Chi retires as titlist to go to K1

[Illmatic]

But on this Friday afternoon, the gym didn’t have the energy one would expect from the training site of world champions, past and present. There were three boxers ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) putting on their gear near the ring in the corner and preparing to jump rope at the front of the gym. There was no music in the gym other than the ring of the bell mixed with the roar of rush hour traffic outside. With these sounds buzzing in my head, I felt this gym was enduring a hangover from losing their champion.

So, the inevitable question was asked. Why did Chi quit boxing?

“These days in Korea, there is no boxing promoter. Boxing isn’t popular. Now K-1 fighting is becoming popular. Chi was finding it hard to find fights,” Kim says.

But if he couldn’t find a promoter in Korea, why didn’t he go to America? He is a fighter with name recognition in America because of his war with Eric Morales. He was all set to face Oscar Larios on HBO’s Boxing After Dark back in May. He had a mandatory against Jorges Linares all lined up. He almost had a fight with Manny Pacquiao set to go in China. Why couldn’t he go to America, or somewhere else, and let an American promoter take care of it?

“His hands hurt so he couldn’t go to America. He hurt both his left and right hands, so he couldn’t fight. The fight in May had to be called off. And the fight with Pacquiao in Macau was called off, too. He just couldn’t get a fight.”

So he gave up his title just like that. He couldn’t find a way to fight because fights were either called off or he was injured, so he closed up shop ([Only registered and activated users can see links]).

[BoppaZoo]

im a big Injin Chi fan. this is shit. now im pissed.

i will miss Chi because he was exciting and bought a different vibe to the featherweight division.
dont ask me why i liked him so much but i think it was after seeing in the Morales fight were he wasnt as skillful but still gave it everything.

i will miss him.

[boxbox]

so thats why ALLBLACK's been hiding...or laying low:yep

[knockout]

Hard to find a fight my ass he had the chance to fight Linares,Chi just scared.

[Betty Swollocks]

I was in that gym back in November and met the trainer. I went to the Chi-Lopez fight too where he won the belt. There's just no interest in boxing in Korea, but lots of K1 and Pride and shit on TV.
Chi travelled to England twice to fight Brodie...I guess he went by boat. He's simply doing this for the money as he never got paid what he deserved

[brooklyn1550]

He was an exciting fighter...too bad

[BigEars]

Hmmm I'm sure a British promoter would have loved to take on Chi and would have been able to get him fights , but he's gone now and all the best to him .

His first fight with Brodie was a classic(the second wasn't bad either) and I think British boxing fans warmed to Chi from those fights .

Even Chi's first defense of his title , which was in a small hotel in South Korea(less than 2,000 fans I'd say) was shown on Sky Sports in the UK because they had been so impressed with his fights against Brodie .

There is no way Chi did this to 'duck' Linares , the man is fearless .

[Morrissey]

If the reason was his hurting hands, he might as well retire and just leave K1 as well.

The potential fighst were all there: Pacquaio, Lineares, Larios. Don't tell me he won't get any money in those fights; with Pac, he could have gotten his biggest payday like Larios experienced.

This is sad indeed. Chi is a warrior.

[koko of phil]

Chi is really a warrior. His fight with Erik made me realize Morales is beatable. I hope he don't retire.

[buddynabuick]

I love K-1 but all they ever show is old re-runs. WTF?

[achillesthegreat]

Chi fought for something like ten grand in his last fight and that had to feed his family for 6 or 8 months. Chi suffers in the ring and only to earn the same as an average joe!

Chi fucked up. He probably should have gone to America and signed with GBP and fought continously with the top 126 and 130.