On November 13, 1982, lightweight champion Ray Boom Boom Mancini met Duk Koo Kim at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, NV. It changed Mancini’s career and boxing world forever.
Champion: Ray Mancini
Raymond Michael Mancini (1961) is a former popular boxer from the Youngstown, Ohio. His nickname “Boom Boom” came from his father, Lennie “Boom Boom” Mancini, veteran boxer. Lenny inspired Ray to develop his boxing skills at young age. After impressive amateur career, he turned pro in 1978. He became world lightweight champion by 1st round knockout vs Arturo Frias on May 8, 1982 in Las Vegas. The highlight of Manicini’s Career.
Watch the Video of Ray Mancini vs Arturo Frias
Challenger: Duk Koo Kim
Duk Koo Kim’s age is controversial. His WBA record indicates that he was 23-years-old (January 8, 1959) at the time but actual birth date is August 10, 1956. Kim lost his father at the age 2. Kim began boxing to escape poverty. Boxing was his one-way ticket to fame and fortune. He won 12 straight fight and assigned by the WBA as the world’s number 1 challenger to Ray Mancini. It was his first fight outside of Asia. His purse for the fight was only $20,000.
Before the Fight
Kim struggled to meet the Lightweight’s 135 pound limit and had to sweat off excess weight before the game. Kim was huge underdog against star Ray Mancini. Many predicted Kim would not last more than 3 rounds.
The Tragedy Fight
Against all odds, the fight turned out to be an actioned packed fight. Kim proving that he was a worthy challenger. They went toe to toe until 11th round. Mancini tool control of the game starting 12th round. In the 14th round, Mancini’s straight right knock Kim flat on his back. Kim struggled to get up and later collapsed moments after the fight in his corner. Kim sustained brain damages and slipped into coma that led to his death five days later at Desert Springs Hospital.
Watch the video Mancini vs Kim
The Aftermath
- Kim’s mother committed suicide four months after the fight.
- Referee for the fight, Richard Greene also committed suicide in 1983.
- Kim’s pregnant girlfriend changed her name and living in undisclosed location.
- Word boxing organizations began operating 12-round championship bouts instead of 15
- Some state adopted the standing eight count and the referee giving the mandatory eight count.
- Mancini went to the funeral in South Korea, but he fell into a deep depression afterwards. Mancini struggled with Kim’s death and he was not the Ray Mancini that attracted fans. He lost his title to Livingstone Bramble in 1984 and retired early from boxing to pursue acting career in Hollywood.
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