TORONTO — Gisu Lee’s professional boxing career was dead and buried when he walked into a Toronto-area gym in search of a workout.
The former South Korean super featherweight champion had left his previous life behind in moving to Canada: The 8-4 record, the domestic title, the WBA Asian title shot. The politics.
He was taking aim at a different kind of opponent, learning English, when a chance meeting with trainer Sal Malik and Olympic bronze medallist Chris Johnson rekindled a passion that once burned bright in the native of Seoul.
Lee later trained sporadically with Malik before his visa lapsed; a few months after his return to Korea, an Instagram message from the Canadian trainer set off a chain of events that would bring him back to the great white north — and offer him another chance at professional boxing.
“They’re not empty words, when I say they gave me life,” said Lee, who returned to the ring in July with a monstrous second-round knockout of Cody Kelly. “In Korea, I never had this kind of chance — fighting in a Casino Resort, doing interviews, the opportunity to fight Mexican boxers.
“I really appreciate United Promotions giving me this opportunity.”
On October 21st, Lee will climb through the ropes in Ontario for the second time with a clear pathway to his professional boxing goals. Something he did not have in his homeland.
“I wanted the big fights, Japanese fighters, Asian titles, but my trainer only wanted me to become a coach. There was a lot of politics,” remembered Lee. “To this day, I still want to be a continental champion.”
The first step on that journey was taken in July, when the ‘Terminator’ floored Kelly twice inside two rounds; the second stands in front of him, in the wiry form of savvy Mexican Andres Sanchez.
“I know that if I want to get fights, I have to both prove and improve myself,” admitted Lee. “This is the chance to change my life, and it all started with a meeting at the gym.
“When I was in Korea, I never imagined this kind of life — I only saw it on Youtube, with world-class boxers.”
In a week’s time, however, it will be Gisu Lee striding to the ring at the Pickering Casino Resort. The crowd will buzz, the South Korean flag will be draped over his shoulders and the bright lights of Ontario’s premier boxing venue will strobe.
If he can replicate the highlight-reel knockout he scored earlier this year and string together a few quality wins, he may yet have a shot at a continental title down the line — this time on this side of the Pacific Ocean.
United Boxing Promotions presents Gisu ‘Terminator’ Lee (9-4, 2 KO) against Andres ‘Martillo’ Sanchez (6-7-3, 2 KO) in an eight-round lightweight contest on October 21st at the Pickering Casino Resort. Tickets are available now at unitedpromotions.ca.
