Kim Ki-soo (Korean: 김기수; Hanja: 金基洙; RR: Gim Gi-su; MR: Kim Kisu; September 17, 1939 – June 10, 1997) was a South Korean former professional boxer who competed from 1961 to 1969. He was South Korea's first world boxing champion, having held the undisputed WBA and WBC super-welterweight titles from 1966 to 1968.^[1]

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Kim Ki-soo
Kim Ki-soo c. 1968
Born	Kim Ki-soo (1939-09-17)September 17, 1939 Hokusei, Korea, Empire of Japan (nowadays Pukchong, North Korea)
Died	10 June 1997(1997-06-10) (aged 57) Seoul, South Korea
Nationality	South Korean
Statistics
Weight(s)	Light-middleweight Middleweight
Height	5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach	69+1⁄2 in (177 cm)
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	37
Wins	33
Wins by KO	17
Losses	2
Draws	2
Medal record Representing  South Korea Asian Games Tokyo 1958 Welterweight

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Kim graduated from Kyung Hee University's College of Physical Education.^[1] He competed in boxing at the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, where he earned the gold medal of the welterweight division by defeating Soren Pirjanian of Iran, on points, in the final.^[2] He went on to represent South Korea as a welterweight at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, where he defeated Henry Perry (Ireland) on points, but then lost to Nino Benvenuti (Italy) on points.^[3]

Kim turned professional in 1961 and captured the WBC, WBA and Lineal light middleweight title when he upset Nino Benvenuti by split decision in 1966.^[4] He defended the belt twice before losing it to Sandro Mazzinghi in 1968 by split decision. He retired the following year.^[5]

After his retirement, Kim worked as a boxing coach. He later started his own company, and was successful in business. He died of liver cancer on 10 June 1997, at the age of 57. He was survived by his wife Jeong Ha-ja (鄭夏子), two sons, and two daughters.^[1]

• List of world light-middleweight boxing champions