USA karate story : Chuck Norris - Joe Lewis - Bill Wallace

Savate Boxe française, early international fights

2011-08-20T03:49:00.000-07:00

Introduction :

In this article, we will analyze the international fights between Savate/Boxe française (aka French boxing) practitioners and other martial arts fighters, during the period of time from 1960 to 1980.

Our work is based primarily on the excellent book written by Jean-François LOUDCHER, "Histoire de la Savate, du Chausson et de la Boxe Française 1799-1978", published by L'Harmattan.

We will also refer to various newspaper articles of the time, mentioned later.

Definition :

We will not make a new history of Savate. We will just remember that this martial art had virtually disappeared after World War II. The practitioners were, during the fifties, no more than a few dozen, or hundreds.

We have to mention the important work of Comte Pierre Baruzy Homer (1987-1994), former student of Charles Charlemont, who tried to revive the old Savate, since the end of World War II. He would have take part to the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, were Savate was a demonstration sport. Unfortunately, we do not have any information about this Games.

The last France championship took place in 1937 and would be back in 1966. Various championships, challenges and meetings took place during this time, but without centralized organization. The Savate federation has even been incorporated into the French Judo Federation, from 1965 to 1974.

In 1965, Comte Baruzy became the founding president of the Comité National de la Boxe Française. The Honorary President is none other than Georges Carpentier, who had started with the Savate, before practicing english boxing, with his wonderful record.

Book devoted to the Comte Baruzy

In order to make more explicit our story, we will simply explain that the former Comité National de la Boxe Française was created in 1965 by the Comte Baruzy, and became the Fédération Nationale de Boxe Française in 1973. The federation received approval from the Ministry of Sports in February 1975. This Savate Federation was more focused over the old academic way to teach Savate. In 1974, a split occured, with the creation of the Fédération Nationale de Savate, were the champions of the time went. This second association was more focused over fights and the modern way of Savate. In 1978, the two federations fusionned.

To give more detail, in 1984, the Federation had nearly 20,000 licensed. In 1985, an international federation was created.

Former international fights :

Since the early 19th century, French boxing practitioners fought fighters from other countries or other sports, mainly English boxers, with very mixed results. It is necessary to clarify that savate was practiced mainly as a point fight (semi-contact), against a boxing way with ko.

The following info is from the book "Martial Arts of the World", written by Thomas A. Green and Joseph R. Swinth, Greenwood edition, quoting the text of Mr. Loudcher's book, above mentionned.

Savate fighter was also opposed to Ju-Jitsu practitioner, the famous French Re-nia, in 1905, against George Dubois, France. It seems that the Savate fighter has lost, after an arm lock.

There would have been a demonstration match between karateka Hiroo Mochizuki, who was only 19 years old and Jacques Cayron, around 1955, in France. It seems that the demo was over after a kick from by the French.

The Evolution of Fighting :

By the late 1960s, the techniques of the Savate became unified, after internal strikes. The guard and blows became more compact and less academic. For example, the "bras équilibrateur" (balanced arm) is forgotten.

It would be interesting to determine whether this development was influenced by english boxing, already more competitive, or by the appearance of martial arts, which in the 1960s, have no fights with ko.

About the books published at the time, we find the "Boxe française Savate Moderne" by Jean-Pierre Dreineza (several times France Champion and European Cup winner in 1984) edition Judogi - Paris 1967?. In this book, the technics represent this new guard and compact strokes.

By opposite, in 1972, Bernard Plasai had published his book "La Boxe intégrale". In this book, the old way of Savate, with the balanced arm, is mentioned.

The Marabout Flash book , about Savate in 1976, was about modern way of Savate and compact guard.

The emergence of the so-called "La Boxe Intégrale" was the subject of a review with the same name, published by Aramis in 1979.

This existence of the two ways over a period of several years confirms the different views that prevailed in the sport. This struggle between the Academic Savate and the Competition Savate is mentioned between 1974/1978.

New France championships in 1966 :

It is necessary to fix the results of these championships, from 1967 or 1966 depending of the versions. Bernard Plasai in the featherweights, Marc Kunstler in the lightweights, Christian Cogi in the middleweights, Denin in the light-heavyweights and Jean Lafond in the heavyweights are the winners.

It should be noted that Bernard Plasai is a focal figure in Savate and has published numerous books dedicated to the sport. Plasai will become nothing less than Senator in the French Senat.

Jean Lafond, meanwhile, is the son of Roger Lafond, creator of a method named "La méthode Lafond" ou "Panache", and mixed Savate, stick (canne), long-stick (bâton) and fencing (escrime).

The first modern international meetings :

Christian Guillaume and his travels in Japan :

This paragraph is based on the following website, http://frenchboxing.blogspot.com/2010/09/christian-guillaume-great.html . In 1969, Christian Guillaume is invited to Japan to fight with kick-boxers. Claude Simonot, also from the Savate, was the second participant in the trip. During his first stay for a month, Christian Guillaume fought 2 fights. Simonot lost his first match. Guillaume won in 1 minute and 48 seconds, with a kick in the kidneys of his opponent. We don't know his name. According to an article from a Japanese newspaper of the time, Guillaume would have won against a man named Shiro Miyatake in 58 seconds, with a front kick, "chassé frontal". The fight took place at the Korakuen Hall. Miyatake was the Japan bantamweight champion.

Interesting picture which shows Guillaume with his "Savate salut"

The second battle was won, after three trips of his opponent to the canvas. The fighters wore 4 oz gloves.

The third fight was a draw.

The second trip, also in 1969, is scheduled for 4 fights. Another French fighter, Albert Boutboul is also part of the trip and lost his first match. Guillaume won his match in 1 minute and 22 seconds, with a combination kick to the body, followed by a left hook.

Boutboul won his second fight on points, during the same evening?. Guillaume sent his opponent to the canvas during the second round.

Guillaume still fought a fight, beating his opponent on points. Note that Guillaume was a lightweight.

Finally, Guillaume fought a last fight with a draw. If we look at the pictures on these fights, we see that the fighters wore gloved, had bare feet and wear shorts and no t-shirts.

According to the above mentionned Marabout book, Guillaume would have six wins, including 3 ko, for one draw.

Guillaume would have been 2nd dan of Judo. In an article in the December 1970 Black-Belt issue, we learn that William was a France champion for the first time in 1969.

Balanced and low arm, Guillaume was still an academic fighter
... but very effective.

Remember that there were problems between the various Savate federations and some of the organizations listed below will be officially sanctioned only by one federation.

The first European Championship, April 11, 1970 :

Italy, Belgium and France took part to this Championship. It took place at the Elysée-Montmartre in Paris. We have to mention that many other championships had been held in the past. We do not know the outcome of these battles.

It's difficult to read the picture below, but it is understandable that G. (Guy?) Proust, G Fercoq?, Richard Genaudeau?, Christian Guillaume and Jacques Cayron? have participated in these championships.

According to the Italian book "La Boxe Francese" of Giorgio Messina, published in 1999 by Edizioni Mediterranee, are mentionned the following results:

Guillaume/France beats Christian Muyters/Belgium in the semi-finals (possibly in Belgium) and beats Silvano Milone/Italy in the finals, in the flyweights-division
Jean-Pierre Julemont/Belgium beats Guy Proust/France in the semi-finals (possibly in Belgium)and beat beat Carlo Benvegnu/Italy in the finals, in lightweights-division
Sandro (Giovanni?) Marcenero/Italy bat Cayron /France in welterweights-division
Silvano Milone would have lost the bantamweights final?

Pictures of the first European Championships, in 1970.

France-Italy, June 12, 1971 :

This meeting took place in Puteaux/Paris, against an Italian team from Genoa, in front of 1'500 spectators.

Italy-France, 1972 :

We just know that Sergio Domenico/Italy would have beaten Charmillon twice in his career, including one in Genoa/Italy, according to the image below.

Meeting Savate vs Chakuriki and European Championships, November 29, 1975 :

The poster of the evening

At Paris (in the Meridien Hotel), was held a meeting, organized by the Fédération Nationale de Savate, the unofficial federation. This meeting was a confrontation between a Chakuriki team (see Article devoted to the Netherlands in this blog) and French practitioners. Robbie Harinck, Ron Kuyt, Gerard Bakker, Jan Kunst and John (Jhon) De Ruyter (Ruiter) were part of the fights for the Netherlands. We do not know the results of these fightss except that Jan Kunst lost against George Simon and Christian won a fight during the meeting?. The karateka Dominique Valera was present.

Jhon de Ruyter / Netherlands during the evening

A fight took place between Bernard Le Prevost/France vs Mac Beaute/Belgium, for the title of European Champion of Savate, for the featherweights. The video of this fight is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ-DfXbqe0w It is possible that Le Prevost has fought a first fight that evening, before the final.

Le Prevost, in red, with the very academic balanced arm

it's difficult to read the poster of the meeting. It seems that Jean-Charles Charmillon/France was opposed to Roger Damien?/Belgium and Todini/France was opposed to Giovanni Tasso/Italy. Todini won the fight.

After reading the above mentionned Marabout book, we learn that MM. Charmillon, Todini, Simon and Le Prevost were European Champions in 1975.

According to the Italian book "La Boxe Francese" of Giorgio Messina, published in 1999 by Edizioni Mediterranee, it appears the following results:

Bruno Berrina/Italy beats Lereuht/Belgium in the flyweights (mentionned in 1965? in the book, but Berrina was born in 1948, so he would have been only 17 years old in 1965)?
Todini/France beats Giovanni Tasso in the welterweights.

The Belgians Muyters and Minocci would have been eliminated in the semi-finals of the Championships, without more detail.

On the page 292 of his book cited above, Jean-François Loudcher mentions an article in the newspaper Le Monde, of December 3, 1975. The evening has not been organized by the Fédération de Boxe Française, but by the dissident movement, the Fédération Nationale de Savate. A bailiff was appointed by the official Federation and he would have seen "a fight between a professional vs an amateur" and "one or more fights would have been without protective equipment". According to the same book, two articles were published in the newspaper l'Equipe of November 28 and December 2, 1975.

We note that the diploma received by Tom Harinck and awarded by the Fédération Nationale de Save et Boxe Française is dated of November 29, 1975, the day of the European Championship.

Finally, it seems that the February 22, 1975, again at the Hotel Meridien, the French Championships have been organized by the Fédération Nationale de Savate. A demonstration of Thai boxing had been made by two Dutch fighters. Despite the lack of details given, it is possible that it was the first appearance in France of the Chakuriki team ?

First Internationaux de France, February 11, 1977 :

They were held at Japy/Paris and brought together members of both federations.

Conclusions :

Many international fights will take place in the eighties, but this blog ends his articles in 1980.

It would be interesting to determine whether it is the regular confrontations with the foreign teams that have changed the Savate to the current form of fight with ko, with modern technics or if it is a French internal evolution that allowed these confrontations.

It is certain that, like other martial arts, Savate had an evolution to a fighting form during the sixties and the seventies, with more efficienty and the loss of old-fashioned techniques.

Three champions but not three stars, Natividad, Kurban, Garcia

2011-05-01T00:35:00.000-07:00

Introduction :

This three fighters have each had a year of outstanding success, but without becoming karate stars, despite a strong media exposure in newspapers and in movies.

"The Happy Days"
Photo of a karate team in Hawaii.
Second row, 5th and 6th from left, Darnell Garcia and John Natividad.

These three athletes have in common the Taekwondo and were part of the documentary "The New Gladiators."

John Natividad :

Early career :

John Natividad was born in Hawaii, from Chinese and Filipino parents. He lived in Germany. with his father, in the army in this country. Student of Chuck Norris and practicing Tang Soo Do, he received his black belt in 1970. He is 5-11 and weighs 175 pounds.

From November 1972 Black Belt magazine issue. In 1971, during the U.S. All-Star Team Karate Championships in Long Beach/California, John Natividad was part of the Chuck Norris' team. Natividad was planned to fight with Jerry Piddington. At the last moment, Natividad learned that he had to fight against Joe Lewis, the Champion of the time. Natividad, showing one's best side, hit Lewis at every movements. To the great surprise of all, the Hawaiian wins the fight. For this victory, among others, John Natividad will thereafter be named "Giants Killer".

John Natividad was able to win against the best, and also able to lose against the weakest, according to the same article.

According to the June 1972 Black Belt issue, John Natividad is eliminated by disqualification against Vern Vaden,, during the qualifying fights for the 1972 World Championships, in Paris. Natividad has hit with a blow with too much contact in the belly of his opponent. The newspaper reported that Natividad is one of the few non shotokan fighters, and that problems between federation exists in these playoffs.

According to the December 1972 Black Belt issue, Natividad loses by 2-1, against Roy Kurban in Boulder/Colorado, at the Four Seasons Karate Summer Champioships.

According to the February 1973 Official Karate issue, John Natividad beats Roy Kurban, during the National Black Belt Championships, in 1972.

"1973" the perfect year:

According to the October 1973 Black Belt issue, Natividad beats Roy Kurban, during the Yamashita Open Karate Tournament in 1973, in Gardena/California, for the heavyweight title. Natividad is leading the fight, before Kurban comes back. During the sudden-death overtime, Natividad scores a point and wins the game. For the title of Grand Champion, Howard Jackson beats Natividad, also in overtime.

According to the Official Karate November 1973 issue, Natividad beats Roy Kurban, during the Colorado State Championships.

John Natividad (right) against Roy Kurban

According to an article published in the April 1973 Black Belt Magazine, John Natividad loses against Ralph Alegria, during the Grand Championship for the 3rd International Karate Championships, in Las Vegas. Previously, Natividad had beaten Blinky Rodriguez for the final of the heavyweights and Benny Urquidez during the playoff for the Grand Championships.

In 1973, Natividad loses against Jeff Smith at the Battle of Atlanta. At the Top Ten Nationals, Jeff Smith beats John Natividad again, during the playoffs.

The fight against Benny Urquidez :

Benny Urquidez beats Kraig Smith by 3-0 and wins the lightweights title. John Natividad def Choo Choo Mayes for the light-heavyweights title. For the Grand Champion title, Natividad beats Ralph Algegria by 2-0 and Benny Urquidez defeats Bob Burbidge, by 3-2.

In the finals, John Natividad wins the first round against Benny Urquidez by 3-2. In the second round, John Natividad received a penalty for a reverse punch, with face contact. Urquidez leads by 6-4 at the end of the 2nd round. In the 3rd round, a spinning back kick ? from Benny Urquidez struck Natividad squarely in the jaw. Urquidez is penalized. At the end of the 3rd round, the fighters are at 12-12. During the overtime, Natividad gives a reverse punch and win the match by 13-12.

Benny Urquidez (left) against John Natividad

The New Gladiators :

John Natividad had a role in the documentary "The New Gladiators," with the story of a trip in Europe for an American karate team. In this blog, a separate article is devoted to this film.

Here is an excerpt from the film, with too short excerpts of the fights of John Natividad, in England and Belgium. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNULKCYeipg

End of career :

According to the January 1974 Official Karate issue, John Natividad loses against Everett Monsterman Eddy, for the Four Seasons Las Vegas Nationals.

According to the May 1974 Black Belt issue, John Natividad loses against Darnell Garcia, for the 2nd Annual Open Karate Tournament Yamashita. A kick from Darnell Garcia gives him the only point of the fight and the victory.

Natividad retired from competition in 1975.

Style :

According to the october 1974 Black-Belt issue, Natividad is described this way "... he is equally formidable with both hands but is noted for his spectacular arsenal of kicks... John succesfsully employs broken rythm and deceptive hip feint to score his patented roundhouse and side kicks... John's most sucessfull technique, however, is a left-hand reverse punch usually aimed at an opponent's armpits or ribs...".

After Karate :

He studied history and political science at the University of Nevada.

He has since worked in insurance and continued to teach karate in various U.S. cities.

Roy Kurban :

Early career :

Roy Kurban began martial arts in 1965, with Allen Steen, in his Taekwondo style. He received his black belt in 1968. He also trained in Korea, for a year, during is military service in that country. He measures 6'2''and weighs 180 lbs. He fought mainly in the heavyweights division.

According to the December 1972 Black Belt issue, Roy Kurban wins the Karate Olympics, in Houston/Texas. In the finals for the Grand Championships, Kurban beats Jeff Smith, after having beaten Ralph Jask, by 4-2. and Max Aslup for the heavyweight title, by 5-4. Here are excerpts from fights, maybe vs Max Aslup and Ralph Jask. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHJGhX970bo and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9zOJVoczN0

According to the same newspaper, Roy Kurban wins the Four Seasons, in Colorado, against Jim Butin, in the final, after having beaten John Natividad.

"1973", the perfect year :

In 1973, for the United States Karate Championships, Bill Wallace beats Kurban in the final of the Grand Championship, with a kick.

Roy Kurban, in white, against Bill Wallace

The New Gladiators :

In 1973, Roy Kurban is in the documentary "The New Gladiators". In this blog, a separate article is devoted to this film.

At the Beverly Hill Invitational, the following fights are represented : Steve Sanders (Muhammad) def Hernandez by disqualification. Roy Kurban beats Blinky Rodriguez, Cecil Peoples and Ray Sua, before beating Steve Sanders during the finals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoJld8Kdrsw. Fighters are wearing foot protections. Only body contact is allowed. Finally, during the 1974 U.S. Nationals Championships, with fighters wearing foot and fist protections, light head contact is authorized, as full body contact. Roy Kurban beats first Darnell Garcia, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Pah1grDqg, then Benny Urquidez for the finals.

The April 1975 Black Belt Magazine issue mentions this tournament under the name Western Pro/Am Karate Championships, in Oakland/CA. If the pictures of the fighters in the newspapers are the same as in the film, it is mentioned in Black-Belt that Kurban beats Benny Urquidez in the semi-finals and Darnell Garcia in the finals. This version is confirmed by the March 1975 Professional Karate issue. The movie has probably made the mistake with a false chronology of the semi-finals and finals. The prize-monney for the winner is USD 1,000 .--.

End of career :

According to the July 1974 Black Belt issue, Roy Kurban, winner of the two former editions of the U.S. Karate Championships, is absent from the current edition. He would have been banned by the American Karate Black Belt Association, for an unspecified reason. He had a problem with Allen Steen.

According to the April 1975 Black Belt edition, in Oakland at the Western Pro/Am Karate Championships, which is mentionned as a professional Karate fight, Roy Kurban beats Darnell Garcia in the final, after having beaten Benny Urquidez. The contact "moderate to strong", depending to the targets, is allowed in this fights. Kurban wins USD 500 .--.

In 1976, he probably won a full contact fight against Blinky Rodriguez, NKL, Ft Worth/Texas, without further details.

Style :

According to the october 1973 Black-Belt issue, Roy Kurban is described this way "...Kurban combines superb conditioning with smooth technique and analytical game plans. He regards his most successful tactics as the front-leg spin kick, the back-knuckle strike and the reverse punch used in a wide variety of combinations... he generates power as well as speed".

After Karate :

Roy Kurban stopped the competition in 1977.

He went to the University, as a student in Law.

In 1978, Roy Kurban wrote the book "Kicking Techniques for Competition and Self Defense".

Roy Kurban has served as an instructor in various polices and in the U.S. Army. He also served as a police officer and a judge.

Darnell Garcia :

Early career :

Darnell Garcia, student with a Bachelor of Science Degree, is serving in the U.S. army, as a M.P and in the Intelligence Services, until 1968. He began martial arts with Chuck Norris, with the Taekwondo. Darnell Garcia is an instructor in a Chuck Norris' school. He is most often referred as a light-heavyweight fighter, but sometimes changes from categorie.

"1972" the perfect year :

According to the August 1972 Black Belt edition, during the National Black Belt Championships in Albuquerque/New Mexico, Bill Wallace beats Darnell Garcia in the final of the Grand Championships, during the overtime.

Darnell Garcia (right) against Fred Wren

Darnell Garcia won the Grand Champion Internationals Karate Championships in 1972, against Joe Lewis. After this title, a big surprise, Darnell Garcia will be considered as one of the best fighters of the year.

Darnell Garcia, right, against Joe Lewis

In 1973, during the U.S. Pro/Am or U.S. Open Championships, at Ocean City, Jeff Smith beats Darnell Garcia, by 5-4. A video of a Darnell Garcia's fight in this championship against Bradley Holland, is available at this address : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3EYnt0AIqc

According to the January 1974 Official Karate issue, Darnel Garcia won the Grand Championships at the Las Vegas Four Seasons Nationals, in 1973, beating Johnny Bell in the final. He earned USD 400 .--.

According to the May 1974 Black Belt issue, John Natividad loses against Darnell Garcia, for the 2nd Annual Open Karate Tournament Yamashita. A kick from Darnell Garcia gives him the only point of the fight and the victory.

In 1974, Jeff Smith beats Darnell Garcia, at the International Karate Championships Ed Parker, at Long Beach.

According to the July 1974 Official Karate edition, Bill Wallace beats Darnell Garcia in the quarter-finals of the Battle of Atlanta.

The New Gladiators :

Darnell Garcia is in the documentary "The New Gladiators" about the trip in Europe for an American karate team. In this blog, a separate article is devoted to this movie. Video of Garcia's fights in England and Belgium. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNULKCYeipg

During the 1974 U.S. Nationals Championships, with fighters wearing foot and fist protections, light head contact is authorized, as full body contact. Roy Kurban beats first Darnell Garcia, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Pah1grDqg, then Benny Urquidez for the finals.

The April 1975 Black Belt Magazine issue mentions this tournament under the name Western Pro/Am Karate Championships, in Oakland/CA. If the pictures of the fighters in the newspapers are the same as in the film, it is mentioned in Black-Belt that Kurban beats Benny Urquidez in the semi-finals and Darnell Garcia in the finals. This version is confirmed by the March 1975 Professional Karate issue. The movie has probably made the mistake with a false chronology of the semi-finals and finals. The prize-monney for the winner is USD 1,000 .--.

End of career :

According to the April 1975 Black Belt edition, in Oakland at the Western Pro/Am Karate Championships, which is mentionned as a professional Karate fight, Roy Kurban beats Darnell Garcia in the final, after having beaten Benny Urquidez. The contact "moderate to strong", depending to the targets, is allowed in this fights. Kurban wins USD 500 .--.

On May 10, 1975, in Long Island, for the WPKO heavyweight title, Fred Miller beats Darnell Garcia, on points. An article in this blog is devoted to this championship, organized by Aaron Banks.

Darnell Garcia has appeared in various films, including "Enter the Dragon", for a very small role. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96c78FzDLLo

Two pictures from "Enter The Dragon" with Darnell Garcia and John Saxon

He has written two books, "Explosive Instincts and Mind Power" and "Fighting Art of Tang Soo Do".

Style :

In the october 1974 Black Belt issue, Darnell Garcia is mentionned this way "...a very smart fighter who uses the right techniques at the right time, Garcia combines a simple and direct fighting style with analytical insight. He scores the majority of his points with a left reverse punch and a deceptive right roudhouse kick. Even when he is ahead by several points, he doesn't after his fighting style to become fancier. Instead, he consistently scores his techniques in such a fashin that the referee and at least two side judges will see them...".

After Karate :

After his career as a karateka, Darnell Garcia began working for the Police Department in Los Angeles. After that, he worked for the DEA. He seems to have been in trouble with the law and was sentenced to jail.

Conclusions :

It is difficult to explain why these 3 fighters did not become more famous than others karate of the time. Natividad, Kurban and Garcia have plenty of wins in their records. Each of this fighters has dominated the american karate during one year.

Three surprises from Hawaii : Limoz, Rapoza, Goodson

2010-05-02T05:28:00.000-07:00

Introduction :

This article is about three fighters, very successful in 1974 and 1975, without becoming the top of the list in full-contact, during this period of time. We will study their cases with a thematic way rather than a chronological one.

During the 60's and 70's, Hawaii has continuously provided quality fighters such as Mike Stone and John Natividad. In addition, this island has provided two styles of fighting, American Kenpo and Kajukenbo.

Kenpo and Kajukenbo :

Although it's very difficult to explain the American Kenpo, we can summarize by saying that it's a name for multiple martial arts that developed in Hawaii due to cross-cultural exchange between practitioners. Kenpo have been adapted and disseminated to Hawaii in various schools. Ed Parker has created a branch of Kenpo, spread all across the U.S. in the 50's. The movement speed is a characteristic of Ed Parker's Kenpo.

The Kajukenbo also derives from the original techniques, and is a direct style of self-defense. Adriano Emperado is of the creators, in the late 40's.

