Bobby Berna vs. Seung-Il Suh (1st meeting)
Bobby Berna 121 lbs beat Sung In Suh 121 lbs by RTD at 3:00 in round 9 of 15
- Date: 1983-12-04
- Location: Munhwa Gymnasium, Seoul, South Korea
- Referee: Joe Cortez
- Judge: Yasujiro Fujimoto 85-88
- Judge: Emmanuel Flores 87-84
- Judge: Kwang Woo Lee 85-88
- IBF Super Bantamweight Title (vacant)
Berna wins the inaugural IBF Super Bantamweight title.
"Suh, dropped in the first round, was ahead on points when the bout was halted due to a cut under his right eyebrow. Referee Joe Cortez's inclination was to declare Berna winner by a TKO. but he consulted IBF president Robert Lee before making a decision. KBC vice president Jong-Soo Hwang insisted that the bout end in a technical decision in favor of Suh, who was ahead on two official cards.
The bout was finally declared "no contest.” The IBF then had a long meeting at the Shilla Hotel, and issued a statement saying Berna and Suh would meet for the title again within 90 days days later, the IBF issued another statement, making Berna the winner and new champ." The Ring May 1985, Page 72
In 1983 at the WBA's annual convention Bob Lee, president of the United States Boxing Association (USBA), lost in his bid to become WBA president against Gilberto Mendoza. Lee and others withdrew from the convention after the election, and decided to organize a new world-level organization. At first, the new group was named the IBF-USBA, and later the IBF.