choi. “I strive to improve every day
and work on my craft. I am thankful for my family, friends, and
team who have supported me on this Championship journey these
past 12 years.
“As I have grown and matured and studied our sport, I still have
a yearning desire not just to defend my Title but to achieve my
ultimate goal of unifying all of the belts. I will continue to
challenge myself, work hard and dedicate my whole being to
women’s boxing. I want to be an ambassador for women’s boxing
and continue to grow its popularity.”
“We are delighted to welcome Hyun-Mi Choi to the Matchroom
Boxing team,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “It is a wonderful time
for women’s boxing and particularly the Super-Featherweight
division as we target an Undisputed Champion in the weight
class. We look forward to seeing her defend her Title later this
year before a major unification in early 2021.”
Paco Damian, Paco Presents Boxing, said: “The entire Hyun-Mi’s
team are very proud to represent the longest reigning champion
today. Hyunmi is one of the most respectful, sweetest,
hardworking athletes I have ever known. We are also very pleased
to have teamed up with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing to be
able to give Hyunmi the fights she deserved. She will be ready
to defend her WBA World Super-Featherweight Title against an
opponent to be determined.
More Information on WBAN, go to our affilated websites!
www.womensboxing.org
www.womenboxingrecords.com
www.wban2012.com
www.wbanmember.com
www.floridaboxing.com
www.iwbhf.com
www.wban.tv
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