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Duk Koo Kim

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Boxer

The Resume

    (January 8, 1959-November 17, 1982)
    Born in Banamri, Korea (South)
    Pro record: 17-2-1 (8 wins by KO)
    Lost a WBA Lightweight title bout at Caesar's Palace to Boom Boom Mancini by TKO in the 14th round
    Minutes after the fight was stopped, collapsed into a coma and died four days later
    Subject of the Korean film 'Champion' (2002)

Why he might be annoying:

    Before the final bout, he wrote the message 'live or die' on the lampshade in his hotel room.
    Several reports mistranslated the phrase to the creepier 'kill or be killed.'
    He also had a mini-coffin brought to his hotel room.
    Three months after his death, his mother killed herself by drinking pesticide.
    Referee Richard Green, who reportedly blamed himself for Kim's death, also committed suicide (July 1, 1983).

Why he might not be annoying:

    His father died when he was two.
    He said of growing up poor, 'My childhood dream was having a bowl of hot rice.'
    After his death, title fights were shortened from 15 to 12 rounds.
    His kidneys were donated for transplant.
    He left behind a pregnant fiance, who gave birth to their son eight months later.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 8 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 6 Votes: 16.67% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 14 Votes: 64.29% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 15 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 71 Votes: 63.38% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 189 Votes: 36.51% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 10 Votes: 20.0% Annoying