Champion (2002 Film)

Champion (Korean: 챔피언; RR: Chaempieon) is a 2002 South Korean biographical drama film directed by Kwak Kyung-Taek. The film chronicles the life of South Korean professional boxer Kim Deuk-gu, focusing on his rise in the sport and his tragic final match against Ray Mancini.

Poster for the film Champion — Promotional poster for the 2002 film Champion.

Plot

The narrative follows Kim Deuk-gu (portrayed by Yu Oh-Seong), who leaves his impoverished home to seek a better life in Seoul. His interest in professional boxing is sparked after encountering a promotional poster for a match. Through perseverance, he eventually secures the Asia-Pacific Championship title.

Kim's career leads him to a high-profile world title bout against the reigning champion, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini. The film depicts his journey to Las Vegas, where he promises his fiancée that he will return as a world champion. On November 14, 1982, Kim faces Mancini in the ring. Despite a display of significant physical endurance and determination, the match ends in tragedy when Kim collapses in the 14th round and subsequently falls into a coma.

Cast

Yu Oh-Seong as Kim Deuk-gu
Chae Min-Seo as Lee Kyeong-Mi
Yun Seung-Won as Kim Hyeon-Ji
Jung Doo-Hong as Lee Sang-Bok
Byeong-seo Kim as Park Jong-Pal
Ji Dae-Han as Hwang Jun-Seok