https://imgur.com/gallery/e68bfll This was tough to watch, and even tougher to write about. RIP Duk, wish Ray all the best.
This was such a tough tough absolutley brutal warfare. Some really old old fashioned punches thrown by Mancini around the heart. The kind you read about used by turn of the century and earlier fighters. Mesmerizing fight from my standpoint. Tragic but befor we knew that it was just an edge of your seat war.
Tremendous writing on a hard subject. Much respect for the class and thoughtfulness which you put into the writing for this one.
On Imgur it is one of my highest scoring posts. I'm not suprised the hardcore fans here don't really want to talk about it. It makes us question why we love this crazy sport so much. Hopefully any readers will take the time to think exactly what these men risk for our entertainment. it's not really a thread that will draw the name calling and arguement crowd. The hardcore fans above all else would not want to talk about because we are essentially complicit in it. The same way Ray was complicit in it. We don't want to talk about it for the same reasons Ray Mancini doesn't.
You know I'm really suprised this hasn't gotten more attention like we both alluded too. I know this fight had a tragic ending. From just a fight standpoint for the boxing fan you couldn't ask for anything more. This was a throwback to the days of turn of the century in my book. Anyone who gives Mancini #### and theres alot of them I guess havent seen this fight. This fight took so much out of him physically as and of course mentally. I'm sure it took a couple yrs off his prime. Had this fight not happened he beats Bramble. But I'm getting sidetracked. This fight was just pure warfare and I never understood why it's not given its proper place. Yes I'm not discounting a man died. That's the chance even guys like us in my case used to take just sparring more accomplished guys in the gym!! This fight is every bit as good as Gomez Pintor and the likes in my book. Well not trying to sound heartless or anything and I dont think I am but it's how I feel.
That's true. But what I'm saying is in my opinion it belongs up there with the likes of Gomez Pintor Arguello Pryor 1 ect.
The fight itself was a war a great one at that the ending was tragic as I feel the fight represented the spirit of the Korean people which they sorely needed post Korean War....I remember thinking who the hell is this Kim guy he is one tough SOB what a warrior I had not seen a fighter stand up to Mancini's strength like that. Kim would have been tough for any of the top lightweights and had he survived and came back he would be spoken of like the top contenders of the era possibly a champion. The fight was tragic and to make it worse was the impact it had on not only Mancini but boxing as a whole......it was clear to us that followed the era and watched Mancini he left something with Kim after his death his spirit just wasn't the same his loss to Bramble was a combination of Dave Wolf not considering styles and body types, Bramble was a tough fit guy and Mancini just missing that will to win at all costs he had going into the Kim fight. This story and Kim's death was finally the story needed to grip the public enough to force some change for safer fights.....at least the intent was there. The 80's were pivotal for boxing Following this fight the discussion to reduce the championship distance to 12 rounds like the lesser title fights were doing....and the ball was rolling SRL detached retina led to thumbless gloves that reduces being able to make as tight of a fist reducing punching power The standing 8 count was being looked at for safety reasons since it just extended punishment while the referee assessed the hurt fighter finally being eliminate in the 90's in the U.S. while the mandatory 8 count continues
I saw that fight. It was one of the worst things I saw in 1982.. I was 17 and I think it was near the Arguello/Pryor fight like weeks apart, if not even closer. Duk Koo Kim fought like a warrior. He gave so much of himself. A lot of heart. So sad.