Teddy Limoz :

Boxing :

In 1975, Teddy Limoz is a 27 years old boxing professional fighter. As an amateur, he won the Hawaii title in the middleweights and has participated to the 1968 Olympic Games trial, via the Golden Gloves and the Diamonds Gloves .

Teddy Limoz boxer (1975)

According to his record, on BoxRec, he had the following fights in the middleweight and light-heavyweight categories:

09/13/1969 Vaa Fuat wko2 Honolulu/Hawaii
11/02/1970 Marijon Kolar wtko 2 Honolulu/Hawaii
02/23/1971 Marijon Kolar wp4 Honolulu/ Hawaii

Teddy Limoz does not seem to have fought for two years.

30/03/1973 Etual Sua wp4 Honolulu/Hawaii
29/01/1974 Etual Sua wp5 Honolulu/Hawaii
24/08/1974 Sat N'Gata wp5 Honolulu/Hawaii
10/01/1974 William Vea wko1 Honolulu/Hawaii

In 1975, Teddy Limoz came to martial arts. According to the December 1975 Black Belt issue, Limoz have won 7 of his 8 professional fights, which does not match with the record of BoxRec. In the same article, it is written that Limoz trained with Jerry Quarry and Oscar Bonavena (opponents of Muhammad Ali), as they move to Hawaii, in 1974 and 1975, according to BoxRec.

02/25/1978 Mack Foley ltko 3 Las Vegas/Nevada
22/11/1983 Ateles Kaihea ltko 3 Honolulu/Hawaii

In conclusion, by examining the records of his opponents, none of them has been a national or international champion.

Martial Arts :

Limoz trains Karate with Dana Goodson (see below), and is practicing Kenpo. Goodson would have taught him kicks and Limoz would have taught him punches (December 1975 Black Belt issue).

In 1975, Teddy Limoz participates in the First Full-Contact Tournament in Hawaii and beats Augie Evans by ko. Limoz should quit the tournament with an injury and Evans is qualified to continue the tournament.

4th World Series of Martial Arts: July 27th, 1975 Honolulu/Hawaii, HIC Arena.

Regarding Tommy Lee's WSMAC, please read the article on this subject in this blog.

In this series, Teddy Limoz beats Ken Bell by ko in the 1st round, after having sent him three times to the canvas, in the heavyweights. Ken Bell has already lost the 03.15.1975 against Dana Goodson.

In the finals, Joe Lewis (PKA full-contact World Champion, see separate article in this blog) fights against Ted Limoz. They start with studying each others, in the first round and Joe Lewis wins this part of the fight. In the second round, Ted Limoz takes the kicks and punches from his opponent and continues to face him. Joe Lewis begins to clinch and even receive a warning for head-butting. Ted Limoz makes the forcing in the 3rd and final round. Joe Lewis protects himself and ends up being wounded to the eye. A doctor examines the wound and says that he could continue. Ted Limoz pursues his opponent with his fists and finally wins the last round and the match.

Limoz (left) against Lewis

It should be noted that the fighters were wearing protective elbows and therefore had the right to use these body parts to hit their opponent. It does not seem that the projections and immobilizations have been used during the fight. On the video of the fight between Joe Lewis and Ron Clay, during the same evening, we note that Ron Clay employs the knee blows.

With this victory, Limoz earns between USD 3,000.-- and 5,000 .--, depending on the versions.

He will be the subject of numerous articles in newspapers such as the 1975 Decembre Black Belt issue. In all the newspaper articles about Ted Limoz, it is mentioned that he had more street fights than ring fights. He had worked in the building construction.

Other fights :

On 28/02/1976, Limoz beats Mike Arroyo, (who is practicing Karate), in Hawaii, in full-contact. Limoz loses the first round for not giving enough kicks. In the second round, Limoz send Arroyo, twice to the canvas with the right hand and wins via a tko. It should be noted that according to the March 1977 Karate Illustrated, this fight was for the PKA heavyweights title.

Limoz Teddy (right) against Mike Arroyo

This is related to an article published on the Internet, where we find that Limoz could not participate in a tournament against a Japan Kyokushinkai team, visiting Hawaii (1977 or 1978?). Limoz was injured in that time. It is mentionned that Limoz is the heavyweight World Champion. We did not find anywhere else that Limoz holds the title. In 1976, Scott Ross was the PKA World Champion, after his fight against Johnny Lee.

In February 1977, Ted Limoz beats Danny "Scorpio" Wright on points in four rounds, at a tournament named Martial Arts Spectacular, held in Honolulu by Walter Godin of Kula Ona Kupala Kenpo Karate. Limoz really beat up Scorpio Wright in the 3rd and 4th rounds. Thank you to Brian Howell for this picture and the information.

Limoz Teddy (left) against Wright

We know no defeats in full-contact for Limoz, and we do not know what has stopped him in the practice of this sport.

Again boxer :

In 1978, Ted Limoz fights once more and loses a fight in Las-Vegas. He again loses a fight in 1983, in Honolulu.

After his career :

According to the May 8th, 1990 Honolulu Star Bulletin, Ted Limoz would have been sentenced for manslaughter, to 5 to 10 years term in prison, after a fatal robbery, possibly for drugs (without further clarification and certainty).

He is known as Ted Limoz Sr, (his son is also a boxer) or Teddy, Theodore or Theo Limoz.

We know nothing about his current activity.

-------------------------------------------------- -------

Victor Rapoza :

We know nothing about Victor Rapoza before his first fight. He would have practiced Kenpo, with a purple belt. He was a firefighter and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

3rd World Series of Martial Arts on 06/21/1975 :

In the heavyweights, Victor Rapoza stops Chris Michael, in the semifinals.

Victor Rapoza during the weight in

In the finals, Victor Rapoza beats Eddy, by ko in the 2nd. Rapoza dominates during the first round and both fighters exchange punches in the 2nd round, when a left followed by a right sent Eddy to the canvas, for ten and more.

Before this fight, Everett Eddy was considered as the challenger for Joe Lewis, the PKA World Champion. Lewis will lose against Ted Limoz one month later.

Other fights :

We are not sure of the following. In 1976, Ross Scott beats Victor Rapoza by ko ? during a first fight. According to the March 1980 Black-Belt issue, they made a draw. It was a non title bout.
The same evening, Dana Goodson def Ross Scott, by ko ? The fight, according to other sources, would have taken place in 1981 ? (see the poster in the next chapter).

Poster with Victor Rapoza and Scott Ross (1976?)

Victor Rapoza beats Carlton Morris, in 1976.

After his sports career :

Victor Rapoza is a former firefighter, who currently works at the Ice House at Wai'anae Small Boat Harbor, Hawaii. We have no more information about his fights record.

-------------------------------------------------- -------

Dana Goodson :

Traditional Karate :

He had started the martial arts in 1965. Dana Goodson is a Kenpo fighter.

According to the December 1973 Black Belt issue, at the Norris Waterway Kumite California, Goodson beats John Natividad by 5-4, Steve Fischer 2-0, Smiley Uruqidez 5-4 before losing in the finals against Darnell Garcia 5-4. It was a very good job for a newcomer on the circuit.

According to the April 1974 Black Belt issue, at the All Star Black Belt Team, Los Angeles, Goodson beats once more John Natividad 2-1, Ralph Alegria 3-0, before losing vs Howard Jackson, by 2-1. Again a great result against the best fighter of the time.

In 1975, during a tournament held in Hawaii, with the name First Full-Contact Tournament, Dana Goodson loses vs Augie Evans.

1st series: 14 and 15 November 1974, Honolulu/ Hawaii

These first series has no weight category. A total of USD 10,000 .- will be divided among the winners, the winner earning U.S. $ 5,000 .-

At the end of the first day, 16 finalists are nominated by their results.

Dana Goodson beats Jack Atkins by ko in the 1st round, Blink Ordelies on points and Blinky Rodriguez on points, http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=xTCRxRcBh48.

In the finals, Benny Urquidez, natural lightweight, beats Dana Goodson on points. Goodson measures 6'1'' and weighs 230 lbs. Urquidez has managed to send his opponent to the canvas and to pin him for 5 seconds. His superior physical condition has enabled Urquidez to dominate his opponent, video http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=yblJ9VqHW8w.

Dana Goodson (right) against Benny Urquidez

Series 2 : May 16, 1975, Los Angeles Sports Arena

In the heavyweights, Dana Goodson beats Ken Bell, by ko in the 3rd. In the finals, Everett Eddy beats Dana Goodson. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba9AgpwW-8c

Dana Goodson (right) against Everett Eddy

Other fights :

We are not sure of the following. In 1976, Dana Goodson def Ross Scott, by ko ?, in a non title bout. The fight, according to other sources, would have taken place in 1981 ?

The poster announcing the fight between Ross and Dana Scott Goodson in 1976

In 1983, Dana Goodson loses against Maurice Smith, for the World title.

According to some sources, Dana Goodson had a record of 18-4, in kick-boxing.

Boxer :

Unlike Ted Limoz, Dana Goodson begins his career as a professional boxing fighter, in the heavyweights, after his career in full-contact or kick-boxing.

According to the site BoxRec, he would have the following record:

02/28/1978 Sat N'Gata wp5 Honolulu
03/28/1978 Sat N'Gata wp5 Honolulu
03/06/1979 Five Star Nuuvali wtko 2 Honolulu
07/31/1979 Lee Holloman wp6 Honolulu
02/19/1980 Sefulu Togafau nc2 Honolulu
12/07/1983 Albert Myles lp6 Honolulu

N'Gata has also been an opponent of Limoz, in 1974. None of the Goodson's opponents has been a national or international champion.

After his sports career :

In 1979, Dana Goodson has a role in the serie Hawaii Five 0, in a episode called Sign of the Ram.

He has been Ted Limoz' coach, in Hawaii, in 1975.

Dana Goodson (left) is Limoz' coach, against Lewis

In 1990, he becomes the coach of Stan Longidinis, the World Champion in kick-boxing.

Dana Goodson died in 2000 in Australia, where he had emigrated.

Conclusions :

The three above mentionned fighters were coming from the same area. The full-contact level in 1975 was so low, they were able to beat the best fighters of the time, but never became World Champion.

The practice of martial arts and the level of violence in Hawaii at the time created the right environment for the emergence of such fighters. The three fighters have also practiced Kenpo.

Unfortunately, we have found no video of this fighters, with an exception for Dana Goodson.

Black Karate Federation, Jim Kelly and Karriem Allah Abdallah

2010-02-21T01:26:00.000-08:00

Introduction :

The Black Karate Federation, or BKF, represents a significant fact of the black movement in the U.S.A., during the 1970s. We will not detail the black American movements (eg: Martin Luther King, the Muslim movement of Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, the Black Panthers, etc.). The BKF is also unrelated to the political demands of the above mentioned movements.

It is useful to understand the attitudes of the African American athletes from the USA, in many sports such as boxing, athletics and also karate.

The most famous example is Mohammed Ali, born Cassius Clay, changed his name after joining the Nation of Islam in 1964. In 1967, Ali refused to be inducted into the U.S. military, based on his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War. Also in boxing, the light-heavyweights World Champions Eddie Gregory and Matthew Franklin, have also changed their names in 1980 and 1979, in Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and Matthew Saad Muhammad, after a conversion to Islam.

In athletics, during the Olympics in Mexico City, in 1968, African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos, gold and bronze in the 200 meters, performed the Power to the People salute. They were expelled from the Games. A few days later, the U.S. medalists in the 400 meters received their medals wearing berets, in imitation of the Black Panther Party. In 1972, during the Munich Olympics, other African-American athletes were suspended, for a demonstration at a medal ceremony.

In basketball, Ferdinand Lewis (Lew) Alcindor, several years after converting to Islam, changed his name in Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and become a legendary NBA player.

Black Karate Federation :

The members of the Black Karate Federation are not the precursors of black American karate. Fighters like Thomas LaPuppet and Victor Moore were their predecessors.

The Black Karate Federation was founded in 1968, according to various sources. A short excerpt from a documentary about the BKF history : http://www.youtube.com/user/usakaratestory#p/a/u/0/4zHJPiHYGi8

Jim Kelly left and Steve Sanders around the BKF logo
in Enter the Dragon

The BKF logo, with rasta colors

Steve Sanders was cheated out of a win in a fight against Joe Lewis, possibly in 1969. This defeat has motivated the creation of this federation, among many others. At tournament, the African American fighters were matched up against each other to eliminate most of the best fighters.

The founders of BKF are Cliff Steward, Ron Chapel, Jerry Smith, Steve Sanders, Donnie Williams, Curtis Pulliam and Carl Armelin. Sanders becomes the first BKF president. This federation is primarily active in the region of Los Angeles.

The first school opened at 103rd Street School.

The first school

The training sessions were open to all practitioners and all styles. A portion of the film "Enter the Dragon" was filmed in this school. The links to this video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQReFu7NKpU

Many founders were Vietnam War veterans and/or from the police.

According to the April 1989 Black-Belt issue, 32 schools were opened in total. The BKF then announces 1,000 members, black or white.

The purpose of the BKF was to be a united voice for competitors of color, to improve their training and to keep youth out of gangs and away from drugs.

Steve Sanders, aka Steve Muhammad :

He started studying Goju-Ryu, and after the Ed Parker Kenpo. He also studied with Chuck Sullivan, at the Censhaw School.

Sanders was a Vietnam War veteran and was also a police officer, during a period of his life.

The following results for Sanders :

In 1968, for the Internationals Grand Champion, Sanders loses against Chuck Norris.

In 1968, Sanders loses against Bill Wallace, for the teams tournament, in Chicago.

In 1969, Sanders loses against Joe Hayes, during the East Coast vs. West Coast, according to Al Weiss book, The Official History of Karate in America, p. 115.

In 1969, during a tournament, maybe the Internationals, Sanders is unfairly declared the loser against Joe Lewis. We don't have more details on this fight.

In 1970, Sanders is 3rd in the lightweights, during the 7th annual Internationals in Long Beach, behind Byong Yu and Benny Urquidez, (Al Weiss book, page 132).

In 1971, Sanders wins the lightweight title at the Internationals. He beats Jim Kelly in the first round of the Grand Championship. Sanders eventually loses against Joe Lewis for Grand Champion. We don't have more details on this tournament.

According to the February 1972 Black-Belt issue, during the California Team Championships, Steve Sanders, for the Los Angeles team, draws with Ron Marchini. Sanders also beats Howard Jackson by 2-0.

In 1974, during the Beverly Hills Invitational, Sanders loses against Roy Kurban. The fight is recorded for the film "The New Gladiators". Links to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoJld8Kdrsw

In 1974, during the Pro/Am World Association of Karate, Sanders loses the finals against Joe Lewis, by 4-3.

Joe Lewis (left) against Steve Sanders in 1974

His nickname was "The fastest hands in Karate". He practiced Kenpo, a fast and light combination of blows.

Sanders had Sammy Pace as a student.

Sanders wrote "Kenpo Championship" with Donnie Williams.

The Book with the BKF logo (left)

At an unknown date, Sanders changed his name to Muhammad, after converting to Islam.

Donnie Willams :

Williams was born in 1947. He has practiced Shotokan, and Taekwondo, with Byong Yu. He also practiced Kenpo, with Steve Sanders.

Donnie Williams loses against Howard Jackson in 1973, during the first round of the Las Vegas Four Seasons Nationals, (Al Weiss Book, page 157).

Donnie Williams (right) against Howard Jackson

He is now called Bishop, and has created a congregation in Southern California "Family Church". It's differend to the conversions to Islam above mentioned.

He participated in the production of the BKF Magazine. He had a role in Enter the Dragon and Black Belt Jones, with Jim Kelly.

Jerry Smith :

Jerry Smith is the training partner of Joe Lewis and practices Shorin-Ryu. He becomes one of the first full-contact trainers.

Smith is the BKF captain, during the 1971 1972 and 1973 Internationals victories.

Jerry Smith loses 2-1 against Darrell Lassiter, for the lightweights finals in 1978 during the 6th Prairie State Championships. Lassiter is warned for a blow with too much contact (Al Weiss Book, page 190). In 1978, Smith has maybe a 3 rounds fight, against Glenn Keeney, in light-contact.

Ron Chapel :

He was a police sergeant in California.

Cliff Stewart :

He practiced Goju-Ryu and Hapikido.

Curtis Pulliam :

He loses against John Fishbein at the Demura UCI Karate Tourney, according to the June 1969 Black-Belt issue.

At the Four Seasons Karate Tourney, in Torrance/CA, Curtis Pulliam participates at the All Stars. His results in this tournament are unknown, according to the August 1969 Black-Belt issue.

BKF Students :

It's impossible to mention all the BKF students. We mention Roland Talton, a former policeman who participates in the WSMAC, with this excerpt from a fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWLvEd3ykc8. We also mention Lenny Ferguson, the first black American to win the Grand Championship of the Internationals in 1975.

Jim Kelly :

Jim Kelly, better known as an actor, was a Parker Sheldon's student, in Shorin-Ryu.

At the 1971 Ed Parker's Internationals, Jim Kelly wins the middleweights title. For the Grand Champion preliminary, he loses against Steve Sanders, the lightweights champion. A video of his fight against an unknown opponent, certainly during the 1971 International: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2WVWCLel5s

According to the February 1972 Black Belt issue, during the California Teams Championships, Jim Kelly draws with Bob Halliburton. Jim Kelly also beat Walker 4-2.

Jim Kelly in action, right, against an unknown opponent

Jim Kelly was an actor in various movies, including "Enter the Dragon" with Bruce Lee and "Black Belt Jones". Jim Kelly will also be a professional tennis player on the USTA Senior men's circuit.

He is an integral part of the African-American and martial arts cinematic explosion of the 1970s, named Blackexploitation, as "Shaft" for exemple. According to Wikipedia : "Black exploitation, or "blaxploitation" films, are made with black actors, ostensibly for black audiences" and "Blaxploitation films tend to take place in the ghetto, dealing with hit men, drug dealers and pimps. The genre frequently takes place in an atmosphere of crime and drug-dealing. Ethnic slurs against whites (e.g. "honky"), and negative white characters like corrupt cops... were common".

We did not find specific text on the possible involvement of Jim Kelly in the BKF.

Karriem Allah, aka Karriem Abdallah :

Outside the BKF, other practitioners had an interesting development. According to the June 1976 Black-Belt issue, Karriem Allah is 17 years old in 1963. Karriem Abdallah is a student of James Cheatham. Under his birth name, Karriem Allah fights in 1964 or 1965 against Mike Stone, possibly during a tournament organized by Jhoon Rhee, in Washington. Karriem Abdullah loses also against Lou Lizotte. We have no information about this fights.

Karriem Allah fights in 1975 against Jeff Smith, for the title PKA light-heavyweights title. Karriem Allah had apparently no experience in full-contact, a brand new sport at the time. The bout ends with a split decision. Links to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIIzQIcyPtw

Karriem Abdallah vs. Jeff Smith, white trousers

This is maybe the first official defense of the PKA title, but Jeff Smith had already fought at least 4 times in full-contact. The match was broadcast as the preliminay fight of the 3rd battle between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

Links to video of a fight between Kariem Allah (now Abdallah), and Maasi, a Bando practitioner, also called Mfundishi Maasi, from New Jersey : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEnnhLLTszI We do not know the date of this fight. Abdullah wins before the limit

Karriem Allah Abdallah (left) vs. Maasi

In November 1967, Karriem Abdallah creates his own system, called "KA System of Karate". Abdallah have been maybe the trainer of the boxing light-heavyweights World Champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, formerly Eddie Gregory and of Eddie "Yaqui" Lopez, light-heavyweight challenger.

Karriem Abdallah is a follower of the Muslim Elijah Muhammad movement, as many African-Americans of the time.

We found no evidence of a relationship between Karriem Abdallah and the BKF.

Conclusions :

The above mentioned athletes have helped the cause of African-American in sports, as in politic, giving the best possible use of various media platforms available.

Karate was not the main sport, but it contributed to the recognition of the rights of African American athletes.

Wally Slocki : A Canadian against the USA

2010-01-09T23:50:00.000-08:00

Introduction :

The purpose of this article is to establish a short sports biography of a fighter of the seventies. Wally Slocki was a part of to the karate evolution to full-contact. He had a traditionnal karate style, while fighting in full-contact karate. He was also not afraid to fight against the best kick-boxing or full-contact fighters of the time.

Traditional Karate :

Born around 1947, Wally Slocki began judo at 6, then practiced Kung Fu in 1964 to specialize in Japanese Karate in 1965. His Masters were Masami Tsuroka (Shito-Ryu) and Benny Allen ( Shito-Ryu). In 1967, 1968 and 1970, Slocki was Canada Karate Champion.

Championship Canada 1968

1967. All-Star First American Tae Kwon Do Nationals Karate Tournament. Wally Slocki, announced as a Goju-Ryu practitioner, fights against Hanke, of Detroit, Shorin-Ryu. Slocki is beaten. Previously, Slocki has beaten Barron, Isshinryu. Black-Belt Magazine, April 1968.

11.23/24.1968. World Professional Karate Championship. New York. Black Belt, May 1969. David Moon, Texas, def Wally Slock, by 39 to 38, in the preliminaries.

06.15.1969. Grand Nationals Karate Championship, Bill Wallace beats Wally Slocki in the preliminaries, with side kicks. It is possible that Wallace broke Slocki's nose with a back-fist. Blood spurted from his nose.

1969. East Coast vs. West Coast Open Championship in New York. Slocki wins the heavyweight title, before this team competition. Wally Slock beats Panama Jones.

1970. Heavyweights. Wally Slocki fithts against Berry Hankersonmet, at the Gerald Orange's Dojo. Peter Urban is the referee. The fighters grabs on many occasions. The referee must stop the bout to let the fighters cool off. Walter Slocki wins the fight. Black Belt, April 1971.

November 1971. Karate Ontario Championship. Bob Smith beats Wally Slocki. Black Belt, November 1971.

1973. Ontario Open Karate Championships. Slocki beats Bill Kelly, for the heavyweight title. Previously, Slocki beats Villeneuve, with a punch to the body. He follows with a kick to Kelly's face, making light contact. No penalty points are awarded. is counted. In the semi-finals, Slocki beats Everett Francis. Slocki also finished second in kata. Black Belt, July 1973.

Wally Slock, right, vs Everett Francis.

A video of the Slocki's karate fight. We don't know the names of his opponents.. The longest is possibily against Panama Jones, in 1969. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UowyJIPN3pc

Kickboxing and Full Contact :

Joe Lewis vs Wally Slock :

In 1970, Joe Lewis is the American kick-boxing pionner. He has already beaten Greg Baines, and maybe also Ed Daniel. Wally Slocki has no experience of ko fights. Joe Lewis fights against Wally Slocki, and beats him before the 3rd round, in Toronto. Wally Slocki wears a t-shirt, but Joe Lewis wears himself no t-shirt. There is no ring. In the 2nd round, Lewis knees Slocki in the head. Video of a part of the fight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WURXL-JalIw

The famous knee Lewis (right) against Slocki

Controversy :

Slocki said that the fight was a demonstration and that Lewis said him "I'a going to really hit you". Slocki said that Lewis would have broken his nose. Blood gushed. Address of the interview: http://www.usadojo.com/biographies/wally-slocki.htm

In an other interview at http://www.mikemiles.com/index.php?p=interviews&i=joe_lewis Joe Lewis says that the promoter came up to him and asked him to take it easy on Slocki, because he was scared. Slocki came at Lewis and started throwin front kicks that had full intention of knocking Lewis' block off. Lewis had then decided to drop Slocki. Lewis kneed him and Slocki went to the canvas. Between rounds, Slocki retired. The result was a TKO. At the end of the fight, the referee raised both of our hands.

For the record, it is often said that Bruce Lee was in the attendence during this fight. The following image is not sufficiently clear to be assertive about it.

Bruce Lee in black jacket and white trousers ?

First PKA World Championships :

1974. Los Angeles. (see article on this evening in this blog, September 14, 1974 in Los Angeles).

Two Canadians were called by the promoter to participate in these first championships, Wally Slocki and Daniel Richer.

In his first fight for the light-heavyweights, Wally Slock meets the Japanese Ryu Kenji. Kenji is 20 years old, practices the Kempo and has 30 lbs less than Slocki. The Canadiens wins the fight easily and does the show. Kenji goes to the canvas 2 times. Video of the fight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62K3W8isTjA

In the finals, Jeff Smith beats Wally Slocki, on points. Smith wins the first round and Slocki the second. Finally, Smith wins the third round, because a point is deducted from Slocki, for violation of the rules. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qDbxdQ29os

Battle of Atlanta :

August 2nd, 1976. Jeff Smith, at this time light-heavyweights World Champion, beats Wally Slocki for the title, on points, with a majority decision. Extract of fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuGDSb9jIQM

Roundhouse kick from Slocki to Smith

Record :

We unfortunately don't know Slocki's full-contact record. We also don't know other fights than those mentioned above.

