Matchroom Boxing has confirmed the signing of undefeated WBA super-featherweight champion Hyun-Mi Choi to a multi-fight promotional contract.
Choi (17-0-1, 4 KOs) debuted in October 2008 and became a world champion on the very same night, when she scored a 10-round unanimous decision over China's Chunyan Xu in Jinan Gun.
The South Korean, who was born in North Korea but switched nationalities in 2004, made seven title defenses over the next five years before becoming a two-weight world champ in May 2014 after she defeated Japan's Chika Mizutani for the interim WBA super-featherweight title. She was later recognized as full champion.
She defended that belt seven times since, starting with a May 2014 success over Thailand's Siriwan Thongmanit and, most recently, conquering Wakako Fujiwara of Japan in June 2019.
Choi will no doubt have a particularly keen eye on new stablemate and WBC titleholder Terri Harper when she defends the title against Katharina Thanderz on Saturday at the SSE Arena, Wembley, as part of a history-making triple-header of women's world title fights on the same bill.
Also under contract to Eddie Hearn is France’s long-reigning IBF champion in the division, Maiva Hamadouche.
“I have worked hard and dedicated my life to being the best Champion I can be,” said Choi. “I strive to improve every day and work on my craft. I am thankful for my family, friends, and team who have supported me on this championship journey these past 12 years. As I have grown and matured and studied our sport, I still have a yearning desire not just to defend my title but to achieve my ultimate goal of unifying all of the belts.
"I will continue to challenge myself, work hard and dedicate my whole being to women’s boxing. I want to be an ambassador for women’s boxing and continue to grow its popularity.”
Hearn admitted that the plan was to work towards a unification fight in 2021 at 130 pounds.
"We are delighted to welcome Hyun-Mi Choi to the Matchroom Boxing team," he said. "It is a wonderful time for women’s boxing and particularly the Super Featherweight division as we target an undisputed champion in the weight class.
"We look forward to seeing her defend her title later this year before a major unification in early 2021."
Hearn has a handful of cards yet to come in 2020, including the show headlined by Conor Benn vs. Sebastian Formella on Nov. 21, and Billy Joe Saunders vs. Martin Murray for the former's WBO super-middleweight title on Dec. 4.
Both of those events will also be staged at the SSE and will be screened live on Sky Sports in the U.K. and on DAZN in all nine DAZN markets including the U.S.
In addition, Anthony Joshua defends the WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles against Kubrat Pulev on Dec. 12, with undercard slots still open there.
Paco Damian of Paco Presents Boxing added: “The entire Hyun-Mi’s team are very proud to represent the longest reigning champion today.
"Hyun-Mi is one of the most respectful, sweetest, hardworking athletes I have ever known. We are also very pleased to have teamed up with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing to be able to give Hyun-Mi the fights she deserved. She will be ready to defend her WBA super-featherweight title against an opponent to be determined before the end of the year.”