[Crimson]

Thursday, September 24th, 1992
Cirkus; Kemerovo, Russia

Yuri Arbachakov 14-0 (11) Russia WBA
vs.
Yun-Un Chin 27-0-2 (18) Korea WBC

Yuri Arbachakov would be making his 1st defense of the WBA title and attempt to obtain Yun-Un Chin’s, recently won WBC belt in his birth city of Kemerovo, Russia. This would also be Arbachakov’s 1st professional fight in his native country. Kemerovo has a population of roughly 520,000 and Arbachakov is a beloved hero there.

Odds on the fight were dead even. Chin has never tasted defeat, but neither has Arbachakov. Both fighters are well known for coming into fights in peak condition and having unlimited stamina. There was some concern expressed by reporters that Arbachakov may have peaked early in his training, due to overtraining.

Showing respect for Chin’s vaunted power, Arbachakov initially boxed smartly from the outside. This tactic proved to be very efficient for the first 2 rounds, as Chin had much difficulty landing any punches of consequence and was repeatedly hit by the much faster Russian.

In the 3rd Chin began to find the range for his punches and landed several blows of consequence. By the rounds end Arbachakov’s left eye had begun to swell quickly (8). Chin began to land his right hand with regularity, as Arbachakov was clearly having a difficult time seeing. Arbachakov blasted Chin throughout the 5th round, causing Kim to cover up in attempt to avoid further punishment.

Arbachakov rushed out of his corner to start the 6th, wishing to continue where he had left off in the 5th. Chin met him with some tremendous power punches and Arbachakov replied in kind! It was a crowd pleasing round of rip roaring action! Kim’s left eye was now starting to puff up (2).

Arbachakov attempted to follow the instructions of his trainer, Alexander Zimin, and box conservatively from the outside. However, less than a minute into the round and he was once again exchanging punches with Chin in an exciting slugfest that had the fans on their feet. It was difficult to tell how much off the Russian’s strategy to participate in a slugfest was influenced by wanting to impress and please his home country fans, or if he was slugging because Chin was giving him no other choice.

Both fighters faces were bruised and battered when they came out for the 8th round, showing the effects of the war taking place within the 4 ropes. Chin’s left eye (5) continued to swell. For Arbachakov, not only was his left eye ½ closed (10), but his right eye was in the process of doing the same (5)! Arbachakov’s breathing was forced and labored, supporting the reporters who claimed he had over trained for this fight and was not in his normal peak condition. Arbachakov was only 109 pounds at the weigh in. Only 1 pound above the Light Fly Weight limit! Ringside Expert, Ian Lord, had it 67-67 after 7 rounds off fierce action.

Believing he had the Russian Champion hurt and could finish him, Chin came out for the 8th looking to score a clean KO. Arbachakov had plans of his own though to do the same! Almost every punch thrown by Chin was landing, as Arbachakov was having so much difficulty now with his eye sight. The only punches not landing were the ones blocked by Arbachakov’s gloves. The Russian was also now missing many more punches than he had been earlier in the fight. It appeared that the end of the fight for Arbachakov might not be far away. Perhaps sensing that, the WBC title holder upped his attack and landed several boot knocking right and left hands, sending Chin into the ropes!

The 9th was a tremendous action round! Arbachakov had trouble landing his punches early and was hit by counter punches in return. Both of his eyes continued to swell (left 12 and right 7). With a minute to go in the round a left hook sent a stream of blood dripping down the face of Chin, from a bad cut under his right eye! His left eye was now nearly half closed (8).

Both fighters came out for the 10th, dead tired and looking to end the fight that round. The Russian crowd was on their feet screaming for Arbachakov to knock Chin out. The two gladiators took turns blasting one another with power punches during the round. It appeared that the winner would be determined possibly by “who just wants it more?”

A Chin shot to the body hurt Arbachakov early in the 11th. Every punch thrown by Chin had bad intentions and seemingly could not miss! While the punches of Arbachakov, were also thrown with equally bad intentions, they landed on the arms of the Korean fighter, or missed altogether. When the bell rang to end the round the two fighters just stood and stared at one another, neither willing to move and allow the other to pass to his corner. Neither moved until the referee, Vince Delgado, stepped between the fighters and broke up the impasse.

Going into the 12th and final round Ringside Expert, Ian Lord, had it 107-103 Yun-Un Chin. With 1:40 to go in the fight, Arbachakov walked right into a left hook and after stumbling to the side he fell to the canvas! Although obviously badly hurt, Arbachakov was up at 5. Chin jumped on him immediately with a fusillade of punches. By the rounds end, Arbachakov had recovered and was hitting Chin with decent punches. At the ringing of the final bell the crowd was on their feet cheering both fighters for the absolute war they had allowed them to witness. Chin’s left eye was ½ closed, but his cut was no longer bleeding. Arbachakov’s entire face was a swollen mass of flesh (left eye 12 and right eye 7)! All 3 judges had the fight 116-111 for the new WBA Champion and still WBC Champion…..YUN-UN CHIN!

Yun-Un Chin Wu12 Yuri Arbachakov (wins WBA and defends WBC titles)