Style :

In traditional Karate, Slocki uses a moving guard with theatrical gestures. He said he wanted to use the strength of the opponent, rather than trying to impose his own strength. Moreover, Slocki gives very good roundhouse kicks.

Example of roundhouse kick.

In 1974, during the PKA Championships, Slocki has kept traditional karate techniques, not hesitating to make a lot of leg-scissors takedown. He will succeed this way against Jeff Smith. In his 1976 fight, always against Jeff Smith, Slocki become more sober and fights with specific full-contact techniques.

Slocki's leg-scissors takedown against Smith (right)

Conclusions :

Wally Slocki is not the principal figure in the development of Karate and Full-Contact. He was opposed to the best fighters and remains one of the participants of this remarkable evolution.

In addition, Wally Slocki has been the only Canadian pioneer of full contact, among all the Americans present.

Netherlands: fights pioneers in Europe

2009-10-25T03:13:00.000-07:00

Introduction :

It's surprising that a so little pacifist and rich country provides a such large number of fighting champions. Although since the eighties, the current champions are often from immigrant backgrounds, Netherlands continue to be the best in these sports.

The purpose of this article is to narrate the beginnings of martial arts with KO, until 1980, and determine the reasons for this success.

At the end of this article is compiled a list of major competitions held by the Batavian fighters and their results.

History :

It is very difficult to match the claims of interested persons and the reality.

We will base our text on the excellent document called "De verharding van het wedstrijdvechten" (unofficial translation : The Hardening of Sport Fights) by Maarten van Bottenburg and Johan Heilbron, investigating for the Ministerie VWS (free translation : Ministry for Health, Welfare and Sport). This document is available on Internet at this address : hbo-kennisbank.uvt.nl/cgi/fontys/show.cgi? Fid = 3637.

We will also refer on various newspaper articles of the time, quoted in the text.

We will also refer to the excellent book of Mr Willem Brunekreef, "The Golden Kyokushin and K1 Encyclopedia".

Furthermore, we will mention the contradictions between the various versions of the events.

A character of legend :

Jon Bluming was born in 1933. He fought at least 1 boxing fight, circa in 1946, then joined the army and was sent to Korea during the war, in 1950. He learned Judo, Karate Kyokushinkai with Mas Oyama and various other martial arts, during his stays in Asia.

He returned to the Netherlands in 1953 and taught in a club named Jen Tung. Jon Bluming says he was part of the team winning the European Championship of Judo in September 1956, in Amsterdam. We note that no European Championship were held in 1956. In 1957, the Championships were held in Rotterdam and Bluming name does not appear on the record, nor in other European or World Championships. Maybe Jon Bluming's team took part in a Club European Championships.

Bluming, 6'5'' for 220 pounds, claims to have beaten the famous Japanese Kaminaga, via a strangulation, in May 1960. In a December 1966 Black-Belt Magazine article, he claims to have beaten Kaminaga at the Kodokan in 1961, during a workout.

Jon Bluming, during a Judo training session at the Kodokan

Bluming is not participating in the World Championships in Paris, in December 1961. His Dutch rival, Anton Geesink, won the gold medal.

According to the January 1969 Black-Belt Magazine article, Bluming was from a federation called "Nederland Amateur Judo Associatie" and Geesink from the "Nederland Jujitsu and Judo Bond". Bluming said that Geesink had refused to meet him on a tatami and only fighters from the Geesink's Federation could participate in international championships.

Bluming has coached Willem Ruska, 1972 Olympic and 1967 and 1971 World Champion.

Bluming founded a Kyokushinkai Federation in January 1962 and runs various championships.

In January 1965, Bluming have received a 6th dan from Mas Oyama, in Kyokushinkai. Oyama would have promise USD 100,000 .-- for the winner of Bluming, and also promise to withdraw his black belt from Bluming for this futur defeat.

Currently, Bluming is a 10th dan black belt in Kyokushinkai and a 9th dan in Judo.

In karate, he coached Jan Plas and Jan Kallenbach. Kallenbach began with Judo, always with Jon Bluming as a professor. Kallenbach won the 1974 gold medal at the European Championships of Traditional Karate, in the Open Category, against the Francis Didier.

Jan Kallenbach (left) in 1972

Charles Dumerniët :

According to Willem Brunekreef's book, "The Golden Kyokushin and K1 Encyclopedia", Charles Dumerniët has organized inter-school and inter-styles Free-Fights, since 1973. His association named IOG, was founded in 1969. Charles Dumerniët was a Taekwondo, Tai-Jitsu and Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. He created the Dutch magazine "Samurai", in 1970. The participants of these Free-Fights tournaments were many, including Tom Harinck, Lucien Carbin and Ron Kuyt. These fights have taken part to the martial arts development in the Netherlands.

Tom Harinck :

Born in 1943, Tom Harinck begins with judo and boxing during his time in the army, with 22 amateur fights, for only 1 loss on points. He works on a boat and discovers the Savate French boxing.

Harinck says in an interview that he trained with Jon Bluming in Kyokushinkai. He says he got a 6th dan in Kyokushinkai, without to say who gave him this black belt. Harinck acknowledged in an interview that Bluming was giving belts too easily. Interview address : http://pancration.net/news/interview-of-tom-harinck-by-russian-website.html. According to other version, Tom Harinck never trained with Bluming, but only for a while with Jan Stapper and that he never received a Karate black belt.

In 1972, Harinck began teaching the fight science in his team named Chakuriki (in Japanese, this word would mean "The power derived from"). His fighters are known among others, for their red kimono.

In 1975, the Chakuriki team meets a Savate French boxing team, in Paris. We don't know the results of the fights. The details of these fighters are mentioned in the list below.

Tom Harinck (right)

From the French Karate Magazine

Poster from the meeting between the Chakuriki and the French Savate

The same year, Harinck received his diplom of Savate french boxing professor, from the the French Federation. In 1976, he founded the NKBB (Nederlands kickboxing Bond), with Jan Plas.

The first kick-boxing fights are held in Netherlands in 1976 and are detailed in the results list below.

Invited in August 1978 in Thailand, the Chakuriki team loses its 5 fights against the Thais. The details are mentioned later. The fighters are coming back in Holland, but Tom Harinck stayed in Thailand to learn the Muay-Thai.

Teams of Thai boxers are also coming to the Netherlands to be confronted with Chakuriki.

Four Chakuriki logos

Note the graphic changing between this four Chakuriki logos. On the two last version, fighting dogs are with an olive branch (peace logo). On the last version, the name of Shihan (Professor or Model in Japanese) has disappeared. The term Savate has been changed with the term Free-Fight.

Tom Harinck has published a book in 1980, called "De ontleende kracht". The free translation can be "The borrowed strengh", maybe a synonym of the Japanese term Chakuriki. Harinck has published a second book, named "Muay Thai or Thai Boxing". He has also published a training video, named "Born to Fight". Short video from this edition : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kfa3rbgiZ0

Tom Harinck's book

Without wishing to become people, we report that in the June 1991 Black Belt Magazine article, Tom Harinck is mentioned as the husband of Saskia Van Rijswijk, famous Dutch fighter woman, in the 1980s. The latter fought against the also famous Lilly Rodriguez, in 1982 (see article over Benny Urquidez).

Saskia Van Rijswijk and Tom Harinck

Jan Plas :

Jan Plas practices first Karate Kyokushinkai with Jon Bluming.

For the European Championships of Traditional Karate in 1974 in London, Jan Plas loses before the final against Geert Leemens/Belgium, in the middleweights.

At the same time, Jan Plas has done pictures for a magazine, with Tom Harinck, in his Dojo, as seen on this picture.

Tom Harinck (left) and Jan Plas

In 1975, Jan Plas visited Tokyo and trained in the Kenji Kurosaki dojo. Kurosaki is a former Kyokushinkai practitioner with Mas Oyama. Kurosaki founded his own fighting style called kickboxing. Kurosaki is related with Jon Bluming and has taught with him in Holland. They have writen together a book about the Karate Kuykushinkai. Kurosaki's Dojo is named Mejiro Gym, given its location in the district of the same name.

The similarity of evolution between Dutch and Japanese Kyokushinkai practitioners is interresting, with this move towards more complete and effective practices.

Back in the Netherlands, Jan Plas founded his own Mejiro Gym.

Jan Plas (right), vs Platje in 1976.

The referee is Tom Harinck

Shortly after the Chakuriki journey in Thailand, the Mejiro Gym will also travel to Thailand to confront with the Thai fighters.

Jan Plas was the professor for Fred Royer, Lucien Carbin, Rob Kaman, Andre Brilleman and Johan Vos, who will found later the famous Vos Gym. We only mention these fighters, because they will have their golden days after 1980, deadline for the period studied here.

The first Dutch performance :

May 17, 1974. during the first tournament of the European professional karate, organized in Berlin by Georg Bruckner (see article: Professional Karate Debuts in Europe), the Dutch are present. In the heavyweights, Frank Brodar/Germany or Yugoslavia, def Ivan Oliviari/Netherlands. The winners will fight against the American selection in Los Angeles (see article: Los Angeles 09.14.1974).

The same day, some European fighters are opposed to an US selection, still with points fights. The American fighters wear protections, while the Europeans are not fitted. In the heavyweights, Jim Butin beats Ivan Oliviari, surrogate for the European Champion, Franc Brodar, injured at his hand.

The US team also visits Holland, at a meeting organized by Jan Stoker, in The Hague. The US fighters first beat a Dutch Taekwondo team, by 25/0.

The Americans also beat a Dutch Kyokushinkai team, composed of practitioners of a rank below the black belt. It has been proposed to the Dutch to fight black belts from their school, but Peter Kredijt, Kyokushinkai team leader, reportedly replied that the Americans were not fighters and that the black belts were too strong for them.

After some hesitation, Peter Kredijt accepts a challenge from Jeff Smith. Kredijt is then sent to the canvas three times, for the count.

29 november 1975. Meeting with Savate French boxing in Paris (possibly at the Meridien Hotel) between a Chakuriki team and French fighters. Robbie Harinck, Ron Kuyt, Gerard Bakker, Jan Kunst and John (Jhon) de Ruyter (Ruiter) have participated in these fights, but we don't know their results. Jan Kunst lost against George Simon and Christian Guillaume wins against an other Dutchman. The same evening occured the Savate European Championship for the featherweights title between Bernard Le Prevost/France and Marc Beaute/Belgium.

John (Jhon) de Ruyter (Ruiter) (right), 1975 in Paris

during combat in Savate

September 21, 1975. At the Deutschlandarena Berlin, a tournament called the European All Style Karate Championships is organized by Bruckner and Mike Anderson, the latter engaged in the production of the event (see article: Full-Contact Development in Europe). It's possible that the Dutch Jan Kunst and Ron Kuyt have won at this tournament ? In his book "Ontleende Kracht", Tom Harinck mentions this victory, with mention about semi-contact karate style.

1976. In an interview given to a German newspaper named Karate Budo, Tom Harinck mentions that in 1976 in Schiedam, Kuyt, De Graaf and Kunst became Europe Champions, possibly in Kick-Boxing or Full Contact ? We found no trace of this European Championship.

May 2, 1976. At Gelsenkirchen, Germany, a tournament called full-contact European Championship is held. (see article: Full-Contact Development in Europe). In the 63-69 kg category, the French Roger Paschy, former member of the Frech Traditional Karate team, won this tournament. He defeated first the John (Jhon) de Ruyter by ko. The appointed Kuyj is mentioned as the 3rd in this category. It could be Ron Kuyt.

The Dutch V.D. Velden (-90.5 kg), and Tuhirima (-63k) finish 1st and 3rd respectively, in their weight classes.

May 31, 1976. A first kick-boxing gala is held in Amsterdam between the Chakuriki and the Mejiro Gym.

We found an article published in Germany, stating the following fights :

De Ruyter (Chakuriki) beats R. Janson (Mejiro) by ko in the 2nd
W. Galenlamp (Mejiro) beats A. Ekkelsoom on points
T. Severs (Chakuriki) beats RW Leedeman by ko in the 2nd
R. Kuyt (Chakuriki) beats J. Boom by ko in the 3rd
Jan Plas (Mejiro) beats G. Platje by ko in the 2nd
E. Cairo (Mejiro) beats F. Karakus (Chakuriki) on points
G. Bakker (Chakuriki) beats J. (Johan?) Vos (Mejiro) by ko
Groningen (Mejiro) def Rompa (Chakuriki) by disqualification
Cabin (Lucien Carbin?) (Mejiro) def Harinck (Schumann) (Chakuriki) by kot
Ladenius (Mejiro) beats C. Brugman by kot

Willem Brunekreef, in his excellent book "The Golden Kokushin and K-1 Encyclopedia", said it was the first European Kickboxing championships and gives different results :

Johnny de Ruiter beats J. Schreve, by ko 2nd; Dennis Zeeger beats Roy Leedeman by ko; Lucien Carbin beats Robbie Schumann by TKO. Robbie Schumann was (not officialy) adopted by Tom Harinck, and he took the name of Harinck for a while.

Jan Plas, left, during the 1st gala kick-boxing,

in 1976, vs Platje

If we make the total of the fights between these two schools, we arrive at 2 wins for Chakuriki and 3 wins for Mejiro Gym.

(For all Championships and Cups WAKO mentioned later, see the articles: First WAKO World Championships and First WAKO European Championships).

April or May 1977. During the first WAKO European Cup, which takes place in Rotterdam/Netherlands, the welterweights final is between George Metz/Netherlands and Slobodan Soboda/Yugoslavia. The light-heavyweights final is between Gerard Bakker/Netherlands and Lip Van de Meer/Netherlands. Hansi Jaensch/West Germany loses against Ivan Menes/Netherlands in the super lightweights final. The Dutch dominated the tournament.

1977. At the 1st European Championships, held by Georg Bruckner in Vienna/Austria, the Dutch obtained the following results : Gold medals : Jan de Graf (+ 84 kg), Gerard Bakker (- 84 kg), H. Rompa in (- 79 kg), Ron Kuyt (- 69 kg). The Netherlands team is ahead of West Germany and Norway.

October 1977. At the 2nd European Cup held in Vienna/Austria, the German lightweight Hans Jaensch beats R. Harinck (Schumann) on points. During the preliminary fights, Kemal Zeriat beats the Dutch Ron Kuyt. Zeriat had lost against him twice before. The Germans dominate the tournament.

August 1978. A Chakuriki team gwent to Bangkok, to fight against Thai boxers. The Thais names are phonetic.
Pasal Sittiboonlert beats Ron Kuyt by ko in the 2nd
Sakata Porntawe beats Robby Harinck (Schumann) by ko in 1st round
Sriprae Kiatsompob def Imro Van Hattan by ko 1st
Satanfah Sor Pratiep beats Faisal Karakus by ko in the 2nd
Ekachai Sitmorart beats K. Ramikisoen by ko 1st

Article about the 1978 Chakuriki journey in Thailand

May 1978. During the 2nd European Championships, held in Wolfsburg/West Germany, possibly by Georg Bruckner, Ivan Menes (-63 kg) won the gold medal. For teams, West Germany is ahead of the Netherlands and Yugoslavia.

December 1978. At the 3rd European Cup, which takes place in Basel/Switzerland, a month after the WC of Berlin, Ivan Menes wins the category -63 kg.

1979. During the 3rd European Championships, held in Milan/Italy by Ennio Falsoni, Roufs won the bronze medal - 79 kg.

November 5, 1978. During the first WAKO World Championships in West Berlin, Ivan Menes won the gold medal of the -63 kg category. The US team is first, followed by West Germany and the Dominican Republic, Netherlands are only 4th.

February 25, 1979. In Amsterdam, Patrick Brizon/France beats Ron Kuyt for the European kick-boxing title .

3 and November 4, 1979. During the 2nd WAKO World Championships in Tampa/Florida/USA, organized by Mike Anderson, F. Okkonowiak won the bronze medal for the category - 79 kg.

1980. Ron Kuyt loses against Andre Brilleman in kick-boxing before the limit. We will not mention the whole career of Andre Brilleman, which will have a final record of 16-1-1 and beat Howard Jackson in 1984 for the WKA title (see the article on Howard Jackson). Link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HepnXZ-2h-4

Date unknown (before 1978). Amsterdam. A Thai team led by Roger Paschy/France (see the article : Roger Paschy), met the Dutch team. All Thais lose before the limit. Lucien Carbin wins in the 2nd round. Harinck (Robbie ?) wins his fight too. Ron Kuyt beats Roger Paschy by retirement for an injury, at the beginning of the 2nd round.

Date unknown (after 1976). Amsterdam. Frans Otten Stadion. A match between Thai boxers against a Dutch selection. All Batavian fighters win their fight, Lucien Carbin vs Srinop, Ron Kuyt vs S. Boonlod, Faisal Karakus vs S. Sangsrithong and Andre Brilleman vs C. Topruska (according to the pub for the meeting). We note that there is a video of a fight between Brilleman and Boonlod, date 4/7/1979. We don't know if this is the same night. Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WacrCyTYhCI

Date unknown (during an evening fight with Dominique Valera and after the fight above mentionned). Ron Kuyt beats Kamel Zeriat/Germany on points and Bakker beats François Petitdemange/France, also on points.

Conclusions :

We see a clear affiliation between Kyokushinkai imported in Holland by Jon Bluming and its legs kicks, with the evolution of its practitioners to kick-boxing with its low-kicks or to Muay Thai, with its knees and elbows kicks, sometimes allowed.

The Dutch have started to practice "full-contact fights" before the arrival of fhe official karate full-contact in Europe, their first success could be explained by this advance.

Please note that the Dutch fighters dominated full-contact, kick-boxing, Savate French boxing as Thai-boxing.

Moreover, competition between Tom Harinck and Jan Plas, and Johan Vos after 1980, may also explain a part of the Dutch success.

Everett "Monster Man" Eddy

2009-07-18T06:36:00.001-07:00

Introduction :

Everett Eddy was born in 1946 or 1947 and lived in Detroit/USA.

He practiced football and wrestling at school. In the martial arts, he began with Korean karate (Taekwondo), with Johnny Lee, a future opponent for Ross Scott. As competitor, Eddy weighs 235 pounds (107 kg) for 6 feet, or 183 cm. For these reasons, he receives the nickname "Monster Man".

Competition debuts :

In 1971, during the First Midwest Tang Soo Do Championships, Eddy Everett beats Neil Ehrlich, 160 pounds, from the lightweight division, for the Grand Champion title. Previously, Eddy beats James LaRocco, for the heavyweights title.

Eddy is part of the Ohio champion team. In 1972, he is part of the Michigan team champion.

In 1973 or 1974, at the Michigan Invitational, he loses in the finals against Flem Evans, with USD 1,000 .-- for the winner. Both fighters are opposed in a ring and wear protections.

Flem Evans, left, vs Everett Eddy

In 1973, at the USKA Grand National , Eddy wins against Shelton Parker.

In 1973, Eddy beats John Natividad in the preliminaries for the Four Seasons Nationals, before losing against Kijewski, for excessive contact.

In 1973 at the Battle of Atlanta, Everett Eddy def Larry Reinhardt, before losing against Jeff Smith in the semi-finals. Thereafter, Everett Eddy finishes third, before Bill Wallace.

In 1973, at the First Annual Open Championships Tae Kwon Do, Eddy Parker wins against Parker Shelton.

In 1973 ?, at the Tri-Cities tournament in Indiana, for the karate pro, Eddy loses against Bill Wallace, for the Grand Champion title.

1974 a successful year :

1974 : Jeff Smith loses against Ernest Russel for the U.S. championships, after defeating Everett Eddy. Smith def Everett Eddy again during the teams tournament.

Early in 1974 at the Battle of Atlanta : Howard Jackson wins the title, defeating Mike Warren in the finals. For the 3rd place, Jeff Smith def Everett Eddy on points 3-2.

In May 1974, at the National Hidy Ochiai's Karate Classic, Eddy wins the Grand Champions against Jeff Smith, after beating Charles Curry, who has defeated Joe Lewis during the same tournament. The Grand Champion wins USD 1,000 .--.

1974: Eddy wins against Dave Ruppert (Ruppart) at the Northern States Karate Championships, with $ 1000 bonus to the winner. Previously, he beats Big Ed Daniel, Flem Evans and Parker Shelton.

In June 1974, Ross Scott def Everett Eddy for the USKA Grand Nationals, managing to send Eddy to the mat during the bout. Scott is only a brown belt and wins the heavyweight title.

In July 1974, during the Top Ten Nationals Professional Karate, Everett Eddy beats Joe Lewis by 6-4. The winner receives USD 500 .--. The score is 2-2 after the first round. Eddy tears up the sleeve of his Gi during the rest. Lewis reachs Eddy with a punch and sends him outside of the canvas. Eddy wins the fight by 6-4. Note that Lewis had taken over 21 lbs since his return to competition, in early May 1974.

Everett Eddy, left, vs Joe Lewis

During this period of time, Everett Eddy is mentioned as one of the best heavyweights in the U.S. rankings, published by the magazines.

World Series of Martial Arts :

05.161975 : (see the separate article), for the heavyweights, Everett "Monster Man" Eddy beats Sammy Pace by a heavy ko in the 2nd round, with a series of kicks and punch. Thereafter, Dana Goodson beats Ken Bell, by ko in the 3rd. In the finals, Everett Eddy def Dana Goodson. Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba9AgpwW-8c

06.21.1975 : Everett Eddy beats Duke Sabedong, boxer with a record of 17 wins (12 by ko), 16 losses, (4 ko) and 2 draws (ref boxrec). Living in Hawaii, Sabedong is already 45 years old. His career ended in 1964. He lost in 1961, against the young Muhammad Ali (aka Cassius Clay), on points in ten rounds.

Victor Rapoza beats Chris Michael before the limit, during the semifinals.

In the finals, Victor Rapoza beats Eddy, by ko in the 2nd. Rapoza dominates during the first round and both fighters exchange punches in the 2nd round, when a left followed by a right sent Eddy to the canvas, for ten and more.

Everett Eddy, after his fight vs Victor Rapoza

Boxing against Full-Contact :

On 06.08.1975, at the World of Fighting Arts Spectacular in Ottawa/Canada, Eddy loses by ko against a boxer named Horst Geisler, during a mixed arts fight.

According to September 1975 Oriental Fighting Arts magazine, Horst Geisler weighs 295 pounds (133 kg) and is 6'9''(ca. 205 cm) with a record of 14 fights, 14 wins before the limit. According to the site Boxrec, Geisler is only 6'6''(196 cm), weighs 258 lbs (117 kg) and has already lost 2 fights for 7 wins, in 1975. His final record will be 12 wins for 6 losses, including one by ko in the first round against Trevor Berbick, opponent of Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes. In 1977, Geisler wins a fight against Chuck Wepner (another opponent of Muhammad Ali), by ko in the 10th round.

The referees of the match between Eddy and Geisler are Joe Lewis and George Chuvalo, former opponent of Muhammad Ali too. In the first round, Eddy kicks Geisler and can sweep his opponent, who falls to the canvas. In the second round, Geisler ko Eddy with a left hook followed by a right.

Geisler, left, against Everett Eddy

Full-Contact :

It should be noted that at the end of the first world championship PKA in 1974 (see article about this subject), Everett Eddy is heralded as the future challenger for Joe Lewis.

In 1976, at the Windy City Pro/Am Karate Championships, during the Full-Contact tournament , Everett Eddy fights against Jack Bonner. The latter does not give the six mandatory kicks during the first round. Eddy is counted 4 in the 2nd round. Eddy wins the fight, as Bonner has still not given enough kicks in the 3rd round.

In April 1977, Las-Vegas : Ross Scott def Everett Eddy, by ko in 1st round, for the PKA world title. Video Clip : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=HsvqDs30-L4. Before the fight, Eddy's record is announced as 16 wins and 1 defeat.

We do not know his other full-contact fights.

Wrestling :

In August 1977, during a mixed arts tournament in Tokyo, Everett Eddy meets Antonio Inoki, a Japanese wrestler, who had lived in Brazil. The end result is a win by ko in the 5th round for Inoki. Video clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PjbxMC65OU and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7CQ82ej_P8

Antonio Inoki, left, in front of Everett Eddy, 1st fight

In 1978, a return fight is organized between the two fighters, in Japan. This time, Inoki wins by ko in the 7th round.

