Heavyweight veterans Hyun Man Myung and Do Hyun Kim will settle months of callouts in a special boxing match at AFC’s historic 10th anniversary event (AFC 43).
Angels Fighting Championship (AFC) continues to build one of the most ambitious events in Korean MMA history, officially announcing a special heavyweight boxing match between Hyun Man Myung and former Korean national boxing team member Do Hyun Kim for AFC 43, the promotion’s 10th anniversary celebration on October 9, 2026.
The matchup has been teased for months through public callouts between the two veterans, but the announcement carries even greater significance than many fans realize. While this will be their first official boxing contest, the two heavyweights already share history inside the ring.
In 2025, Hyun Man Myung and Do Hyun Kim participated in a lengthy technical sparring session that showcased exactly why many fans have wanted to see this matchup become official.
Rather than treating the session as a grudge match, the two veterans approached it as an opportunity to test each other’s skills and exchange knowledge. Throughout the sparring, Myung worked on implementing a new boxing system inspired by the late heavyweight legend George Foreman, while Kim—one of Korea’s most accomplished amateur boxers—provided the type of movement, timing, and technical discipline expected from a former national team representative.
Following the session, Kim praised Myung’s striking ability but offered an honest assessment of where he could still improve.
“The biggest thing is changing the rhythm of your punches. Every shot doesn’t have to be hard. If you add lighter punches and vary your attacks more, you’ll become an even better striker.”
Myung agreed with the evaluation, admitting that he naturally looks for knockout blows instead of building combinations.
“I kept trying to land one big punch,” Myung reflected after the sparring. “I realized I need to set things up better and make the fight easier by putting punches together.”
The mutual respect was evident throughout the training. Kim noted that despite both athletes now competing in their 40s, Myung still possessed the speed and athleticism to compete with much younger fighters, while Myung described the session as one of his most valuable learning experiences.
That previous encounter adds another layer of intrigue heading into AFC 43. Both men will step into the ring already knowing each other’s rhythm, tendencies, and strengths, making adjustments and ring IQ just as important as knockout power.
The announcement adds another marquee attraction to what is already shaping up to be the largest event in Angels Fighting Championship history.
As HanPunch previously reported, AFC 43 will celebrate the promotion’s 10th anniversary on October 9, 2026, at the Inje Speedium Circuit & Resort in Gangwon Province.
Rather than using a conventional arena, AFC plans to construct a special fight stage directly on the Inje Speedium racing circuit, creating the first combat sports event of its kind in South Korea.
Promotion officials are targeting a crowd of approximately 23,000 spectators, making AFC 43 one of the largest MMA events ever staged in the country.
The event is also expected to feature:
Three AFC championship title fights
A full professional MMA card
Special anniversary ceremonies celebrating the promotion’s first decade
A unique outdoor production designed specifically for the racing circuit venue
The special boxing match represents an intriguing clash between two of Korea’s most recognizable heavyweights.
Hyun Man Myung has built his reputation through years of elite-level kickboxing and mixed martial arts competition, becoming one of the country’s most respected heavyweight strikers. Across multiple combat sports disciplines, he has earned a reputation for his knockout power and willingness to face top-level opposition.
Standing across from him will be Do Hyun Kim, whose amateur credentials include representing South Korea on the national boxing team before transitioning into coaching and professional combat sports.
Unlike many crossover bouts built purely on hype, this contest features two athletes who have already shared rounds together in the gym and understand exactly what the other brings to the table.
The Bigger Picture
AFC has made no secret of its ambition to make its 10th anniversary event unlike anything Korean combat sports has seen before.
By combining championship MMA fights with high-profile special attractions such as Hyun Man Myung versus Do Hyun Kim, the promotion is aiming to create a festival atmosphere that appeals to longtime MMA fans and casual sports audiences alike.
With three title fights, a heavyweight boxing showdown between two respected veterans, and an unprecedented venue built on a racing circuit, AFC 43 is rapidly becoming one of the most anticipated Korean combat sports events of 2026.
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Do Hyun K is the lead writer and editor for HanPunch Media, covering Korean MMA, UFC prospects, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu across Asia. He is also a competing BJJ blue belt, bringing firsthand grappling experience to his analysis of fighters and competition strategy.
Do Hyun K is the lead writer and editor for HanPunch Media, covering Korean MMA, UFC prospects, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu across Asia. He is also a competing BJJ blue belt, bringing firsthand grappling experience to his analysis of fighters and competition strategy.
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