Style :

During his fights, Everett Eddy is very fast and also makes flying kicks, what is rare for his weight division. He is often considered too brutal during the competition.

He will also be able to fight under different rules, against very various adversaries, and he will adapt his style.

Conclusions :

Everett Eddy is often mentioned in magazines of the time and is heralded as the future world champion. Despite this announcement, he will never receive the promised glory, losing his most important fights.

First European WAKO championships in 1977 1978 and 1979

2009-05-12T09:28:00.000-07:00

Introduction :

The so-called 1976 European Championships Full-Contact, were organized by Georg Bruckner in Gelsenkirchen, see article below "Development of Full-Contact in Europe". They were a selection for the USA vs Europe meeting in Paris and were not recognized by any federation. The WAKO was created only in 1977.

The first European Championships, reserved for amateurs, are an integral part of the WAKO history. The purpose of this article is to detail them and also the various tournaments, which preceded them.

For the WAKO history, please refer to the article "PKA, WAKO, WKA and other federations".

The first European Cup takes place in Rotterdam/Netherlands, around April or May 1977. These partial results are listed in the German Top Ten Karate, published at an unknown date.

For the middleweights final, George Metz/Netherlands is opposed to Slobodan Soboda/Yugoslavia. For the light-heavyweights final, Gerard Bakker/Netherlands is opposed to Lip Van de Meer/Netherlands.

Metz (left) against Soboda

Van de Meer (left) against Bakker

Jorg Schmidt/West Germany (present at Gelsenkirchen and Paris in 1976, see the article cited above) should give up before the final and wins the second place. Hansi Jaensch/West Germany loses against Ivan Menes/Netherlands, in the final for the lightweights. In the flyweights, Lan-Ung Kim/West Germany (present at Gelsenkirchen and Paris in 1976, see the article cited above) loses in the final against the Norwegian Max Mankowitz.

The Dutch dominated the tournament. They are more routine, via their kick-boxing tradition.

The 1st European Championships :

They are organized in 1977 in Vienna/Austria by Georg Bruckner. The results are as follows:

84 + kg:
1) Jan Graf (Netherlands)
2) Kunibert Back (West Germany)
3) Gianni Rugliancic (Italy)

Kunibert Back's career is mentioned in the article "Development of Full-Contact in Europe". Kunibert Back, as Dieter Herdel, Jorg Schmidt and Lan-Ung Kim, has fought against the best professionals in the 1976 tournament USA vs. Europe. They are now present in this amateur competition. It proves an interpenetration of professionals and amateurs at this time.

-84 Kg:
1) Gerad Bakker (Netherlands)
2) Maurice Moore (West Germany)
3) Vittorio Caselli (Italy)

-79 Kg:
1) H. Rompa (Netherlands)
2) Bert de Frel (Netherlands)
3) J. Schepers (Netherlands)

-74 Kg:
1) Peter Harbrecht (West Germany)
2) Serge Metz (Netherlands)
3) Aalstede (Netherlands)

-69 Kg:
1) Ron Kuyt (Netherlands)
2) Kemal Zeriat (West Germany)
3) Jorg Schmidt (West Germany)

-63 Kg:
1) Hansi Jaensch (West Germany)
2) Martin Giesselmann (West Germany)
3) Ivan Menes (Netherlands)

Ivan Menes, right, during the Cup in Basel

-57 Kg:
1) Max Mankowitz (Norway)
2) Ali Pehlivan (West Germany)
3) Jerome Canabate (Switzerland)

Teams competition. The Netherlands are first, West Germany second and Norway third.

According to the German Karate newspaper, published at an unknown date, the 2nd European Cup is held in October 1977 in Vienna/Austria. During the preliminary fights, J. Schepers is disqualified against Daryl Tyler. The latter has to leave the tournament in the future. For the flyweights, the German Ali Phelivan beats the Norwegian Max Mankowitz on points. In the lightweights, the German Hans Jaensch beats the Dutch R. Harinck, on points.

In the lightweights, the German Kemal Zeriat beats Alfred Blum via retirement during the 2nd round. During the preliminary fights, Kemal Zeriat beats Ron Kuyt/Netherlands. Zeriat had already lost twice before, against Kyut. The Germans dominate the tournament.

The 2nd European Championships :

They are organized in May 1978, at Wolfsburg/Est Germany, possibly by Georg Bruckner. The results were as follows:

87 + kg:
1) Tom Rissmann (West Germany)
2) Milan Rokvic (Yugoslavia)
3) Manfred Vogt (West Germany)

-87 Kg:
1) Maurice Moore (West Germany)
2) Flavio Galessi (Italy)
3) Gianni Rugliancic (Italy)

-79 Kg:
1) Daryl Tyler (West Germany)
2) Dieter Herdel (West Germany) (present at Gelsenkirchen and Paris in 1976, see the article cited above)
3) Bernd Eggert (West Germany)

-74 Kg:
1) Peter Harbrecht (West Germany)
2) Klaus Lutze (West Germany)
3) Slobodan Sobota (Yugoslavia)

-69 Kg:
1) Omar Salhi (Norway)
2) Javier Muniz (Netherlands)
3) Tone Spiljak (Yugoslavia)

-63 Kg:
1) Ivan Menes (Netherlands)
2) Rafiq Jamali (West Germany)
3) Gunter Dienstl (Austria)

-57 Kg:
1) Ali Pehlivan (West Germany)
2) Constantinos Goris (West Germany)
3) Johnny Canabate (Switzerland)

Teams competition. West Germany beats the Netherlands and Yugoslavia.

A semi-contact Tournament is also organized during these European Championships.

For the first World Championships in Berlin, organized in November 1978, see the article "The first WAKO World Championships".

The 3rd European Cup takes place in Basel, on 9th December, 1978, a month after the Berlin WC. The French Karate newspaper, published at an unknown date, mentions this tournament, deploring the fights low level. This newspaper also states that some fighters are wearing a head protection. That would have been forbidden by the rules.

Poster of the Cup, in 1978, Basel

The winners of their category are Johnny Canabate - 57 kg (Switzerland), Ivan Menes in - 63 kg (Netherlands), Zenaf in - 69 kg (France) - 73 kg Sobota (Yugoslavia), Jean-Marc Tonus - 79 kg (Switzerland), Flavio Galessi - 84 kg (Italy) and Jean-Luc Widehem + 84 kg (France). Jean-Luc Widehem beats Manfred Vogt in the semi-finals.

Zenaf (right)

3rd European Championships :

They are organized in 1979 in Milan/Italy by Ennio Falsoni. The results were as follows:

84 + kg:
1) Tom Rissman (West Germany)
2) Manfred Vogt (West Germany)
3) Rigo Maurizio (Italy)

Manfred Vogt (right) against Ehmann

-84 Kg:
1) Branko Zgaljardic (Yugoslavia)
2) Flavio Galessi (Italy)
3) Hovelsrud (Norway)

Flavio Galessi (right) at the Basel Cup

-79 Kg:
1) Branko Cikatić (Yugoslavia)
2) Jean-Marc Tonus (Switzerland)
3) Roufs (Netherlands)

-74 Kg:
1) Peter Harbrecht (West Germany)
2) Erling (Norway)
3) A. Tommei (Switzerland)

-69 Kg:
1) Mack Ferdinand (West Germany)
2) Kemal Zeriat (West Germany)
3) Colapietro (Belgium)

-63 Kg:
1) Klaus Friedhaber (West Germany)
2) Jimmie Barletta (Belgium)
3) Jorg Leuk-Emden (West Germany)

-57 Kg:
1) Jerome Canabate (Italy)
2) Boffa (Switzerland)
3) Johnny Canabate (Italy)

The Canabate brothers fought previously for Switzerland.

Teams competition. West Germany beats Yugoslavia and Italy.

A semi-contact tournament is also organized during these European Championships.

In autumn 1979, the 2nd WC is organized in Florida, see article "The first WAKO World Championships".

Where are they now ?

Galessi, Herdel, Tonus, Haller, Tyler and Cikatic are mentioned in the article "The first WAKO World Championships".

Conclusions :

The European Cups and Championships allowed European fighters to improve their abilities. The difference between the Americans and the Europeans was obvious at Los Angeles in 1974 and Paris in 1976.

This progress will appear during the 1979 World Championships in Florida, with the lack of success for the American team.

First WAKO World Championships in 1978 and 1979

2009-03-20T05:03:00.000-07:00

Introduction :

The aim of this article is to discover the history of the first World Championships organized by the WAKO. Unfortunately, no video of these tournaments is available.

The WAKO is formed in 1977 and its history is mentioned in the article of this blog (PKA, WAKO, WKA and other associations) devoted to the various federations. In 1976, Georg Bruckner organizes an European Championship, recognized by any federation, in Gelsenkirchen. This event is the subject of another article in this blog (Full-Contact development in Europe).

In 1977, after creating the WAKO, Georg Bruckner organizes the 1st European Championships in Vienna.

5 November 1978: 1st WAKO World Championships in West-Berlin

The competitors are coming from 18 countries.

The fights take place on a platform, without a ring. Fighters wear trousers and are torso naked, without a helmet.

The results in full-contact are :

84 kg:
1) Tony Palmore (USA)
2) Tom Rissman (West Germany)
3) Harold Ehmann (Austria)

Tony Palmore (red trouser) vs. Renzo Lencioni/Italy

-84 Kg:
1) Branko Zgaljardic (Yugoslavia)
2) Dirk Peter (West Germany)
3) Nils Hovlsrud (Norway)

-79 Kg:
1) Daryl Tyler (USA, sometimes referred as West Germany)
2) Nelson Colon (Dominican Republic)
3) Bernd Eggert (West Germany)

Daryl Tyler, right, vs a Yugoslavian fighter, in full-contact

On 18.07.1978, Daryl Tyler loses against Bill Wallace, for the World Championship pro title, by ko in the 6th round. This shows once more the mix between professionals and amateurs at that time.

-74 Kg:
1) Peter Harbrecht (West Germany)
2) Harold Roth (USA)
3) Enric Gunning (Netherlands)

Left, Peter Harbrecht (white trousers) in a preliminary fight.
Right, in the finals vs Harold Roth

-69 Kg:
1) Omar Sahli (Norway)
2) Youssef Zenaf (France)
3) Heinz Klupp (West Germany)

-63 Kg:
1) Ivan Menes (Netherlands)
2) Chalabi Bennacef (France)

-57 Kg:
1) Jose Caballos (Dominican Republic)
2) Johnny Canabate (Switzerland)
3) Rachid Alitem (Belgium)

Fort the teams competition, the USA are first, followed by West Germany and the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands are only 4th.

In 1979, in Milan, the 2nd European Championships are organized by Ennio Falsoni.

3 and 4 November 1979, 2nd WAKO World Championships in Tampa/Florida/ USA :

These Championships are organized by Mike Anderson.

Unfortunately, we have no pictures of the full-contact competition. We know nothing about protections and ring.

The results are as follows:

84 kg:
1) Tony Palmore (USA)
2) Harold Ehmann (Austria)
3) Mladen Carevic (Yugoslavia)

Tony Palmore, who starts with judo, wins the USKA Grand National Championship title in traditional karate and the Sunshine State Karate Olympics in 1977. He wins the World Championships in 1978 and becomes professional. He will beat Anthony Elmore for the PKA title. In 1981, he had a record of 20 wins for 2 losses. Tony Palmore seems to have fight in wrestling, one in 1995 in Tokyo, losing against a man named Sting.

-84 Kg:
1) Flavio Galessi (Italy)
2) Branko Zgalijardic (Yugoslavia)
3) Juan Ponce (Switzerland)
3) Gary Sproule (USA)

Flavio Galessi, 2nd in the 1979 European Championships, turns pro. He beats Dominique Valera in November 1980, by tko on injury (see article about Dominique Valera in this blog).

-79 Kg:
1) Jean Marc Tonus (Switzerland)
2) Dieter Herdel (West Germany)
3) Benny Hedlund (Sweden)
3) F. Okkonowiak (Netherlands)

Jean-Marc Tonus becomes world light heavyweights pro champion in 1987, for the ISKA, vs Rob Thurman. He loses a fight against Rob Kaman, for the European title in 1984.

Dieter Herdel loses by ko in the 1st round, against Bill Wallace in 1976, in Paris. Dieter Herdel will be second at the WAKO European Championships in 1981.

-74 Kg:
1) Franz Haller (Italy)
2) Harold Roth (USA)
3) Alfred Tommei (Switzerland)
3) Branko Cikatić (Yugoslavia)

Franz Haller still wins the world title in WAKO pro in 1981, vs Alfred Tommei/Switzerland, on points. He will defend this title many times before losing it against Youssef Zenaf/France, in 1984. He loses again vs Zenaf during the rematch and will still fight for many years.

Branko Cikatić, born in 1954, will have an incredible career, from 1972 to 1999, in full-contact, K1 and MMA.

Branko Cikatić will be European Champion in 1980 in London and in Dublin in 1981, his record has 156 amateur fights, for 152 wins and 4 defeats. In 1981, he becomes WAKO World Champion, in -79 kg.

-69 Kg:
1) Mack Ferdinand (West Germany)
2) Javier Reyes (Dominica)
3) Sandry Ravessoud (Switzerland)
3) Walter Parlovic (Yugoslavia)

-63 Kg:
1) Ali Pehlivan (West Germany)
2) Godfrey Butler (Great Britain)
3) Johnny Mirer (Switzerland)
3) Jimmy Barletta (Belgium)

-57 Kg:
1) Howard Brown (Great Britain)
2) Michael Kuhr (West Germany)
3) Jesus Duran (Dominica)
3) Max Mankowitz (Norway)

For the teams competition, Germany is first, before Italy and the USA.

Conclusions for the World Championships :

The organization of these two World Championships allows the amateur full-contact world to grow and gain recognition, which was at that time only for professionals.

Many fighters will become World Champion in the professional rank.

Jean-Claude Van Damme's enigma :

At the time of this Championship, Jean-Claude Van Damme is still named Jean-Claude Van Vaerenbergh.

Internet Version :

Concerning the JCVD full-contact career, the internet version is that he has a record of 10-0 before participating in the 1979 WAKO Championships in Florida. Sometimes, details are given on Van Damme's fights for these Championships :

In his first fight scheduled for 2 x 2 minutes, Jean-Claude Van Damme would have defeated Sherman Bergman/USA, before the limit, in the 1st round.

In the second match, Jean-Claude Van Damme would have beaten Gilberto Dias/Portugal (Taekwondo) in the 1st round, for injuries.

In the quarter-finals, Van Damme would have lost on points in 2 rounds, vs Patrick Teugels/Belgium.

Corrected version :

Patrick Teugels is at the WAKO World Championships in 1979, but in semi-contact. The results of his weight division are:

-69 Kg:
1) Andreas Brannasch (West Germany)
2) Teugels (Belgium)
3) Goyvaerts (Morocco)

Brannasch, left, facing Teugels

Teugels' fights at these Championships are :

1. De Coninck Netherlands, won 4-0
2. Wilson/? Ireland, won 6-5
3. Franki Luigi/Italy won 6-4
4. Finals: Andreas Brannasch/West Germany, lost 1-2

Wilson, left, facing Teugels

Semi-contact or full contact :

If Teugels would have beaten Van Damme, it would have been in semi-contact, and not in full-contact.

No newspaper article mention Jean-Claude Van Damme :

In 1979, Van Damme is still Van Vaerenbergh. An article is published in the newspaper Samurai from Belgium, 25.01.1980, page 13, written in Dutch by André Le Capitaine. This article mentions the presence of the Belgian fighters for the Championships. No Van Vaerenbergh is mentioned. Address to read this article: http://www.patrickteugels.be/interviewwithpatrickteugels.php

A Van Damme is quoted in the article of Samurai, but his Christian name is Rudy (Van Damme). He fights in the -74 kg and Teugels is in the -69kg. Rudy is eliminated in his first match, against an American, still in semi-contact, by 4-6.

We had contact with Patrick Teugels, who confirmed the version on the absence of Jean-Claude Van Damme of these championships. You can read his interview on Internet at the following address: http://www.patrickteugels.be/interviewwithpatrickteugels.php

We have many other articles of the time. They all mention the presence of Rudy Van Damme and do not mention the presence of a Van Vaerenbergh.

Other fights between Teugels and Van Damme :

To be clearer, Teugels beats twice Van Damme in semi-contact before the World Championships in 1979. The first fight is in 1977, during an International Open in Belgium. The second time is in 1978, for the Belgian championships.

Teugels, left, vs Jean-Claude Van Damme, aka Van Vaerenbergh, 1978

Van Damme will beat Teugels after the World Championships in full-contact, in another fight in Belgium, via TKO in the 1st round, following a nose injury. This fight takes place in 1980, before the pro title fight between Dan Macaruso and Dominique Valera.

Teugels, on the canvas, facing Van Damme.
Teugels standing, wounded in the nose, 1980

Conclusions for Jean-Claude Van Damme :

We can not be affirmative about the presence or absence of Jean-Claude Van Damme in the World Championships in Tampa, but we have found no pictures or video about his presence.

We have found a multitude of newspaper articles referring to the presence of the Belgian team, and none mentions a Jean-Claude Van Damme or Van Vaerenbergh.

After all, the opinion of everyone is free, as in any good democracy ...

Was American Karate only Taekwondo ?

2008-12-23T07:29:00.000-08:00

Introduction :

The purpose of this article is to see if, during the sixties or seventies, American karate was largely made of Korean Taekwondo practitioners, declared or not. This article also mentions the various first Taekwondo World Championships.

Brief history of Taekwondo :

It is very difficult to be sure about the Taekwondo roots. We will not mention the various historical versions, changes of names and schools. It would be too boring.

From the Western Middle Ages time, fighting techniques with bare hands have been developed in Korea. The contributions of Kung-Fu and Karate neighbours are undeniable, given the proximity of China and the invasion by Japan, in the twentieth century.

Released in 1945, Korea was divided into two parts. Traditional martial arts were still alive and not unified. Korean War took place from 1950 to 1953, with a strong U.S. intervention.

Choi Hong Hi :

General Choi is a karate black belt, after a period of his life in Japan, before World War II. At the end of this war, he returns to South Korea and becomes a soldier.

In 1955, Choi Hong Hi, a Chung Do Kwan practitioner, proposes the name of Taekwondo (the kicks and punches way), to several teachers, gathered together to unify the various existing schools (Kwan). The Korean Taekwondo Association is created in 1959 to facilitate the unification. The role played by various military officers during this unification has something to do with the teaching of Taekwondo in the army.

General Choi creates the ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) in 1966. He is forced to leave South Korea in 1971. General Choi wanted to teach Taekwondo in North Korea, but the South refused this project. ITF then moves its headquarters out of South Korea, in Toronto/Canada.

General Choi Hong Hi

The WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) is founded in 1973 in South Korea and replaces the ITF in this country. The WTF is recognized by the South Korean government, but many American instructors are not affiliated with this federation. The Olympic Committee recognizes the WTF in 1980.

Un Yong Kim :

Un Yong Kim, former Secretary to the Prime Minister , diplomat and former head of presidential protection forces, is elected president of the Korean Taekwondo Association in 1971. He participates in the building of the Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo centre. He becomes the WTF president in 1973, at its foundation.

Un Yong Kim is Vice-President of the Organizing Committee for the Seoul Olympics Games in 1988. Taekwondo is introduced during these Games, as a demonstration sport.

He joins the IOC in 1986 and becomes its Vice-President in 1992.

He retires from the WTF in 2004 and from the IOC in 2005, following several cases of corruption. One of this case concerns the determination of the Olympic cities and other concern sport corruption in Korea. Un Yong Kim is ultimately sentenced to 2 years in jail.

Tang Soo Do :

In the United States, the term Tang Soo Do is frequently used during the 60s and 70s. It is very difficult to make a history of this art, which emerge from one of the Kwan above mentioned, the Moo Duk Kwan. This branch has refused the Taekwondo unification. Thereafter, the Tang Soo Do has been divided into various families. The Tang Soo Do techniques have been very influenced by Japanese karate. Tang So Do means "The way of Chinese hand", as the japanese term "Karate Do".

USA :

The presence of U.S. troops in Korea, following the military intervention during Korean war, has allowed many GI to learn Taekwondo and to import this Martial Art in the USA. At the same time, Taekwondo (or the South Korean government) will send Korean instructors, all over the world, to teach their sport.

For example, Jack Hwang practices Taekwondo since his early childhood. After a time in the Korean army, Hwang arrives in 1957 in the USA and teaches martial arts. He has, among others, Mike Stone as a student. Hwang is a Taekwondo (then named Karate) precursor in the U.S. South-West.

Chuck Norris, left, facing Skipper Mullins, both Taekwondo practitioners.

In 1956, Rhee Jhoon (see his article in this blog) arrives in Texas and brings Taekwondo in this country. In reality, he teaches Tang Soo Do and uses the term Karate to describe his sport to the American public. One of his students is Allen Steen.

Allen Steen takes over Jhoon Rhee's school, after the latter's departure to Washington. Steen is considered as the father of karate in Texas. Pat Burleson, already practicing Karate, becomes one of his students.

Allen Steen creates the Texas Karate Institute in 1962, with Richard Jenkins. This 'Made in Texas" Karate, Taekwondo in reality, is known to be tough and with high level of contact.

Steen creates the Southwest Karate Black Belt Association in 1964 in Dallas/Texas. It becomes the American Black Belt Karate Association in 1972 and adds to it the name "Chin Sook Hage Kwan" in 1981. Skipper Mullins and Roy Kurban are his students.

Henry Cho, from Korea, arrives in the USA. in 1958. He teaches Taekwondo in this country, creating many schools all around the country. Henry Cho also organizes the All American Open Tournament of Champions, which includes Taekwondo and Karate.

Byong Yu is an interesting character of this period. This Korean arrives in the USA in 1964. He takes part in many American tournaments, against various bigger and heavier opponents.

Various American Taekwondo fighters :

Chuck Norris (see his article in this blog) is a perfect example of the karate fighter, who was practicing Tang So Doo. He was in the army, in Korea, in 1958.

In 1966, Norris takes part to the Tang Soo Do Invitational Tournament, held in Washington/DC. He loses against John Camanse, in the prelims, in the middleweights division.

In 1967, Norris wins the American Tang Soo Do Championships. It proves that separate competitions existed in the U.S. for Korean Martial Arts practitioners. He defeats Skipper Mullins for the Grand Champion finals. Shorin-Ryu and Burmese Bando Fighters also take part in these championships (Black Belt March 1968).

Chuck Norris wears often a white uniform lined with black, typical of Taekwondo (Dobok).

Ernest H. Lieb in action

In 1967, Ernest H Lieb, German born but American naturalized, is in the Army in Korea, from 1962 to 1964. He takes part to various tournaments in the country, wins 12 finals and 3 second places. He wins among others Taesoo-do Championships, in Namsam/Korea, in the lightweights, and Chi Kwan Do Championships. He will create the American Karate Association, after his return to the USA and will compete in karate.

In 1968, in Sacramento/California, a tournament takes place between a Korea team and the USA. Joe Lewis and Ron Marchini are part of the American team. Lewis def Ju Kim Hum, after a violent and unfair fight. Marchini also meets Ju Hum Kim and also wins after a bloody match for Marchini's face. Lewis vs Byung (Byong) Yu, Captain of the Korean team, is violent and Lewis appears to have won. The U.S. wins by 8 victories to 7 defeats (Black Belt November 1968).

Jeff Smith (see his article in this blog) is also a Taekwondo practitioner and a former Jhoon Rhee and Allen Steen's student.

Mitchell Bobrow receives his black belt from Ki Whang Kim in 1965. Bobrow is often mentioned as one of the best karate fighters and is member of the U.S. team during the 1st WUKO World Championships Karate in 1970, in Tokyo. In 1968, in Philadelphia, Bobrow, 17 years old, beats Joe Lewis, at the Tae Gyun Tourney. Joe Lewis was the winner at the end of the fight, but an overtime has been decided, during which Mitchell Bobrow beats his opponent. Bobrow loses in the finals to Dutcher (Black Belt January 1969).

In the 70s, the AAU National Taekwondo Association already exists. The United States Taekwondo Union (USTU) will absorb it, and will become the USA Taekwondo (USAT), linked to the WTF. Henry Cho is one of the members of this association.

WTF World Championships :

The Taekwondo needs to grow and to gain world recognition. To do this, the WTF, newly formed, organizes the World Championships, three years after the WUKO had done the same thing for karate.

May 25 to 27, 1973. Seoul/South Korea.

This paragraph is based on the November 1973 Black Belt magazine.

17 nations take part in this first World Championship, in the Kukkiwon. Fighters wear already a blue or red plastron, without other protection. The punches to the face are forbidden, but the kicks are allowed.

The U.S. Central and West Team are quickly eliminated, the latter vs Mexico.

The U.S. East Team loses his first match against Korea, by 2 to 0. U.S. beats after West Germany and Taiwan, by 3 to 2. In the finals, South Korea wins against the USA East Team, by 3.5 to 1.5. Taiwan finishes 3rd and Mexico 4th.

Team U.S. East Team is composed of Mike Warren, Archie Cole, Joseph Hayes, Albert Cheeks, Jim Butin, and coach Jack Hwang or David Kim ?, depending on the versions.

Fred Absher, left, at the World Championships.

In the individuals, 2 categories of weight are planned, light and heavyweights, each won by Koreans. You can see the medals record under.

In the heavyweights, Mike Warren loses against Jung Tae Kim in the finals. Albert Almond Cheeks finishes 3rd and Raymond B. Sell 4th.

In the lightweights, Joe Hayes finishes 3rd, beyind Ki-Hyung Lee (Kee-Hyung Lee) and Charero/West Germany ?, and Georg Karrenberg (West-Germany) 4th.

Un Yong Kim gives the team medal

Mike Warren, right, face Uee-Sung Kawg, during the team finals.

August, 28 to 31, 1975. Seoul / South Korea.

During the second World Championships, 30 nations are represented. South Korea Team wins the competition, Taiwan is 2nd and Mexico 3rd. The U.S. team is composed by William Felton, Gerard Robbins, Dennis Robinson, Terrance Watson, Frank Rodriguez, Gary Mule, Clark Murphy, Robert Philips and John Holloway.

Program of the second World Championships

In the individuals, are 8 weight divisions. Only Dennis Robinson wins a medal, a bronze in the bantams. The South Koreans wins 8 gold medals.

ITF World Championships :

Like the karate IAKF Federation, the second World Taekwondo Federation, ITF, organizes its own World Championships.

October 4 to 5, 1974. Montreal / Canada.

This paragraph comes from the February 1975 Black Belt magazine issue.

Four categories of competition are planned, including the breaking, the flying kicks, forms and freesparring.

Javier Dacak Frutos/Argentina wins the gold medal in the breaking.

Anto Nobilo, Croatia, won the silver medal.

In freesparring, the American John L Hooloway wins the gold medal in the heavyweights, Don James/Canada, in the middleweights and Do Hee Lee/Korea, in the lightweights. Hooloway arrives at the second places in breaking. He also takes part in the WTF 1977 and 1979 World Championships, with two bronze medals, still in the heavyweights.

Kang Kwang Ho/Venezuela, left, against Maurizzo Calizzia/Italy

Teams competition. The USA are first, Netherlands 2nd and Canada 3rd.

A question still remains. How strong was the Korea team, because the ITF was very poorly represented in this country. This would explain the poor Korean performances.

September 1978. Oklahoma City / USA.

Javier Dacak Frutos wins the supreme title in his category, as Liam Dandy for Ireland and Benny Rivera/Puerto Rico. Jaime Morales/Dominican Republic, wins the gold medal in the heavyweights and wins the silver medal with his national team.

Mexico :

Daiwon Moon, aka David Moon, begins practicing Tang Soo Do in Korea before emigrating to the USA in 1962. He participates in many tournaments in this country and wins 3 times the United States Karate Champion, organized by Steen. In 1969 he travels to Mexico and develops there Taekwondo, subsequently named Moo Duk Kwan.

The Mexican Taekwondo team during the 1973 WTF World Championships, consisted of Isaias Duenas (see his article in this blog), José Luis Torres Galindo, José Luis Olivares, E Moran, Buika and Antonio Ramiro Guzman, (see the article " Full-contact development in Europe"). Mexico reaches the 4th places.

Ramiro Guzman, who was a student of David Moon in the USA and who followed Moon in Mexico, def Huang Chung-Ming, at the 1973 World Championships. The team finished 4th in Mexico, sometimes also referred to the 3rd . Ramiro Guzman still wins the silver medal in the batamweights in 1975 (3rd place with the Mexican team), the silver medal in 1977 in Chicago/USA and bronze medal in 1979, in Stuttgart/Germany, in the flyweight division.

Ramiro Guzman, right, vs Huang Chung Ming

Full-Contact :

The Mexican school, with Duenas and Guzman and Jeff Smith in the USA, has provided good fighters for the full-contact development, since 1974. This may be due to the use of Taekwondo total contact with the kicks.

Byong Yu's brother, Yu Byong Hong, participates without success to the first PKA full-contact championships in 1974, in Los Angeles.

France :

We have unfortunately very little information about the beginnings of Taekwondo in France. He seems to have been imported in 1969, by Lee Kwan Young. Under his leadership, France will participate in the 1st World Championships in 1973, without results. Unfortunately, we do not know the names of the French fighters.

During the 1975 World Championships, Lee Kwan-Young was manager. Daniel Boumrar (bantam), Jean-Luc Ripault (feather), Ruben Vir Lenc (light) and Laurent Barberon (heavy) were present.

During the first European Taekwondo Championships in Barcelona/ pain in 1976, Eric Gancylus wins a bronze medal in the lightweights. In the 1978 and 1980 European Championship, Patrick Stanzack wins each time a bronze medal, fin the middleweights.

It will take many years before the French Taekwondo Federation becomes independent of the Karate Federation.

Conclusions :

Without denying the role of Japanese karate in the development of the U.S. Karate, Taekwondo, as a Korean karate, also played a big role in the development of this sort of sport.

In addition, many karate champions were Taekwondo practitioner, almost anonymous in front of the Japanese karate fighters. It was easier to advertise under the Japanese name "Karate", already a myth, than under the Korean name "Taekwondo".

It was not until the early seventies that the Taekwondo made its "coming out" and becomes a fully known sport.

Roger Paschy, karate, full-contact and Thaï-Boxing

2008-10-30T10:57:00.000-07:00

Introduction :

Roger Paschy is born in 1944 and is coming from Vietnam. He arrives in France in 1957 and begins with traditional karate.

Karate :

Paschy practices Shotokan, with Master Taiji Kase, and is very effective in kata.

He is French champion, for the -65 kg, in 1973, 74 and 75, possibly after being a finalist in 1972, facing Patrick Baroux ?

He is three times European champion for the lightweights, in 1972, 1973 and 1975.

In 1972, in Brussels, -65 kg, he beats Mitchell/England, in the finals. The French team also wins in the finals.

In 1973, in Valencia/Spain, Paschy loses against the Italian Paolo Ciotola. He beats Richard Scherer/Germany in the semi-finals after overtime. Eventualy video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AucumkTaF0c Paschy def Steve Cattle/England, in the finals.

Paschy, left, against Scherer,
1973 European Championships

In 1974 in London, during the teams championships, Paschy loses against the German Wolfgang Ziebart, by Ippon, but the French team wins 3 to 1. In the finals, the French team fights Belgium. These two teams finish with a draw. During sharing fights, Paschy also draws with Lemmens. At the end, French teams wins the tournament.

In individuals, Paschy loses against Richard Scherer, who wins the gold medal. Paschy is not on the podium at this edition.

In 1975, at Ostende/Netherlands, for teams championships, Paschy draws against Wolfgang Ziebart/Germany in the semi-finals. French team wins in the finals, against Switzerland.

In individuals, Paschy beats the German Willy Vos. In semi-finals, he beats Bonvin/Switzerland. In finals, Paschy beats against Vos.

Paschy, left, against Schnackenberg,
1975 European Championships

Paschy would be 3 or 4 times European champion karate team, possibly in 1971 ?, 1972, 1974, 1975.

In 1975, Roger Paschy takes part to the WUKO World Championships Long-Beach/California and finishes 4th. In semi-finals, he loses against the Japanese Murakami, (future World Champion) and loses for the third place to the Dominican Pedro Antonio Rivera, who had beaten Dominique Valera.

Full-Contact :

As Dominique Valera, Roger Paschy becomes professional in 1976.

In May 1976, Paschy wins the European full-contact title, in Gelsenkirchen/Germany. In the 63-69 kg category, he beats first the kick boxer Jhon de Ruyter, from Netherlands, by ko. After various other fights, Paschy def Kemal Zeriat in the finals, who is instructor in Germany.

Paschy during the European full-contact Championships.
First picture, facing De Ruyter.

Also in 1976, Paschy doesn't participate to the fight in Paris, for USA vs Europe, while he is selected for this evening. Paschy has to met the Mexican Isaias Duenas, PKA World Champion since 1974.

Thaï boxing :

After karate and full-contact, Paschy also practices Thaï Boxing, or Muay Thaï. He has 5 fights in Thaïland.

We know only one result for Paschy. He was beaten, via retirement, at the beginning of the 2nd round against Ron Kuyt, in Amsterdam. We don't know the date of this fight.

Roger Paschy (right) vs Ron Kuyt

In total, he has established a record of 14 professional fights. Unfortunately, we have no details about these fights.

Paschy, left, during a exhibition with Soudareth

In 1978, he organizes a fights evening in the Salle Wagram, in Paris. He leads the Yamatsuki Club, in the 11th arrondissement of Paris.

He broadly participated to the development of the sport in France.

Miscellaneous :

Paschy writes a book called "Karate, techniques et efficacité", published by Chiron and another book named "Kick-Boxing, Muay Thaï", published by Sedirep.

Roger Paschy has played, among others, in the action movie "Doctor Justice", in 1975, with John Phillip Law. Fight scenes from the movie : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI5JHZu4yZ4

Joe Lewis (2nd part) Full-Contact and Kick-Boxing

2008-09-20T05:44:00.000-07:00

First part of the article, karate traditionnal

Debuts :

The first full contact match takes place on January 17th 1970, at the Long Beach Sports Arena. Joe Lewis beats Greg Baines, in the 2nd round, by KO. Video of the fight : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=67NdOX2lj-k. The very muscular Baines is the karate heavyweight's champion of California and practices Kempo. His nickname is possibly "Om". In 1968, during a competition between Mainland and Hawaii, Baines has won two fights, before losing against Rodney Del Pina.

Baines and Lewis wear gloves of 12 ounces. Baines is barefoot and Lewis is wearing sneakers. The fight was announced in the press as "full-contact", but the speaker of the evening speaks about American Kick Boxing, which will remains definition cited for many years.

Joe Lewis claims to have fought the same day, against Chuck Lemmon, for 3 rounds, possibly in traditional karate? Greg Baines died shortly after this fight, during an accident.

Lewis (right) vs Baines

This game takes place during the championships by teams of traditional karate, mentioned above, the 1st US Pro Team Karate Championships, promoted by Lee Faulkner.

Lewis would have defended this title 10 times during the year 1970. Because no federation handled seriously these battles, it is not possible to find all the names of his opponents, but we can include the following :

Usa Pro Open Karate Championships. This paragraph is based on the February 1971 issue of the newspaper Official Karate. On 20 June 1970 in Dallas/Texas, this championship is produced by Lee Faulkner and organized by Allen Steen. Traditional karate fights open the evening. Thereafter, two kick-boxing fights are planned.

The first oppose Jim Harrison to Victor Moore. Ed Parker and Allen Steen are among the judges. The battle takes place in a ring. Jim Harrison wears a t-shirt, while Victor Moore is stripped to the waist. Moore controls the first round by 40 to 32. He touches his opponent in the face. Harrisons' face is bleeding. The doctor controls twice the wounds. At the end of the second round, Victor Moore press Harrison against the ropes and the score is 79 to 68. In the third round, Harrison sweeps Moore, who falls to the canvas. Thereafter, Moore lands a punch to the head of Harrison, and the latter is declared out, after a count of 5 seconds.

Second fight. Joe Lewis meets "Big" Ed Daniel (Daniels), a 6'7'' giant, 35 years old. The latter practice Karate and would come from the famous "Texas school". During the 1969 Grand National Karate Championships, Ed Daniel loses against Dirk Mosig. Daniel was the All-American Champion runnerup in 1967 and has won the same tournament in 1969 ?

Lewis and Daniel are stripped to the waist and barefoot. They wear boxing gloves. Joe Lewis tucks in close to his opponent, who dominates widely in size. Daniel attacks and wins the first round by 38 to 37. In the second round, Lewis lands with a punch, and sends Daniel to the canvas. Daniel is coming up, but after the 5 seconds count and he is declared out. Reporter says that Daniel was reportedly injured and taken to the hospital. According to the Daniel's interview in the october 1978 Karate Illustrated, he stays 17 days in the hospital. A blood vessel had bursted in his brain during the fight, maybe in relation with a problem of blood presure.

A too short video of the fight : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=5p_kC1IbB5M

After this fight, Ed Daniel finished 2nd, behind James Butin, after having beaten Billie Simmons, at the First Annual Southwest Open Karate Championships, in 1972. He also met Joe Lewis once again, in traditional karate, with protections, in July 1974, during the Olympics Karate.

Now, Ed Daniel is still teaching karate, possibly the style of Okinawa. In 1974 or 1975, he meet Everett Eddy, in traditional with protection. Ed Daniel floored him in the first round, before loosing during the "sudden death".

In 1970, he beats Wally Slocki, by ko in the 3rd round, in Toronto. Slocki says it was an exhibition. He wears a t-shirt while Joe Lewis is stripped to the waist. In the 2nd round, Lewis put his knee in the face of his opponent. The latter fall on the floor. We are speaking about Wally Slocki's career in the article about the 09.14.1974 evening, in Los-Angeles. To our knowledge, Slocki is the only fighter opposed to Lewis during this period, which made other fights in full-contact.

On January 24th 1971, Lewis fights against Ronnie Barkoot, at the 2nd Annual United Nations Open Karate, organized by Aaron Banks. The fight is scheduled for 4 x 2 minutes, in a ring. The fighters wear gloves and gym shoes. Lewis wins by KO in the 1st round. Ronnie Baarkoot is karate champion of his State and would have a lazy waist at the time of the fight. He is registered as a 10th Dan. Video of this fight and the following fight : http://www.youtube.com/user/BandoBob1#p/u/6/et7nSQdwgaw

This paragraph is based on the newspaper Martial Arts Illustrated, January 1972 issue. On June 23rd, 1971, Joe Lewis beats Jesse "Atlas" King by ko in the 2nd round (3rd round according to other versions, citing a World Championship Kickboxing Bout ?). The battle is organized by Aaron Banks and took place in a ring. Joe Lewis is stripped to the waist and King wears a t-shirt. Both fighters are wearing boxing gloves and sport shoes. Sources cite Jesse King as practising Taekwondo or Kyokushinkai karate ? Joe Lewis is quoted as the U.S. Kickboxing Champion.

The fighters exchanged firstly side kicks. Joe Lewis hit his opponent with hooks to the face. King falls to the canvas. After the count, the fight resumed and King returned to the canvas, after a kick from Lewis. He will fall for the third time, before the end of the round. During the second round, King returned to the canvas several times before the bout is stopped after 2 minutes 30 seconds. The newspaper Martial Arts Illustrated speaks about a No-Contest ? During the same evening, Dr. Maung Gyi, practising Burma or Bando, beats a boxer named Jeff Joseph (no traces in the boxrec), by ko in the 3rd round. Maung Gyi would not have given kicks because his boxer opponent can't give kicks. The fights of the evening are considered no serious by the newspaper above cited.

Joe Lewis announced his withdrawal from full-contact competition in 1972, returning to fight in traditional karate or professional.

1st Come-Back :

In the early 1974, at the Florida State Championships, Joe Lewis takes part in an full-contact exhibition, with Safe-T kick and punch gears, with Herbie Thompson. Thompson abruptly left the ring, before the end of the five minutes.

On September 14th 1974 held the first international championship of full-contact, organized by the PKA (Professional Karate Association). Joe Lewis struggles against the Yugoslav Franc Brodar. This fight is organised by Mike Anderson. Lewis wins at the 2nd round. At the same evening, Bill Wallace and Jeff Smith also become world champions of full contact. An article is based on this evening, in this blog.

It is difficult to be assertive, but it seems that Joe Lewis has never defended his heavyweights title PKA, thereafter.

06.08.1975. Joe Lewis makes a full-contact demo against Paul Barbeau, in Ottawa.

Tommy Lee's World Series of Martial Arts Championships :

It is a special article in this blog about the WSMAC.

Details of the fights are coming from the Oriental Fighting Arts issue of November 1975.

On July 27th 1975, in Honolulu/Hawaii, Joe Lewis participates to the World Series of Martial Arts, organized by Tommy Lee. Joe Lewis married two days before.

A special feature is noteworthy. As shown on the photos, fighters are wearing protections on the elbows and are allowed to use these body parts to hit their opponent.

In his first match, Joe Lewis beat Ron Clay, purple belt in Kajukenbo. In the first round, Joe Lewis is very confident. He is hit on numerous occasions and even sent to the canvas, before getting up and putting Ron Clay ko, with a blow to the head.

Joe Lewis vs Ron Clay, "The Unknown Marine"

A short excerpt from this match is reproduced in the video "Joe Lewis, American fighting legend". Ron Clay is mentioned as "an unknown Marine". The viewing of this excerpt demonstrates that Ron Clay hits his opponent, but we do not see any knock-down from Joe Lewis.

Ted Limoz :

At the same level of the competition, Ted Limoz beats Ken Bell, by ko in the 1st round, after having sent him 3 times to the canvas.

The two winners meet in the finals. They start with studying each others, in the first round and Joe Lewis wins this part of the fight. In the second round, Ted Limoz takes the kicks and punches from his opponent and continues to face him. Joe Lewis begins to clinch and even receive a warning for head-butting. Ted Limoz makes the forcing in the 3rd and final round. Joe Lewis protects himself and ends up being wounded to the eye. A doctor examines the wound and says that he could continue. Ted Limoz pursues his opponent with his fists and finally wins the last round and the match.

Joe Lewis vs Ted Limoz, very rare pictures.

With this victory, Limoz earns between USD 3,000.-- and 5,000 .--, depending on the versions.

It's a special article in this blog about Ted Limoz.

Special message :

If you have any information, results, photos about Ted Limoz Sr, or the Tommy Lee's World Series of Martials Arts, in 1974, 1975 or 1976, thank you very much for sending it to me at this address : usakaratestory

Defeat against Scott Ross :

08.24.1975. The match takes place in Atlantic City / New Jersey. Joe Lewis loses against Ross Scott, in a non-title match. Scott Ross has previously disputed only one match in full-contact and can go for a journeyman.

Lewis injures his right shoulder during the match, possibly in the 3rd round, following a blow thrown in the air. The match was stopped for about 5 minutes, leaving time to heal. He continues to fight.

Ross Scott gives numerous kicked in the head of Lewis, who blocked a large number of them. According to "Professional Karate" issue of November-December 1975 and "Fighting Champions" issue of February 1976, and contrary to what has often been reported, Joe Lewis was not penalized for lack of kicking, despite the rule of "Six kicks per round rule " in effect.

Joe Lewis loses on points in 7 rounds, 17-12. Scott won 3 rounds and Lewis 2, the others being considered draw. Both fighters were wounded in the face.

The victory of Ross Scott is a real surprise, Joe Lewis is a precursor of full-contact and seemingly invincible. A very short video of the fight : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=RjRxhtFrbQA

Joe Lewis was stripped of his title PKA by Mike Anderson, after these two defeats above cited. His successor is Scott Ross, who beat Johnny Lee for the title, by ko in the 3rd round, in 1976.

His coach :

Joey Orbillo is often cited as Joe Lewis' coach for full-contact. According to the latter, Orbillo would have teach him boxing in 1970, for his first match with ko. Orbillo is also the coach for American fighters, during the evening of September 1974.

Joey Orbillo continues to work with Joe Lewis, until his fight against Ross Scott.

Orbillo is a former professional boxer, with 17 wins, including 9 ko, 4 defeats including one before the limit and a draw. He fights, among others, excellent fighters as Eddie Machen and Jerry Quarry.

Thereafter, Joey Orbillo becomes a policeman in Los Angeles, and after a longshoreman.

2nd Come-Back :

In 1982, Joe Lewis returns to full-contact competition, but never wins the world title. He wins his first fight by ko in the 3rd, against Bill Morrison (10-1 record at this time) in Greenville. Morrison had worked all the day of the fight, then traveled to the fight place. He almost cancelled the fight, but was blackmailed into fighting by the promoter. Morrison said that he was illegally kneed in the face and knocked out. Bill Morrison will end his career with a record of 17-4-1. His defeats were suffered against 4 World Champions, Joe Lewis, Anthony Elmore (2 times) and Demetrius "Oaktree" Edwards. Morrison defeated Big John Jackson in 51 seconds, for the U.S. title. Jackson had taken this title from Ross Scott. Thank you to Bill Morrison for this details.

On February 3rd, 1983, in Charlotte, Lewis beats on points Curtis "Cow-Boy" Crandall (19-2, 10 kos, who has already lost against Don Wilson by tko in the 11th in full-contact, and has two fights, two losses on points in boxing).

Joe Lewis loses (possibly by the way of an injury) against Tom Hall (who lost against Brad Hefton in full contact, on points for the PKA heavyweights title and who has 3, fights, 3 wins by ko in boxing).

Joe Lewis beats Mel Cole (who lost the WKA title against Stan Longinidis, by ko in the first round).

One week before the fight against Roop, for the heavyweight US title, Joe Lewis takes part in an exhibition in 5 rounds, against Anthony Elmore, the PKA Super-Heavyweights World Champion. This exhibition is broadcast on ESPN. Elmore will meet Tony Palmore two weeks after the exhibition, for the world title.

Joe Lewis loses against Kerry Roop and was stopped in the 4th round, by injury above the eye (Kerry Roop has lost three times against Jean-Yves Theriault, two times by ko and once on points and he has also lost against Brad Hefton and Robert Biggs. Roop Kerry has beaten Dan Macaruso for the PKA light-heavyweights title in 1982 and has fought Jeff Smith).

Joe Lewis beats Charlton Young (15-1, 11 kos, practicing Taekwondo) on points in 7 rounds, at the Battle of Atlanta.

Joe Lewis, left, facing Charlton Young.

Thank you to Tim Ayres for informations. This paragraph is also based on article of the August 1983 Fighting Stars issue.

He makes still a famous exhibition with Bill Wallace in 1990, including the following excerpts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-bjRT3NQUI

Conclusions :

Many videos about Joe Lewis' fights are available on the Internet. In addition, a video is sold, "Joe Lewis American Fighting Legend" [3], with very short excerpts from his fights.

We note that he had a style, in full-contact, mainly composed of heavy and individually delivered punches.

The iconography is important. However, no site provides an exhaustive list of his fights.

The Joe Lewis's official site makes his personal glory, paints a laudatory career, which excludes any objectivity [4]. This site states that Joe Lewis holds now a black belt 10th dan, and invented a style named Joe Lewis Fighting System. Joe Lewis is quoted as "the greatest fighter of all time", as that would have been awarded by Bruce Lee, or other, depending on the versions.

Record :

It is very difficult to establish with certainty a record for Joe Lewis. According to the various elements, the fights following can be mentioned :

Full Contact, or Kick-Boxing
01.17.1970: GREG BAINES, wko 2 - Long Beach. Kick Boxing Usa
20.06.1970: BIG ED DANIEL, wko 2 Dallas Usa Pro Open
00.00.1970: WALLY SLOCKI, wko 3 Toronto Karate Championship
01.24.1971: RONNIE BARKOOT, wko 1
06.23.1971: ATLAS JESS KING, wko 2 (or wko 3 according to other sources)

1st Come-Back
09.14.1974: FRANK BRODAR, wko 2 Los Angeles-PKA World Champion

Tommy Lee's World Series of Martial Arts, Hawaii
07.27.1975 : RON CLAY, wko1
07.27.1975: TED LIMOZ, lp3

08.24.1975: ROSS SCOTT, lp7 Atlantic-City/N.J.

2nd Come-back :
12.02.1982 : BILL MORRISON w ko 3
00.00.1983 : CURTIS CRANDALL w p
04.16.1983 : TOM HALL, l
07.16.1983 : MEL COLE w
10.00.1983 : ANTHONY ELMORE, exhibition
10.08.1983 : KERRY ROOP, l on cut in the 4hth, for the US heavyweights title
12.07.1983 : CHARLTON YOUNG wp 7
00.00.1990: BILL WALLACE, exhibition

Total final announced in 1990: 18 victories, 3 defeats, 16 kos.
Total found from our sources in 1990 : 15 fights, 11 victories, 4 losses This total is not confirmed in "The Official History of Karate in America" of Al Weiss, which cited 14 fights, 10 victories, 4 losses.

[1] Lewis and his American Karate Systems , Joe Lewis, Jerry Beasley, Paladin Press, 1998
[2] http://www.usadojo.com/articles/history-karate-america.htm
[3] 2006, Masters Martial Arts
[4] http://www.joelewisfightingsystems.com/

"New Gladiators", the karate movie

2008-08-31T01:28:00.001-07:00

Introduction :

Without becoming a "must" or a "cult-film", New Gladiators remains as the best karate documentary, concerning the Seventies.

For this article, our sources are the interview with George Waite, included in the DVD, as various articles published on this subject.

Film History :

In 1973, George Waite proposes a movie project about karate to his coach Ed Parker. The latter presents the project to Elvis Presley, his karate student (see article Tournaments and Promoters).

Elvis Presley is excited and gives a check for the film, possibly for USD 50,000 .--. It was decided to follow a US karate team through various journeys in Europe, for tournaments. The initial project also planned to include a karate demonstration, performed by Elvis Presley (see below) and an exhibition, filmed in colour, made by Bruce Lee in 1967, during Ed Parker's Internationals.

Bob Hammer shoots nearly 50 hours of various scenes, in 16 mm of the time. After Elvis Presley's death, in 1977, the sequences have remained nearly 25 years in a car, in George Waite's garage.

Don Warrener, founder of the production company, specialized in Martial Arts, Rising Sun Productions, based in Los Angeles, is a Goju-Ryu practitioner. He was able to decide George Waite to give back his movie. They restore and finally edit a 93 minutes documentary, named "New Gladiators", title possibly inspired by Elvis Presley himself.

David Crosby and Graham Nash, from the famous group Crosby, Still, Nash and Young, made the music.

George Waite was also the editor of numerous documentaries, for example for Disney.

Elvis Presley and karate :

It is very difficult to establish an accurate history of the relationship between Elvis Presley and karate. He started with Shotokan, while on duty in the army. He went to Ed Parker's Kenpo, while also training with Kang Rhee, in Memphis, in a style close to Taekwondo, the Pasaryu. With Kenpo, Elvis has received various degrees, including an 8th dan honorary degree.

Ed Parker and Elvis have organized a seminar in the Tennessee Karate Institute, on July 4th, 1974. Elvis presented also a demonstration in the same Institute, on September 16th, 1974. This demonstration is not part of the film, as planned during the project, for copyright problems. The video also includes a short interview of Jerry Schilling, a producer who worked with Elvis Presley. He explains the history of these images. Bill Wallace makes a short appearance, wearing a Gi similar to the one he wore two days before, during the first PKA championships, on September 14th, 1974.

The King and Superfoot

According to some sources, Elvis would have even proposed a lot of money to Bill Wallace, for not participating to this championship, for unclear reasons. Video internet address : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=qvehGcMMOmY

Elvis also made short demonstrations of Martial Arts, during his concerts in Las Vegas, in August and September 1974.

We will not speak about the lack of seriousness of these exhibitions, but we advise readers to not miss the white shirt with large collar, under the Elvis Gi, as well as his superb red belt. Remember also that according to many sources, Elvis was very generous with his instructors.

The film :

The U.S. team members are John Natividad, Darnell Garcia, Tom Kelly, Ron Marchini and Benny Urquidez and the team is managed by Ed Parker. In 1973, they went to London, possibly at Wembley, for a tournament against the English team, with Eugene Codrington, David Cooper, Ticky Donovan, Graham Mitchell and Toby Francis (phonetic names). The competition took place at the same time that the 10th national championship. Finally, the USA win the confrontation. A short excerpt : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=JX5iZRUOBvw&feature=related.

Tom Kelly in his works

The same U.S. team then went to Belgium, for a tournament against a team led by Belgian Geert Lemmens. Behind on points, the Americans must win the last fight, disputed between Ron Marchini and Lemmens, to win the teams confrontation. With a hook, Geert Lemmens wounds Marchini's face. The doctors want to stop the fight and referees want to disqualify the Belgian. Marchini refuses and continues to fight. He wins with a kick straight to… his opponent's groin. Without much damage, Lemmens is recovering immediately. Second excerpt : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=VGIWdspFxE4&feature=related.

Ron Marchini receives the Geert Lemmens punch

Both confrontations took place without contact and without protection.

Back in the USA. We see the finals, during the 1st Annual Los Angeles Open in 1974. Bob Alegria won these finals.

At the Beverly Hill Invitational, the following fights are represented : Steve Sanders (Muhammad) def Hernandez by disqualification. Roy Kurban beats Blinky Rodriguez, Cecil Peoples and Ray Sua, before beating Steve Sanders during the finals. Fighters are wearing foot protections. Only body contact is allowed.

Finally, during the 1974 U.S. Nationals Championships, with fighters wearing foot and fist protections, light head contact is authorized, as full body contact. Roy Kurban beats first Darnell Garcia, then Benny Urquidez for the finals. Last excerpt : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=2ytxHe3YtQg&feature=related.

The April 1975 Black Belt Magazine issue mentions this tournament under the name Western Pro/Am Karate Championships, in Oakland/CA. If the pictures of the fighters in the newspapers are the same as in the film, it is mentioned in Black-Belt that Kurban beats Benny Urquidez in the semi-finals and Darnell Garcia in the finals. This version is confirmed by the March 1975 Professional Karate issue. The movie has probably made the mistake with a false chronology of the semi-finals and finals. The prize-monney for the winner is USD 1,000 .--.

The final bout between Roy Kurban right and Benny Urquidez

The fighters :

Benny Urquidez is the subject of a separate article in this blog.

John Natividad is born in Hawaii. Student of Chuck Norris, practising Tang Soo Do, Natividad retires from the competition in 1975, after winning numerous tournaments in the USA. His most famous battle takes place during Ed Parker's Internationals in Long Beach, in August 1973. He beats Benny Urquidez by 13 to 12, during extra-time.

Steve Muhammad, born Steve Sanders, is one of the BKF founders (Black Karate Federation). He lost a fight against Joe Lewis in 1969. He was possibly stolen. His new federation would have to defend the cause of the Blacks in karate. He is a Kenpo practitioner with Ed Parker and his speed of execution is particularly accurate. More details about his long career are mentioned in this blog in the article about Joe Lewis.

Roy Kurban practices Taekwondo, and retires from competition in 1977, after winning various tournaments. He was an army and police instructor. He also worked as a policeman during 3 years, then served for 16 years as a judge in Texas.

Ron Marchini practices Renbukai (a style near Karate and used mainly in Japan) and lost against Chuck Norris in 1964, during the Tak Kubata's All-Stars Tournament. He later becomes an actor.

Darnell Garcia is an instructor in Chuck Norris's schools. Darnell Garcia wins the Grand Champion Internationals Karate Championships, in 1972, against Joe Lewis. He has written two books, "Explosive Instincts and Mind Power" and "Fighting Art of Tang Soo Do" and worked for various police departments.

Tom Kelly wins the heavyweights All-American Karate Champion title, in 1971, 1972, 1973. In 1972, he lost against Joe Lewis for Grand Champion title ? He practices Kenpo style.

Ticky Donovan was champion of England for many years. He changed style on many occasions, before practicing Isshinryu.

Eugene Codrington, with the United Kingdom team, defeated Japan team, during the 1975 World Championships, in Long-Beach (WUKO). He was silver medallist at the 1977 World Championships, in Tokyo (WUKO).

Geert Lemmens is mentioned in the article about the various federations PKA, WAKO and WKA, for his participation to the WAKO creation. Previously, he took part at the 1970 first karate World Championship in Japan (WUKO).

Conclusions :

The film is described by George Waite, in his interview, as a karate "Endless Summer", cult-film produced in 1966 by Bruce Brown. Like surfers searching the perfect wave, these fighters seek the perfect tournament and opponent throughout this road movie. New Gladiators is less "has been" as Endless Summer, with his long parts without change of pace, and also his annoying comments. The excellent film "Morning of the Earth" by Alby Falzon, produced in 1971, has many similarities with "New Gladiators", more about its music than about its pictures.

We note the huge role played by Ed Parker, in the choice of the fighters (overrepresentation of Kenpo), video with Elvis Presley (his students) and demo with Bruce Lee (made in his tournament).

We could ask about the federation in charge of the U.S. team, presented in the film as the United States of America National Team. This is not the team which takes part at the 1972 Teams World Championships in Paris (WUKO). John Natividad and Ron Marchini have also been released from this team, during the US trials. The fighters of New Gladiators, send to England and Belgium, were not the most famous of the time. Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace, Jeff Smith and Howard Jackson were the top of the list of this period of time.

With this film, we can see Benny Urquidez in traditional karate. At this time, he was not a celebrity. We better understand the slow evolution of the karate to full-contact, in 1974.

Karate newspapers history in the USA and France.

2008-07-20T05:12:00.000-07:00

Introduction :

Once upon the time, when Internet did not exist and the televisions were not interested in karate or full-contact fights transmission, newspapers were the only source of information about these sports.

Appeared in the USA during the sixties, they arrived in Europe in the early seventies. They sometimes continue to exist even today, after having undergone many changes.

Given the large number of newspapers published between 1960 and 1980, both in the USA and Europe, it is impossible to be complete. We will therefore mention the most famous newspapers, with a short history of their appearance, articles style and interesting examples of coverage.

The newspapers dedicated to several sports will be omitted, except for Black Belt, who, as a precursor, played a big role in the popularization of karate. The federation’s newspapers will not be cited. The "Yearbooks" will not be discussed, even though they were very popular.

We are not able to cite the publication numbers, but these data seem unfortunately not be available so far.

Black Belt :

The most famous of all, Black Belt Magazine, continues to exist today.

The first issue was released in April 1961 and it cost only 50c, subscription for one year amounted to U.S. $ 3 .--. Black Belt was founded in Los Angeles by Mito Uyehara, an aikido practitioner, and his brother Jim.

The newspaper was concerned by many martial arts, as today.

In the late sixties, Mito Uyehara has remained alone at the head of the magazine. He also published numerous books, with the Ohara Book Distribution firm and participated in the production of martial arts movies.

In a June 1968 article, Mr. Uyehara complains about the Italian “Cintura Nera” newspaper, (which means black belt too), which copy his Black Belt articles.

Since 1974, Rick Shively becomes publisher of Black Belt, Uyehara remaining chairman.

Mito Uyehara also published Karate Illustrated (see below) and Fighting Stars, dedicated to celebrities practicing martial arts. The Rainbow Publications company was also involved in Black Belt and Karate Illustrated.

Very traditional, Black Belt did not participate in the launch of full-contact, criticizing this practice and stating its dangers for health and the purity of martial arts. It has changed since then.

It should be noted that Black Belt has remained almost 9 years without serious competitor and only the martial arts fever has allowed the emergence of other journals.

This newspaper should not be confused with "Action Black Belt", published between 1974 and 1975. We know nothing about this review.

It might be a more “full-contact” Black Belt, published in order to diversify the choices available to readers.

Karate Illustrated :

Also published in 1969 by Mito Uyehara. Dick Hennesy, a former Black Belt employee, is also publisher.

As Official Karate, published shortly before, Karate Illustrated style becomes more incisive. It will also monitor the development of full-contact.

Fighters :

This review was affiliated with Karate Illustrated. More specialized in full-contact, we have found only that copy. It seems to be published between 1974 and 1975.

Official Karate :

Al Weiss is the Official Karate founder and he works for it from 1968 to 1986. He was a karate Goju-Ryu black belt, as Aaron Banks, who worked also for this magazine. The first issue we have found is here represented. It could be the number 1, published in June 1969.

The above articles seem very modern, compared to its competitor Black Belt.

This newspaper has been very open to full-contact.

A particular version is also published under the name "Official Karate Special Fighting Champions", from 1974 to 1977 approximately.

It became increasingly devoted to full-contact, giving many details about the various fights of this time.

Another edition called "Official Karate Defense Combat" presented self-defense techniques.

The Al Weiss book named "The Official History of Karate in America", was about the karate history in the USA, from 1968 to 1986, and was containing former Official Karate articles.

Professional Karate Magazine :

According to our information, the first title was released in the summer 1973. It was published by Mike Anderson (see article devoted to him in this blog, under Tournaments and Promoters).

The main feature of this newspaper is the monthly published Top Ten of the best fighters. At the beginning, it was concerning professional karate, and after full-contact, sometimes even mixing the two styles. Previously, Black Belt had only annual rankings.

This newspaper has been heavily influenced by the tournaments organized by Anderson, but it also refers to those promoted by others "matchmakers".

In his 1974 Summer issue, Mike Anderson writes about the irregular publication problems of his newspaper and pledges as Managing Editor John Corcoran, a famous journalist in this sector (see below) and Bob McLaughlin.

This newspaper had still very long articles over fights techniques. Among the contributing editors were Aaron Banks, Joe Lewis or Ed Parker.

Many cite the totally innovative role of this newspaper. It was not always independent of the Professional Karate Association, a time managed by Mike Anderson.

The latest issue seems to be published in 1976. This newspaper has suffered from financial losses.

Oriental Fighting Arts :

This newspaper, published by Abe Gaskin, among others, had as Technical Advisor Aaron Banks (see the article in this blog Tournaments and Promoters). Banks also worked as editor and appears to have played a major role in the magazine, which began in July 1974 and disappeared in 1976.

Firstly dedicated to various martial arts like Kung-Fu, it has diversified in articles on fighting techniques, and then on the results of various tournaments, both in traditional and full-contact, organized by Aaron Banks or other individuals. The magazine was also often dedicated to Aaron Banks’ personality.
A newspaper called "Oriental Combat and Self Defense" was a partner.

World Karate :

The newspaper was also published by Aaron Banks, from 1976 to 1982/1983. One of the coverage is advertised as the official WPKO journal, his federation. The August 1976 issue is represented below.

Few articles were devoted to the championships, but rather to the personality of fighters. They were also often devoted to Aaron Banks himself.

Contact Karate & Fighting Stars :

We only know that it was a magazine published during the year 1976.

His relationship with the newspaper Fighting Stars (see Black Belt) is not known. It could be the temporary unification of Fighting Stars and Action Black Belt (disappeared in 1975), but we must point out that Fighting Stars has continued to appear under this name, after 1976.

John Corcoran :

It is impossible to write about newspapers in the U.S. without citing John Corcoran’s personality, given the number of articles published in various magazines above.

John Corcoran began in Black Belt and Karate Illustrated, in the seventies. Since 1974, he helped Mike Anderson for Professional Karate Magazine. He was accompanied in this transfer by Bob McLaughlin, who took charge of the article about the 14 September 1974 first PKA World Championship, in Los Angeles. John Corcoran has also worked with Bob Wall, for his book "Who's Who in the Martial Arts".

Corcoran has published a reference book called "The Original Martial Arts Encyclopedia", published by Pro-Action in 1993 (130,000 unities sold).

He is considered as one of the best journalist in this style, his qualities of black belt owner giving him a big credibility.

France :

The karate newspapers appeared later in France. We begin by quoting the newspaper Budo. It was the heir of Budo International, which was dedicated to French Judo. Budo, very innovative, is published in 1973, with articles on various martial arts. We can compare it to Black Belt, as a trigger of a journalistic style, for France.

Budo No. 4, April 73

Karatékas :

Since 1974, a quality newspaper is published under the name Karatékas. Deeply committed to traditional karate, it was highly critical against the full-contact. Here are some covers of this journal. It ceased publication a few years later.

The first issue was written about Europe traditional karate championships and Dominique Valera, with a kata represented on a poster.

Karaté :

The first Karaté newspaper is published in October 1974. Firstly dedicated to traditional karate and the martial arts fever, with Bruce Lee, the newspaper turned to full-contact at the end of 1975. It has long accompanied Dominique Valera in his American journey and learning of this new style.

A character in the newspaper was Rolland Gaillac. The latter, former singer in a band called "The Brummells", became editor of the teenager’s magazine "Salut Les Copains". He also produces for "France Routiers", writing books on trucks, with the famous Max Meynier, from the RTL radio.

Rolland Gaillac will lead Karaté, for many years, interviewing Gochin Yamagushi among other great masters.

The Karaté publisher was Jean Nouailhac, from the Editions de France.

A Karaté international version was published in the USA, Germany and Belgium. For example, Budo Karate Journal is the inheritor of this version. French articles were simply translated into German, with a different cover.

A true phenomenon, Karaté became Karaté Bushido and continues today, having diversified itself in mixed arts, as MMA.

Nostalgia :

The old-fashioned style of these magazines is very impressive. The advertisement was designed and samurai stories occupied many pages.

Besides, the pleasure of seeing the new number in the window of the seller or in his own mailbox was undeniable.

Conclusions :

The tournaments and fights were detailed in such a way the reader can “see” them, without the help of the television.

These magazines had the way to ask every month the same questions, such as "should full-contact be forbidden ?" or "should women fight against men ?" and the traditional "karate should be professional ?".

They did not seem to be independent of the organizers, who were often the editors or owners of these newspapers.

Several reviews were partners, sometimes more specialized in full-contact or self-defense techniques.

The reviews had problems to specify the tournaments dates and their final results, which were never mentioned in the form of a summary, at the end of the article, as in Europe.

The issues date were not accurate. For example, the September 1974 PKA World Championship article was published in the Winter 1975 Professional Karate issue and the May 1975 WPKO World Championship article was published in the September 1975 Oriental Fighting Arts issue. Were the newspapers appearing with an upcoming date of edition to attract customers or did they need several months to publish their articles ? But that's another story...

Tommy Lee's World Series of Martial Arts Championships

2008-07-03T04:54:00.000-07:00

Introduction :

The Worlds Series of Martial Arts Championships (WSMAC) represented one of the most important development of the fights with ko, even if this series have left less traces than the 1974 first PKA World Championship, for example. It is therefore interesting to go back on these series, which made fighters famous, as Benny Urquidez, for example.

This article is mainly based on November 1975 Oriental Fighting Arts magazine, March and June 1975 Professional Karate magazines and November as December 1975 Black Belt magazines.

Despite this abundant literature, it is difficult to determine the exact dates of these series and the personality of their founder, Tommy Lee. We can not guarantee the accuracy of what is following.

Background :

The first PKA World Championships have already taken place in Los Angeles and the professional American karate is disappearing. At this time, the mixed fights between various sports are not practiced in tournaments.

Tommy Lee :

Tommy Lee, of Asian origin, is known in Honolulu/Hawaii, as a famous surfer and a surf hardware trader. He associated with a producer named Marty Mains (Mardy Mains, possibly a lady).

Tommy Lee, Benny Urquidez, ?, Everett Eddy

Rules :

They decided to create a "no-rules" tournament. It seems impossible. Various masters came to Hawaii, to decide rules. The blows are accounted with a points system. The takedowns are accepted, as immobilizations. The win can also come by the way of the ko.

Fighters will be protected with Safe-T, or Jhoon Rhee protections, and all areas intended for delivering blows or strikes must be padded (for example : elbows). It is forbidden to hit some parts of the body .

The fighters may come from various sports.

1st Serie : November 14th and 15th, 1974. Honolulu/Hawaii

This first round has no weight division. A total of USD 10,000 .-- is to divide between the fighters, the last winner won USD 5,000 .-

At the end of the first day, 16 finalists are designated, according to their results :

Blinky Rodriguez beats Dennis Lyttle, video http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=DvB5xnKF1t0.
Smiley Urquidez loses against Burnis White.

Dana Goodson beats :
Jack Atkins by ko in the 1st round
Blink Ordelies on points
Blinky Rodriguez on points, http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=xTCRxRcBh48.

Benny Urquidez beats:
Futi Semana, ko in the 2nd
Tom Mossman, in the 2nd
Burnis White by ko in the 2nd
Billy Rosehill by kot in the 3rd. This fight was not the semi-finals, as mentioned in Oriental Martial Arts magazine.

Rosehill practiced Taekwondo (as Judo and Ju-Jitsu) and it is his single combat in WSMAC. This tournament was advertised in Hawaii and he simply enrolled. Thanks to him for information.

In the finals, Benny Urquidez, natural lightweight, beats Dana Goodson on points. Goodson measures 6'1'' and weighs 230 lbs. Urquidez has managed to send his opponent to the canvas and to pin him for 5 seconds. His superior physical condition has enabled Urquidez to dominate his opponent, video http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=yblJ9VqHW8w. Thanks to Shawn for his marvelous videos.

Finals: Benny Urquidez, left, vs Dana Goodson.

This serie is a financial fiasco.

According to the Urquidez record, from his book "King of the Ring", it is possible that there was a fight in Hawaii, for the WSMAC, in December 1974. Benny Urquidez beats Burnis White, by ko in the 4th ?

2nd Serie : May 16th, 1975. Los Angeles Sports Arena

Since this series, weight divisions appear. 7,000 spectators are present.

For the lightweights, Benny Urquidez beats Roland Talton, by ko in the 2nd. Talton is chairman of the BKF (Black Karate Federation, created after a non-deserved defeat of Steve Sanders, alias Sijo, against Joe Lewis, in traditional Karate). Roland Talton had already won by ko against Bill Owens in 1974 at a full-contac tournamentt named The Black Dragon Martial Arts Show. During this same tournament, Talton lost against Sammy Pace, on points.

Bill Henderson (Kung Fu) def on points Manny Charusarn, a Thai kick-boxer. Manny Charusarn has already beaten Steve Fischer on points at the Black Dragon Martial Arts Show in 1974. Charusarn beats Manuel Urquidez in the finals of this tournament.

In the finals of the WSMAC, Urquidez beats Bill Henderson by standing tko in the 2nd round. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUyyvUF6VUk

In the heavyweights, Everett "Monster Man" Eddy beats Sam Pace (also BKF), with a hard ko in the 2nd round, with a series of kicks and punches. Sammy Pace had already beaten Choo Choo Mayes and Roland Talton at the Black Dragon Martial Arts Show in 1974, a full-contact tournament. Dana Goodson beats Ken Bell, by ko in the 3rd.

In the finals, Everett Eddy beats Dana Goodson. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba9AgpwW-8c Thanks to David Leonardo for his details.

Everett "Monsterman" Eddy (left) vs Dana Goodson

3rd Serie : June 21st, 1975. Honolulu/Hawaii, H.I.C. Arena

Only 12 fighters are selected for this series. Each division winner receive USD 3,000 .--.

In the lightweights, Benny Urquidez beats Sanun Plypoolsup, a Thai kick-boxer, by tko, who was allegedly the 2nd in the Asian Games. Benny receives kicks in the legs, but his opponent loses, following an face injury.

Benny Urquidez (right), in a rare position, pinning Plypoolsup

Burnis White (taekwondo) def Cecil Peoples, on points. In the finals, Urquidez beats White by tko in the 2nd. White had injured his foot.

Farrell Sojot loses against Augie Evans, in the 2nd round. Reggie Padilla beats Duke Domen, by ko in the 1st round.

In the heavyweights, Victor Rapoza, practicing Kenpo of Hawaii and starting in full-contact, beats Chris Michael, by tko.

Victor Rapoza (right) against Chris Michael

Everett Eddy beats on points Duke Sabedong, an old boxer with 17 victories (12 by ko), 16 losses, (4 by ko) and 2 draws. From Hawaii, Sabedong is already 45 years old. He lost on points in ten rounds, in 1961, against the young Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay at this time). His career has been stopped in 1964.

In the finals, Victor Rapoza beats Eddy, by ko in the 2nd. The latter had already been beaten by ko, on June 8th, 1975, against a boxer named Horst Geisler, during a mixed fight.

4th Serie : July 27th, 1975. Honolulu/Hawaii, HIC Arena

There are 4 weight divisions.

The Thai kick-boxer Buthsombat wins his first match, against Jang Hee Pak. Mike Rodriguez beats Steve Murakami, via disqualification. In the finals, Buthsombat beats Rodriguez.

In the middleweights, Land is disqualified and Sam Pace is qualified, as Burnis White, who has beaten on points Keoni May, a Wado Ryu and Muay Thai practitioner. Keoni May has taken part in three WSMAC and has also fought in his career a total of three times against Burnis White. In 1974, Keoni May has beaten a Win Chu practitioner from Hong Kong, by ko in the 2nd round. Keoni May has also beaten Mike Frazier. He is now an Aikido teacher. Thanks to Keoni May for information. In the WSMAC finals, White beats Sam Pace, by ko.

In the light-heavyweights, Augie Evans wins his first fight and Jeff Smith (PKA full-contact World Champion since 1974) def Ben Wilbor, by tko in the 2nd. In the finals, Smith beats Evans, by tko.

In the heavyweights, Teddy Limoz beats Ken Bell , by tko in the first round.

Joe Lewis (PKA full-contact World Champion since 1974) def Ron Clay, by ko in the 1st round. Link to the video of the fight : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=fszI5BJQQKk

In the finals, Ted Limoz beats Joe Lewis, on points. These struggles are detailed in the article devoted to Joe Lewis, in this blog, .

It should be noted that the fighters were wearing protective elbows and therefore had the right to use these body parts to hit their opponent. It does not seem that the projections and immobilizations have been used during the fight. On the video, we note that Ron Clay employs the knee blows.

Serie no ? : 01.10.1976, Hawaii.

We are not sure of what is following. Ross Scott beats Victor Rapoza by ko. According to the March 1980 Black-Belt issue, they made a draw. During the same day, Dana Goodson def Ross Scott by ko. It was not PKA title fights. According to others sources, the Ross Scott vs Dana Goodson fight took place in 1981 ? Burnis White, announced as the world middleweights champion, practicing Tae Kwon Do and Wu Shu Boxing, meets Glenn McMorris.

Poster of 1976 WSMAC

Other WSMAC ? :

Without being able to be affirmative, it is possible that other WSMAC have taken place thereafter. On the Benny Urquidez record, we find :

October 12th, 1975, Los Angeles

Benny Urquidez beats Bill Henderson, by ko in the 2nd ? Is it the same fight as above mentioned ?

June 18th (or August) 1976, Dallas

Benny Urquidez beats Sanun Plypoolsup, on points in 8 rounds.

What for a tournament ?

In the November 1976 Black Belt issue, a report mentions a tournament in Hawaii, with a team of the island against a team from Hong Kong. Burns White beats Mark Costello, by decision in the 1st round, before beating Freddie Avilles in the finals, on points.

A kick-boxer, Charley Juail and a freeform-fighter Cisco Labuanon beat their opponents of Hong Kong, while John Han beats Ho Tung Kai in 35 seconds. Finally, in the heavyweights, James Dwight beats Triplett Honest.

If this meeting is not mentioned as a WSMAC, pictures show fighters with the same protections on the elbows, not to mention that Burnis White was also part of WSMAC.

If you have more information on WSMAC and Tommy Lee,
please send me a message.

Where are they now ? :

We will not talk about Joe Lewis, Jeff Smith and Benny Urquidez. They are each the subject of a separate article in this blog.

There is a special article about Ted Limoz, Victor Rapoza and Dana Goodson, in this blog.

Burnis White is currently announced as a 6th level of Puma System, "Pacific Unified Martial Arts", a mixture of various American martial arts styles. In 1977, he will lose on points in Hawaii, against Bill Wallace, for the PKA middleweights title. The final record for Mr White is 30 wins (25 ko) and 3 losses. Thank you to him for his information and pictures.

Everett "Monsterman" Eddy is a leading figure of the U.S. karate and full-contact. He will lose against Scott Ross for the title and against Antonio Inoki, in a mixed fight. Cecil Peoples is also a famous fighter of this period.

Conclusions :

We know, unfortunately, nothing about the Tommy Lee's career as an promoter.

It should be noted that a large part of the fighters were coming from Hawaii, and were sometimes beginners.

As a mixed fights background, we mention a fight between boxing and judo, with the fighter Milo Savage (39 years old, 49 wins, 44 lost, 10 drawn) opposed to Gene LeBell, (31 ans), in 1963. This fight ended with the victory of the judoka Lebell , in the 5th round, with a neck choke (or a strangulation). The fight, obviously not fixed, can be seen at : http://www.worldblackbeltvideo.com/video/40/Gene-LeBell-vs-Milo-Savage-34

The WSMAC have been one of the first versions of mixed fights, which become very long after the UFC or MMA. Very precursors, they combined already blows, throws and immobilizations.

It is surprising that, at the end of WSMAC, such a long period has lasted until UFC and other tournaments will come, in the nineties. Various independent initiatives have existed, such as little serious battle between the boxer Muhammad Ali and the wrestler Antonio Inoki, in 1976, or Satoru Sayama (Tiger Mask) vs Mark Costello in 1977.

First WUKO and IAKF World Championships

2008-06-15T05:20:00.000-07:00

Introduction :

This article analyses the creation of the first WUKO and IAKF World Championships from 1970 to 1977, the time during which they had only one weight division.

To remain in the subject, we will not return to the Championships in Europe or Asia. We do not mention the other federations, which have organized other World Championships, given their little importance.

Background :

To fully understand the context of amateur Karate at this time, let remind that a schism has existed for a long time between various Japanese federations, the JKA (Japan Karate Association) and the All-Japan University Karate League. The FAJKO, All Japan Karatedo Federation Organizations, brought together for a short time, most of these divergent federations.

Me Hidetaka Nishiyama :

It is necessary to introduce one of the main characters of Karate at this time, Me Hidetaka Nishiyama. The latter begins his karate learning with Me Gichin Funakoshi himself, in 1943. Nishiyama is one of the founders of the JKA, where was also Me Hirokazu Kanazawa. Nishiyama settled in the USA in 1961 and created the All American Karate Federation (AAKF).

1950: Taiji Kase (left) vs Hidetaka Nishiyama (right)

USA vs Japan, 1965 :

March 1966 Black Belt magazine. Nishiyama organizes a first meeting between Japan and the USA in 1965, in Los Angeles. It takes place after the National Championships of the All America Karate Federation (AAKF). Japan is represented by the All Japan Collegiate Karate Team. The American team members are Frank Smith, Harry Kresse, Takashi Aoki, Dalke, Jack Webb and the coach is Gene Takahashi. Frank Smith loses against Yoshitomo Nagasawa. The only American winner is Dalke, beating Masaru Tokai. The Japanese are the winners, by 4 to 1.

2nd Goodwill Games, Tokyo, 1967 :

According to January 1968 Black Belt magazine, the All America Karate Federation USA team beats the All Japan Collegiate Karate Federation team in Tokyo, by 3 to 2. Frank Smith meets Tadahiro Kurozumi and Paul White meets Takenobu Okuno.

Frank Smith (right) vs Yoshitomo Nagasawa

1968 : World Invitational Karate Tournament

This paragraph is based on the article published in the No. 11/1968 issue of the German Judo/Karate federation journal.

From October 19th to November 14th, 1968, 4 world karate tournaments are held in the USA (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego) and Mexico City. 5 regions are represented, from Europe (Italy, Germany and England), Japan, Mexico, South America (Argentina and Uruguay) and the USA. Me Hidetaka Nishiyama organizes these tournaments. They are open to all styles. It is therefore a first step to the World Championships. The results are:

10.19.1968: Los Angeles. 19th Olympic Commemoration Invitational World Karate Championship Tournament.

The two above mentionned paragraphs are based on the February 1969 Black Belt issue. The Japanese are 7 fighters in their team and Europeans only 6. American Team, almost composed of AAKF fighters, include Frank Smith, John Gehisen, Ray Delk and James Yabe.

Southern California beats Europe (Falson, Ottagio and Paris for Italy, Sherry, for England, Popp in Germany) by 3 to 2.

Japan beats Southern California by 3.5 to 1.5 or 3 to 2, depending on the version.

Frank Smith, left, beats Masayoshi Yamagami.

An individual tournament takes place thereafter. Frank Smith loses his second match against Katsuyuki Miara. James Yabe loses against Yanagida. 4 Japanese are in the semi-finals and Tabata beats Ohishi in the finals.

San-Francisco: Goodwill match and Fourth All America Karate Federation Championships.

In individuals :

Frank Smith def Miyake in the semi finals and Sasano/Hawaï in the finals, for AAKF title.

Teams competition :

Europe beats Northern California 3 to 2

Japan beats Northern California 5 to 0

10.25.1968 : San Diego.

Europe beats the United States Collegiate All Team 3 to 2
The All Japan team beats the United States Collegiate Team 3.5 to 1.5

11.04.1968: Mexico: 19th Olympic Commemoration Invitational World Karate Championship Tournament.

The fighters have been selected during national tournaments and form five teams of the above mentioned regions. Results :

1st: Japan (undefeated)
2nd: USA
3rd: Europe
4th: Mexico
5th: South America

A congress is held at the same time in Mexico. The creation of a world federation and of the first World Championships is mentioned.

Ryoichi Sasakawa :

We are obliged to raise this personality at this point of our article. We will avoid sensationalism and we do not pronouncing on the facts of the following. On the Internet, in detailed articles, like those available at the following address, http://www.voltairenet.org/article13907.html, Http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryoichi_Sasakawa, it is often mentioned that Sasakawa was a member of various Japanese pre-war secret societies, which brought the territories occupied by Japan in cutting-settled.

He was arrested in 1945, as war criminal, before being released in 1948. Member of the yakusas, he put his services to Americans and anti-communist, while developing his economic activities.

Mr. Sasakawa's bust in the WHO, Geneva?

He became immensely rich. Sasakawa made philanthropies and sponsored sports activities. He became president of the FAJKO and the WUKO (see below), with his financial capabilities made to their development.

WUKO :

October 1970 : 1st World Championship (Tokyo)

In 1970, Jacques Delcourt/France created the International Karate Union (IKU). He wants to organize the first World Championships in Paris, the same year. Various discussions were held with Ryoichi Sasakawa.

The FAJKO enter into an agreement with the European Federation (EKU), recognizing it as a governing body for Europe and leaving to Japan the task of organizing these first tournament. Championships have already been announced in Paris for 1972.

Details on the Championship are taken from the number of March 1971, Black Belt Magazine and the number 11/1970, German federation Judo journal.

A stormy congress is held before the tournament. The WUKO, World Union of Karate-do Organizations, is nevertheless created at the time.

The championships organization was made during the last months. All major styles of karate are invited. According to some sources, the Japanese masters, based in various countries, selected fighters to send to the championships.

The first World Championships were held on October 10th, 1970.

Team's tournament :

There are 40 Japanese referees and only 2 referees from other countries.

Japan has 5 teams, the USA 4 and the other countries one.

Among the selected U.S., were included Ron Marchini and Mitchell Bobrow, well-known in various U.S. tournaments. Difficulties have existed during the selection of the fighters, between practitioners of typical Japanese or more American styles. The Americans have had to pay themselves, between $ 1,000 and U.S. $ 1,500 .--, to go to Tokyo. The teams are composed of 5 fighters. Results:

The U.S. B team, led by Tonny Tulleners, meets Korea, Hong Kong, France, Team B and E, Japan. Only these two last teams beat the U.S. B team. Tulleners and Takada of Japan remain unbeaten during the team's tournament. Against the Japan Team E, in semi-finals, Bob Shapoff loses against Oishi, James Yabe draws againstYazawa. John Gehlson draws against Tanaka and Tonny Tulleners beats Nakamura via Ippon. In the last fight, Georges Sasano loses against Ida.

The results:

1st Japan E
2nd Japan C
3rd Japan B
4th USA B

It is sometimes mentioned that the French Team wins bronze medal , in 1970 ,in Tokyo. The American newspapers of the time, as Black Belt in February and March 1971, suggested that the team USA B finished 4th, after having beaten France. The first three teams are Japanese. To avoid controversy, we join the page of the newspaper No. 11 of 1970, from the German federation, showing the matches between teams and mentioning the elimination of France in the quarter-finals, http://www. chronik-karate.de/material/1970_11_DJB-Magazin.pdf

Down left, a reference to the elimination of France by the USA.

To be complete, the excellent French site http://senseiruns.free.fr/index.php?page=pionniers presents this image, showing the French team as bronze medalist in 1970 ?

Who was bronze medalist in 1970 ?

Individuals :

In Osaka, 3 days after the teams Championship, the "Friendship Tournament", organized first as a non-title tournament, becomes known thereafter as the first individual World Championship. It is noteworthy that Black Belt Magazine already talked about it as such.

At the individual tournament, only two fighters pro nation are engaged, for a total of 48 fighters.

According to the rules, a waza-ari does not automatically give the win, but can give the decision at the end of the fight. The fight duration has been limited to 2 minutes, with 2 times 2 minutes over-time, if necessary. The results:

For France, Dominique Valera and Gilbert Gruss are present, as the German Richard Scherer and the Belgian Geert Lemmens. For USA, Tonny Tulleners and Ernie Brennecke represent this country. Tulleners was qualified for this Championship, preferably to Marchini and Borbrow, given his victories, without defeats, during 4 teams tournament held earlier in Tokyo. Tulleners is 24 years old and teaches karate. He was before a undercover policeman. Brennecke, qualified in individuals, has not participated to the teams tournament.

It would appear that no representative of the Korean Taekwondo and of Okinawa karate are present.

Quarter-finals :

Tulleners/USA def Takada/Japan. Cemovic is disqualified against Carno/Canada. Valera beats Jorga/ Yugoslavia. Scherer/RFA loses against Wada/Japan

Semi-finals :

Carnio beats Tulleners. Valera loses against Wada.

Finals :

Wada def Carnio.

Wada (right) vs Dominique Valera

We mention the presence of a woman from the Philippines team. She get a draw during a fight.

April 1972: 2nd World Championship (Paris)

This paragraph is based mainly on the article published in June 1972 issue of the Black Belt Magazine.

Japanese masters are again responsible for the selection of American fighters, as Me Nishiyama. There is a disagreement between the various American federations.

Regarding American selections, the article in Black Belt, refers to a qualification tournament held on March 5th, 1972, at Los Angeles and organized by AAKF. Several American federations refuse to take part or are not invited.

Mainly followers of traditional Japanese karate are selected. The winners are James Yabe, James Field Jr., Tonny Tulleners, Jerry Morrone, George Byrd, Frank Smith, Dave Vaughan and John Gehlsen. Ron Marchini is eliminated during the finals.

It is noteworthy that John Natividad, practicing Tang Soo Do, a student of Chuck Norris, was disqualified for hitting with to much contact.

In the August 1972 Official Karate issue, Jacques Delcourt, the president of the European Karate Federation, says he had problems to organize an American selection. He asked Mr. Uyehara, manager of the Black Belt magazine, to contact, among others, Ed Parker, Jhoon Rhee and Robert Trias, to organize a all styles selection. It was without success. Jacques Delcourt was contacted by Mr. Nishiyama, who will be responsible for this selection, via the AAU. Jacques Delcourt notes that the professional fighters are not allowed and that there are few Americans among the officials.

The Championships take place in Paris, in the Stade de Coubertin, on the 21st and 22nd April , 1972. The ticket price is between USD 6.-- and 20 .--. Each team member receives USD 22.-- per day, for his expenses. On April 19th, a referees selection will be made, after a clinic. On April 20th, a congress is organized and on April 23rd, a visit in Versailles is planned for the fighters.

Teams tournament :

The England team eliminates Japan. The French eliminate the English, before beating the USA. In the finals, France meets Italy. François Petitdemange beats his opponent, as Alain Setrouk. The Italian Guy Falsione beats Guy Sauvin. Valera gets a draw. Gilbert Gruss beats Schiappacasse. France wins the gold medal.

France team

1: France (Gilbert Gruss, François Petitdemange, Guy Sauvin, Alain Setrouk and Dominique Valera)
2. : Italy (Parisi, Schiappacasse, Munda, Fassione, Falsoni?)
3: United Kingdom
4: Singapore

Individuals :

According to some versions, Americans, Canadians and Japanese would have withdrawn, given the problems encountered with the referees, during the teams tournament. The results:

1st Luiz Tasuke Watanabe/Brazil
2nd William Higgins/G.B.
3rd Guy Sauvin/France
4th Schupter/Yugoslavia

Luis Tasuke Watanabe was born in 1947 in Japan and has settled as a child in Brazil.. During the tournament, he beats Luciano Parisi/Italy, Bam Bang/Indonesia, Istvan Sipter/Yugoslavia, Ticky Donovan/Great Britain, Ken Wittstock/South Africa, Huber Louis Meyer/Netherlands, Guy Sauvin/France and William Higgins/Great Britain.

Watanabe, left, vs Higgins

William Higgins will be further team gold medallist in Los Angeles in 1975, and will also practice for the AIKF. He practises Wado Ryu style. Guy Sauvin, 28 years old, has already been the same year France and Europe champion. Thereafter, he will remain for many years National Technical Director of the French Karate.

October 1975: 3rd World Championship (Long-Beach)

This article is based, on the February 1976 issue of Karate Illustrated magazine and on the number 1/1976 German federation Karate journal.

Initially, this Championship was scheduled for 1974, but difficulties between federations have postponed it for a year.

For the American selections, a preliminary tournament brought together 26 fighters at Long-Beach. Many among them have paid themselves the costs. Huey Daniels, Kenneth Ferguson and others are selected.

Before the World Championships is held the WUKO congress, on the Queen Mary, in the Los Angeles harbour. The French Jacques Delcourt is the Chairman. Some karate teams are also sleeping on the Queen Mary.

The role of sponsor of President Ryoichi Sasakawa is mentioned on many occasions, with the risks of interference in the decisions, because M. Sasakawa brings his financial help to the WUKO. The role of the Japanese federation FAJKO, inside the WUKO, is observed (the two entities are sharing the same building).

Regarding referees, a clinic is held prior to the competitions. A first session was held in Tokyo, two months earlier. The rules comprise 36 pages. The referees made a written test and a practical test. 46 referees receive their certification.

The fights take place at Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles. According to the organizers, during the two days, 6000 people have visited the tournament, for 14,000 seats. Other sources cite only a few hundred spectators.

Teams tournament :

30 teams are present, one for each country. The results:

1st: Great Britain: (Brian Fitkin, Eugene Codrington, William Higgins, Adams and Bennett)
2nd: Japan (J. Hamaguchi, Kazusada Murakami, Yoshikaz Ono, Tsuchiy, Yonimitsu)
3rd: Netherlands

Britain has beaten South Africa, Philippines and Belgium, then Japan in the finals, by 2 to 1. Japan has beaten New Zealand, Switzerland, Singapore and Netherlands. France (title holder) is beaten in the first round by Australia, Germany by Philippines and the U.S.A. by Belgium.

Individuals :

The second day, 130 fighters from 34 nations compete for the title. 4 combatants are allowed pro nation. Following the injuries occurred during the teams tournament, protections hands are introduced. The results:

1st: Kazusada Murakami/Japan
2nd: Juni Chiro Hamaguchi/Japan
3rd: Pedro Antonio Rivera/Dominican Republic
4th: Roger Paschy/France.

Murakami (right), 1975 World Champion

In semi-finals, Hamaguchi beats Rivera and Murakami def Roger Paschy. Rivera def Paschy for the third place.

Video are available on You Tube, the address: http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=5ijFbF5SYpI, http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=pDnfc4aKv1M and http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=PpJOkj8dzA4.

Demonstrations made by Bill Wallace, Al Dacascos, Fumio Demura and Dan Inosanto, are available on You Tube. Fighting women have taken place during this championship, without further precision. The Championship was a financial failure.

For those who would be interested in the incident created by Dominique Valera, during these championships, please refer to the article which is devoted to this fighter, in this blog.

1977 : Fourth World Championship (Tokyo)

These Championships take place in Tokyo. 400 karatekas from 47 countries are participating.

Teams tournament :

1st: Netherlands, with Fred Royers
2nd: RFA
3rd: France
4th: Iran

Individuals :

1st: Otti Roethoff/Netherlands
2nd: Eugene Codrington/United Kingdom
3rd: Chen Chien/Taiwan
4th: Jean-Pierre Carbila/Spain

Thereafter, the WUKO World Championships will include weight divisions.

IAKF :

Background :

The third WUKO World Championships are scheduled for 1974, also at Long-Beach. Any problems between federations create a schism. Me Nikiyama, former vice-president of the WUKO, then organizes his own World Championship, with representatives of the JKA. He founded the IAKF (International Amateur Karate Federation), focusing on the traditional Karate. Thereafter, both the WUKO and IAKF compete for the IOC recognition.

1975 : 1st World Championships (Los Angeles)

The date and place for this first Championship are very similar to those of the WUKO, because it takes place in Los Angeles at the end of August 1975 (Los Angeles, October 1975 for WUKO). Results:

Teams tournament :

22 participating teams.

1st: Japan
2nd: Germany (West Germany)
3rd: Italy
3rd: Canada

Individuals :

2 fighters pro nation.

Quarter-finals :

Oishi beats O'Grady/Japan. Hedlund/Sweden def Willrodt/Germany. Higgins/GB def. Evans/USA. Tanaka/Japan def Michelis/Italy.

Semi-finals :

Oishi def Hedlund. Tanaka def Higgins.

Finals :

Tanaka def Oishi, for the first place.
Higgins beats Hedlund, for the third place.

Higgins had attended both the WUKO and the IAKF 1975 Championships.

1977 : 2nd World Championship (Tokyo)

These Championship takes place in Tokyo, on 2nd and 3rd July, 1977. This time, too, IAKF chooses the same year and the same city as the WUKO. Results:

Teams tournament :

1st: Japan
2nd: Germany
3rd: Britain
4th: Yugoslavia

Individuals :

1st: Masahiko Tanaka/Japan
2nd: De Michelis/Italy
3rd: Willrodt/Germany
4th: Spoljaril/Australia

Images of a fight between Tanaka and Willrodt: http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=yhIv8p__1Mk

Tanaka (left) against Wichmann/Germany, teams tournament

during the finals, 1977

Masahiko Tanaka has therefore won the gold medal in individuals at the first two IAKF Championships, then the team gold medal, during the third World IAKF Championships, at Bremen/Germany, 1980.

Conclusions :

The problems between the WUKO and IAKF are very old and are "made in"Japan. These two federations will change their names later, becoming the WKF and ITKF.

Traditional Karate has lived what the USA Karate, Taekwondo, Full-Contact and even boxing, also failed to prevent, the creation of several opposed federations. This way, it was very difficult for the public to recognize this sports.

Finally, the Karate experienced a similar trend to the Judo (broadcast globally well before the Karate). Judo has also created his World Championships, 2 times in Tokyo (1956 and 1958), then in Paris (1960). The periods of time, between the Judo and Karate diffusion and the creation of their respective World Championships, are similar.

PKA, WAKO, WKA and other associations

2008-06-01T01:15:00.000-07:00

Introduction :

It is very difficult to establish the history of the different federations created to manage the full-contact fights, in the U.S. or in Europe, since 1970.

Considering the different versions available about the federations and their creators, it seems illusory to be categorical about their veracity.

Only federations created between 1970 and 1980, in the U.S. or Europe and governing the full-contact karate or kick-boxing, will be discussed.

To avoid any controversy, we will not mention the various versions about the problems between members of these federations, their disputes, widely discussed on the Internet.

Background :

With the development of karate fights with ko, mainly Joe Lewis against Greg Baines in 1970, the need to manage this activity becomes quickly apparent. This first battle took place during a traditional karate tournament.

The same year, the bouts between Joe Lewis and Ed Daniels and between Jim Harrison and Victor Moore, organized by Lee Faulkner, may be regarded as the first attempt to manage such events, even if no federation was involved (see article about Joe Lewis).

Thereafter, Aaron Banks has organized numerous Joe Lewis' fight with ko, during his tournament and outside any federation.

PKA 1974 (Professional Karate Association) :

The PKA was created 2 weeks after the 1974 championships in Los Angeles, which is the subject of a separate article in this blog. Mike Anderson is the creator of this federation, and 2 weeks before the date, he received the help of Don and Judy Quine, for organising the evening. Judy and Don Quine were well introduced in the media.

PKA logo, date unknown

Thereafter, several problems have arisen between the Quine and Anderson. The latter sold them his PKA parts, for one dollar, in 1975.

The PKA was the most recognized federation, between 1974 and 1985. Don and Judy Quine, with Joe Corley, have produced many fights, on ESPN TV.

The PKA has other financial problems, and new promoters take control of it.

Main activities :

The 1974 championships, in Los Angeles, with Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace, Jeff Smith and Isaias Duenas as champions, can not be cited as a PKA organization, created 2 weeks after this date.

The 04.23.1977 fights in Las Vegas, with 3 world titles, Ross Scott against Everett Eddy, Bill Wallace against Blinky Rodriguez and Benny Urquidez against Howard Jackson, were organized by the PKA.

1975 WPKO: (World Professional Karate Organization) :

We have already mentioned this organization and his creator, Aaron Banks, in an article devoted to his tournament in New-York, in 1975. We do not know other activities for the WPKO.

1975? NKL (National Karate League) :

We do not have much information about the NKL, which was created by Larry Scott and Valerie Williams, then headed by Chuck Norris. It is possible that the NKL, with bad financial situation, has been taken over by the WKA, in 1976.

Benny Urquidez fought for this federation, before moving to the WKA.

1976 WMAA (World Martial Arts Association) :

In 1976, Mike Anderson founded the WMAA, after leaving the PKA. His aim was to create a federation for amateurs, for the development of this sport. The federation has changed names several times, before becoming the WAKO.

1977 WAKO (World All-Styles Karate Organization) :

In 1977, in Berlin with his friend Georg Brueckner, Anderson has invited karate officials from 12 countries at a meeting. They became the Council of the WMAA and signed an agreement for the promotion of full-contact and semi-contact. Anderson was elected chairman and will remain 10 years in charge.

Thereafter, the name of the WMAA became WAKO, the World All-Styles Karate Organization. Anderson acknowledges the merit of Georg Brueckner for the development of the WAKO.

It should be noted that, depending on the versions, the role of founder of the WMAA or WAKO, is very different. Some European sites speak more about Georg Brueckner as the true founder of the WAKO, accompanied by Mike Anderson, Jan Stocker and Geert Lemmens, among others.

The WAKO PRO will also be created to manage the activities of professional fighters.

Note that the WAKO, many years and separations later, became the World Association of Kick-Boxing Organizations.

WAKO current logo

Main activities :

In 1978, the first WAKO World Championships are held in Berlin/Germany, then the second in Tampa/Florida, in 1979.

1976 WKA (World Kick-Boxing Association) :

Howard Hanson and Arnold Urquidez, brother Benny, have created the WKA in autumn 1976. It handles both fighting full-contact kick-boxing.

Howard Hanson has produced fighting for PKA and Quine, after their separation from Mike Anderson.

WKA current logo

Main activities :

The Benny Urquidez' fights, in Japan and in USA.

Various other organizations during this period :

Jhoon Rhee has created the WBBL, the World Black Belt League and Joe Corley the SEPKC, the South East Professional Karate Commission. We know nothing about these federations.

Conclusions :

We can only regret the difficulties encountered by all these federations to manage the full-contact or kick-boxing, since its birth. A single federation would have avoided the plethora of titles and the lack of details about his history.

It is noted that the traditional or professional karate in the U.S. had not previously done differently, like boxing and its multiple federations.

Today, there is still not a single one world federation, for full-contact or kick-boxing.

1975 : WPKO the second World Championships

2008-05-17T10:13:00.000-07:00

Introduction :

The main source of this article is the sept 1975 issue of the newspaper "Oriental Fighting Arts".

On May, the 10th, 1975, Aaron Banks, with the help of Bob Arum, organizes at Long-Island, the World Professional Karate Championships (for his federation, the World Professional Karate Organization, WPKO). The fights took place with KO. New world titles are awarded at the end of the tournament. This is the second major tournament of this type, after the September the 14th, 1974, in Los Angeles.

Rules :

The fights took place for 3 rounds, in a ring, something new. Fighters are wearing gloves, but no feet protections. Knee blows are allowed. The combatants are sometimes waist stripped or are wearing a kimono. These details have more to do with Kick-Boxing than with Full-Contact.

A tournament with KO rules is also organized for women during the evening. A fight between a woman, Beth Bussey and a man, Joe Hess, has already taken place at the Oriental World of Self Defense, in June 1974, also organized by Aaron Banks. Joe Hess has put his opponent to the canvas, but she gets up and loses on points. He measures 6'22 ", weighs 270 lbs, and is aged with 35, while Beth Bussey weighs 125 lbs.

Fights :

On May, the 10th, 1975, the ABC TV filmed the event and Ed Parker makes comments.

Various preliminary fights are taking place, between unknown fighters.

Tournament for women or mixed :

Marion Bermudez, Kempo Karate, beats Anthony Suarez (a man practicing Goju-Ryu). The referee is Chuck Norris. Marion Bermudez beats his opponent on points.

Marion Bermudez (left) vs Anthony Suarez and a well known referee

Beth Bussey fights with Fay Schreibman, practicing Kempo. The two women bleed from the nose after a few blows. Fay Schreibman wins at the beginning of the 3rd round, when her opponent can not answer the bell.

Tournament for men :

Lightweights : Tayari Casel is practicing Kung-Fu or Bando. He has participated in the Oriental World of Self Defense in 1974, losing against Little John Davis, Karate, on points 24-25;t o the Third Staten Island Championships and the Tournament of the Century 1973, where he has beaten Preston Baker. Casel has also participated in the 1974 free style tournament with contact, in New York organized by Fred Hamilton. He beats on points Ronnie Long, and Ronald Bass, before losing against Harry Grump. During this tournament with ko, the fighters were not wearing protection.

For the WPKO, Casel doesn't agree with the fight rules and exits from the ring before the fight. He comes back at the request of organizers. He is opposed to Benny Urquidez, a confirmed champion in traditional fights or full-contact. Casel falls intentionally to the ground and fights his opponent from the canvas. After several blows exchanges, the referee gives Casel a count, and the latter refuses to stand up. At the end of the 3 rounds, Benny Urquidez is declared the winner, on points.

Casel battles from the canvas and Urquidez is standing

Middleweights : Kasim Dubur (Dubar), Yugoslavia Karate champion, has already fought at a full-contact tournament, losing his match. After that, he has trained in boxing. Dubur also participated in the 1974 free style contact tournament, organized by Fred Hamilton and lost against Errol Bennet.

For the WPKO, Dubur meets also Errol Bennet, U.S. National champion, practicing Shotokan. Each fighter falls to the canvas, but Dubur is declared the winner on points. The referee is Chuck Norris.

Light heavyweights : For the WPKO, Fred Miller fights Darnell Garcia, Karate instructor in the Chuck Norris' School. Garcia, in the 3rd round, suffered from a removed shoulder. Fred Miller wins on points.

Miller practices karate, possibly Shotokan and has already took place in a tournament organized by Aaron Banks, Connecticut vs. New York, in 1971. He had finished 2nd. Fred Miller also participated in the 1974 free style tournament organized of Fred Hamilton and had defeated Dennis Davis and Young Jerry Steward.

Heavyweights : Joe Hess, practicing Goju-Ruy, beats by tko Ernest Hyman (Ernest Heyman) practicing the same art. His opponent is unable to answer the bell at the beginning of the 3rd round. During the fight, Joe Hess gives a shuto with his hand, on Hyman's neck. It is prohibited by the rules. Hess is not penalized, while his opponent is severely affected. Hyman had already participated in a tournament organized by Aaron Banks, Connecticut vs. New York, in 1971 and has finished 2nd in the heavyweights.

Hess, on the left, gives a knee blow to Hyman

Who are they and where are they now :

Joe Hess practices judo (5th Dan), kung-fu and karate Goju-Ryu (6th Dan). In 1972, he wins the U.S. Karate Champion? He is also an instructor for police department.

Darnel Garcia beats Joe Lewis in 1972 , for the Internationals, organized by Ed Parker. In 1974, he lost against Jeff Smith, also for the Internationals. He appears in the film "New Gladiators", from 1974, with Benny Urquidez. He works for the Los-Angeles police department.

Fred Miller beats Mike Mobley, on points, for the light-heavyweights world title, at the World Professional Karate Championships, in 1976.

Tayari Casel has participated in other Karate tournaments, as the Top Ten Nationals, the AKA Grand Nationals and the Battle of Atlanta. He is currently an Kung-Fu instructor.

In 1974, Marion Bermudez wins the Rocky Mountain Tournament, beating Marlene Beum. The same year, she wins the Ed Parker's Internationals, beating Mikie Rowe. She also wins a free style tournament in Arizona, against men. She also beats Lilly Urquidez, for a match full-contact.

Marion Bermudez was the winner of the 1975 Internationals, as a brown belt.

March 1975 Marion Bermudez has amateur boxing fights, during the Golden Gloves, in Phoenix, against men, beating Edwardo Porras on points, and loosing to Fernando Granillo, in the first round. She is a student in engineering. She also beats a woman, Ersi Arvizu, on points in 3 rounds, at The Lake Tahoe. At this point, Marion Bermudez has a 6-0 record in pro boxing. According to boxrec, she has a record of two fights, two wins, won by ko in 1976 and 1977.

Currently, Anthony Suarez teaches Goju-Ryu Karate. He is a 7th dan.

Benny Urquidez is the subject of a separate article in this blog.

The career of Aaron Banks is mentioned in the article "Tournaments and promoter"

Conclusions :

Organized by Aaron Banks, also practicing Goju-Ryu, this Championship hosts many practitioners of this style. Most of the fighters are coming from New York, the city of Aaron Banks. No detail is given about how they were selected.

Fighters, except Benny Urquidez, will not have after the tournament, a notorious career in Full-Contact.

Many similarities exist between this World Championship and the one organized in 1974 by Mike Anderson, at Los-Angeles. We quote :

- The presence of Chuck Norris as a referee (judge in Los Angeles)
- Only one fighter has a serious experience in fighting with KO, Benny Urquidez (Joe Lewis in Los Angeles)
- The presence of ABC to film the fights, which will create a problem for this channel, already in connection with the PKA, for the same issue of Wide World of Sports.
- The creation of a federation just before the championships, the WPKO (PKA-Los Angeles).

Some opposition also existed between Mike Anderson and Aaron Banks.

We founds no video from the fights.

We are not aware of a possible second edition of the WPKO championships.

Tournaments and Promoters

2008-04-18T21:50:00.001-07:00

Introduction :

American traditional karate tournaments are held on a regular basis since the 1960's. The promoters decide of the qualifications and participants, mostly Americans. In addition, competitors may come from various styles, as karate and Taekwondo. No federation regulates this sport.

The tournaments were often divided into weight classes (light, medium, medium-heavy and heavy). The winners of each category met for the title of Grand Champion.

Major tournaments and organizers :

Ed Parker :

Born in Hawaii, Ed Parker gets a black belt in judo at the age of 15. In 1953, he received his black belt in Kempo, from William Chow.

In 1956, Ed Parker arrives in California / USA, to teach Kempo. He founded the American Kempo Karate, using various techniques from other martial arts. He also creates the IKKA, International Kempo Karate Association.

He becomes a karate instructor, and develops, like others, a franchise system for his schools.

In 1973 and 1974, the film "New Gladiators" is turned. A team of karatekas (Ron Marchini, Benny Urquidez, Darnell Garcia, Tom Kelly and John Natividad) went to Belgium and England. Ed Parker is at the head of this team. Elvis Presley finances the project. A demonstration by Elvis, September 16, 1974, is included in this film.

The most famous student of Ed Parker was Elvis Presley,
Bringing here a beautiful red belt ...

Ed Parker died in 1990, at the age of 59.

Videos demonstrations of Ed Parker are available on You Tube at this address :http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=gFSUPDGvFVM. We also include a video of Elvis Presley, "practicing" karate, http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=hRJP6I7fAqU , with Bill Wallace for a short time.

Elvis Presley would have received an honorary belt in Kempo 8th Dan, for his promotion.

His tournament :

Since 1964, and for 27 years, Ed Parker is organising the "Internationals Karate Championships."

At the first issue in 1964, won by Mike Stone, Bruce Lee presents a demonstration of punch arrested.

In 1973, an amount of USD 2,500 .-- is offered for the title of Grand Champion. John Natividad, a student of Chuck Norris, beats Benny Urquidez by 13 to 12. This battle is considered as one of the best, in light-contact.

In 1974, 6,000 fighters are participating in the tournament. In 1975, an amount of USD 16'250 is scheduled for the championship Pro/Am. The winner of the katas wins about USD 1,000 .--.

Main results :

1964: Mike Stone winner against Harry Keolanui for the Grand Champion
1965: Mike Stone winner of the Grand Champion, beats Art Pelela and Tony Tulleners
1966: Allen Steen beats Chuck Norris and Joe Lewis.
1967: Chuck Norris beats Joe Lewis for the title of Grand Champion.
1968: Chuck Norris beats Steve Sanders for the Grand Champion. Joe Lewis was disqualified for having struck an opponent. He is also sent to the canvas by Jim Harrison.
1969: Joe Lewis wins Grand Champion
1970: Joe Lewis wins Grand Champion
1971: Joe Lewis wins maybe Grand Champion against Steve Sanders
1972: Joe Lewis loses against Darnell Garcia, for the Grand Champion

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Allen Steen :

Allen Steen, Texas, practice the Tang Soo Do since 1959. In 1962, he received his black belt from the hands of Jhoon Rhee.

After the Jhoon Rhee's departing for Washington, Allen Steen is teaching Karate in Texas (named Texas Blood and Guts Karate, because of his violence), as well as in franchised schools .

In 1963, Allen Steen eventually gets second place at the World Championships in Chicago. Note that this title is awarded by the organizer of the tournament and has nothing to do with a real title of World Champion.

Allen Steen is the director of the Southwest Black Belt Karate Association, which he founded in 1967. This organization became the American Black Belt Karate Association, in 1972. He also takes care of Texas Karate Institute in Dallas.

In 1966, he won the All American Grand Championship and the International Championships, Grand Champion. He is part of the winning team of US National Karate Team, Hawaii. He withdrew from the competition in 1967.

Allen Steen (left) vs. Chuck Norris

Steen is one of the few to have beaten Mike Stone, even though he was still brown belt.

Among the student of Steen are included Mike Anderson, Pat Burleson, Skipper Mullins, Fred Weren, Demetrius Havanas, Jim Butin and Roy Kurban.

In 1980, Allen Steen is announced as the 10th Dan black belt.

His tournament :

In 1963, Steen created the "Southwest Karate Championships", which became in 1964 the United States Karate Championships. " According to some sources, Mike Stone, still brown belt, won the black belts tournament and Allen Steen won the Grand Champion. This championship is held for 25 years the second weekend of February and cared by Allen Steen.

In 1964, there are 133 fighters from 32 schools and 2'100 spectators.

In 1965, the tournament is renamed the "US Karate Championships."

In 1973, 1'047 competitors are present, as 8,000 spectators.

Main results :

Grand Champion :
1963: Allen Steen beats Mac Coy
1964: Keith See beats Allen Steen
1965: David Moon beats Corselio. According to other sources, the runner-up was AlGene Caraulia
1966: David Moon def Pat Burleson
1967: David Moon beats Terry Conver
1968: Joe Lewis vs. Chuck Norris
1969: Fred Wren beats Jim Harrison
1970: Fred Wren def Bill Watson
1971: Bill Wallace beats Skipper Mullins
1972: Bob Dunek beats Roy Kurban
1973: Bill Wallace beats Roy Kurban
1974: Bill Wallace beats Flem Evans

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Jhoon Rhee :

A section is devoted in this blog to Jhoon Rhee and his invention of the protections, which need not be repeated here.

Jhoon Rhee arrives in the USA in 1956, and teaches the Taekwondo in Texas , then named Tang Soo Do. Among his students, is included Allen Steen.

Jhoon Rhee moved to Washington in 1962. He opens many schools around the world, organizes a variety of demonstrations, including a famous American politicians tournament between seniors.

Jhoon Rhee in action

In full-contact time, Jhoon Rhee created the Black Belt World League/WBBL.

Among his students, we can cite Jeff Smith and Mike Anderson.

On You Tube can be find videos from various Jhoon Rhee : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=lUYReyqgh1w.

His tournament :

Jhoon Rhee organizes in 1964, the "US National Karate Championships," in Washington. This is the first tournament filmed by television for the program Wide World of Sports. In 1964, he organizes also the First Southwest Karate Championships in Dallas, Keith See is the winner, facing Allen Steen.

Main results :

1964: Pat Burleson wins the first title, vs Herbert Peters.
1965: Mike Stone def Walt Worthy?, Grand Champion
1966: Joe Lewis wins the title against LaPuppet and wins the katas.
1967: Joe Lewis beats Frank Hargrowe
1968: Joe Lewis wins
1969: Joe Lewis wins
1970: Pat Worley wins the title of Grand Champion.

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Henry Cho :

Henry Cho is the 9th dan black belt in taekwondo. The Korean arrived in the USA as a student. He opened a school in New York in 1961 and participated in numerous demonstrations.

In 1974, he founded the branch of Taekwondo in the Amateur Athletic Union, AAU. Thereafter, it will become the USTU, becoming a full member of the US Olympic Committee.

Henry Cho

His tournament :

Since 1965, he administers the "All American Open Taekwondo/Karate/Kung Fu Championships Tournament." Henry Cho products it during 23 years, at the Madison Square Garden.

Main results :

The winners :
1965: LaPuppet
1966: Julio La Salle
1967: Chuck Norris
1968: Chuck Norris
1969: Mitchell Bobrow
1970: William Swift
1971: Yu Byong Youg
1972: Mike Warren
1973: Albert Cheeks
1974: Michael Warren
1975: George Thanos
1976: Donnie Collins
1977: Michael Warren
1978: Gerard Robbins
1979: Michael Warren

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Robert Trias :

With Robert Trias, born in 1923, we encounter one of the US Karate pioneers. He learned this art while serving during World War II in the Solomon Islands. He also practiced boxing and judo. He teaches in the USA, and creates the United States Karate Association / USKA.

Robert Trias

Among his students, we mention Scott Ross and Victor Moore.

His tournament :

In 1963, Robert Trias organizes the "First World Karate Tournament" in Chicago, primarily to open American fighters, in spite of its name. This tournament becomes the "USKA Nationals" in 1966 and "USKA Grand Nationals" in 1968.

Main results :

1963 : Al Caraulia Gene
1964 : Victor Moore beats the champion from Hawaii. According to other sources, Mike Stone wins over Ray Cooper in the semi-finals and Mill Crenshaw in the finals.
1968 : Victor Moore beats Joe Lewis for the World's Hemisphere Karate Championships, (sometimes called World's Fair) USKA Grand National
1969 : Victor Moore beats Mike Stone, for the World Championships Team
1970 : Victor Moore beats Bill Wallace for the first USKA Professional World Championships
1972 : Bill Wallace beats Joe Lewis
1973 : Bill Wallace beats ?
1974 : Flem Evans beats Bill Wallace
1975 : Flem Evans wins
1976 : Flem Evans wins

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Aaron Banks :

Aaron Banks gets his karate black belt in 1962, after having been a student of John Kuhl, practicing Goju Ryu. He opened his own school in New York. Aaron Banks holds his first demonstration in 1963.

Aaron Banks

With Al Weiss, he publishes the newspaper Official Karate since 1968, less traditional than Black Belt Magazine. He organizes the Oriental World of Self Defense, itinerant exhibition.

He also takes care of the newspaper World Karate, in the 1970's.

His tournaments :

East Coast vs. West Coast, In 1968, at the Manhattan Center in New York, during a tournament organized by Aaron Banks, the team of the East Coast beats the West Coast team. The winning team, coached by Ed Parker, is represented by Joe Lewis, Steve Sanders, Chuck Norris, and Jerry Taylor. The team from the East, coached by Banks, is represented by Thomas LaPuppet, Joe Hayes, Kazuyoshi Tanaka and Louis Delgado. 3,800 spectators were present at the Manhattan Center. Lewis wins against LaPuppet with a final side-kick and wins also against Louis Delgado. In the same tournament, Delgado beats Norris, Jerry Taylor beats Joseph Hayes, Norris beats LaPuppet, Tanaka beats Sanders and Taylor beat s Tanaka. These could be traditional Karate.

In 1968, Aaron Banks organizes the "Orient vs US" tournament. Joe Lewis lost against N. Tanaka, from Shotokan, and living in the USA. According to the journal "Black Belt" from dec 1968, Joe Lewis was penalized for violent banned blows and had a bad conduct on the canvas. In the same tournament, Joe Hayes beats Bob Chin, a kung-fu man. Dwight "Hawk" Frazier beats Shoen, a Bando style player. Shigeru Numano, Gensei-Ryu style, beats Luis Delgado. Ron Marchini beats Hoy Lee, Bando style. Chuck Norris beats Theodore Wong, Shotokan. US team wins against Orient. The audience had a bad attitude against the Orient Team.

World Professional Karate Championship. The following information is drawn from May 1969 Black Belt issue. This professional karate meeting is organized by Aaron Banks on November 24th 1968. It takes place at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. There is possibly 3 rounds per fights.

David Moon, Texas, def Canadian Wally Slocki, by 39 to 38. The match was tight and the crowd enthusiastic. Kazuyoshi Tanaka of Japan meets Skipper Mullins, for the lightweights world title. Skipper Mullins would have earned the title of the lightweights at the professional championship in Dallas, a few weeks ago. Mullins dominates the Japanese and win by 91 to 66.

Chuck Norris wants to take revenge, facing Louis Delgado, his defeat collected the year before, during the encounter between West Coast and East Coast. Delgado is more than 10 years younger than his opponent. Norris sends Delgado to the canvas, with a punch, in the first round. In the second, Delgado sends his opponent to the canvas, with a kick in the mouth. The fight resumed so fierce and in the end, Chuck Norris wins by 101 to 93. According to other versions, Delgado would have suffered from a broken arm.

Mike Stone dominates widely against Bob Taiani, alias Tara Takayuki. At a certain point, the doctor finds that Mike Stone has broken his ankle. Despite this, the game resumed and Stone wins by 93 to 70.

Joe Lewis, presented as the "Bad-Boy from Karate" in the journal Black Belt, meets Victor Moore. Both fighters, dressed in black, use many kicks. Joe Lewis is cut above the eye. In the end, the crowd applauds the fighters and Lewis wins by 84 to 66. Each winner would have earned U.S. $ 600 .--. Only Chuck Norris would have defended his title the following year, against an unknown opponent.

Something is surprising. In this article, the name "World Championships" is used only once, and it concerns only the battle between Tanaka and Mullins. A question remains. When this tournament became a World Championship for all participants, as seems to show the various current enrolment in records.

We should not confuse this tournament with the "World Professional Karate Championships WPKC ", organized in February 1968, in Kansas City, by Jim Harrison.

At the full-contact time, Aaron Banks creates the "World Professional Karate Organization / WPKO" and organizes on May 10, 1975, an evening with 4 World Championships, Joe Hess in the heavyweights, Fred Miller in the light heavyweights, Kasim Dubur (Dubar) in the middleweights and Benny Urquidez in the lightweights. In this blog, a special article is about this tournament.

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Mike Anderson :

Born in the USA, he practices various sports, including Taekwondo since 1961. he was a student of Jhoon Rhee.

Mike Anderson is studying in Germany, where he teaches his art. He teaches the Taekwondo to Georg Brückner, head of the Brückner Institut in Berlin, fighting sports pioneer in Germany.

Mike Anderson

Mike Anderson participates in various tournaments in Europe, before returning to the USA. He publishes the newspaper "Professional Karate" .

We have already spoken about Mike Anderson in the article about the Sept. 17, 1974 in Los-Angeles and the creation of the PKA, two weeks after.

He leaves PKA, which he created, before founding WMAA. This federation becomes the WAKO, with Anderson as President for many years. Brückner is in charge of the development of the WAKO in Europe.

Thereafter, Anderson will organize various competitions in full-contact, as the evening in Paris in 1976, with the USA team against Europe (mentioned in another article).

His tournament :

Mike Anderson is organizing the tournament named Top-Ten National or Top-Ten Grand National. In 1973, Jhoon Rhee protections are used for the first (or second) time in history, in his tournament. In 1974, the tournament becomes the Top-Ten National Professional Karate and includes a competition of professional Katas.

Main results :

1972: Chuck Loven wins a title and Bill Wallace wins another title
1973: Howard Jackson wins the title of Grand Champion
1974: No title of Grand Champion
Gordon Franks beats Cecil Peoples for the lightweights
Bill Wallace beats Flem Evans for the middleweights
Jim Butin beats Jeff Smith for the light heavyweights
Eddy "Monster Man" Everett beats Joe Lewis for the heavyweights

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Joe Corley :

He starts with Tang Soo Do in 1963 and receives his black belt in 1966. He opens his first school in 1967, at age 21.

Joe Corley Wallace met Bill in 1975,
For the world title means PKA in full-contact.

Currently, Joe Corley still teaches karate.

His tournament :

Joe Corley has organized in Atlanta the "Battle of Atlanta"since 1970. At the time, only two weight classes exist, heavyweights and lightweights. The Battle of Atlanta was first organized in traditional karate, and after in professional before introducing the full-contact.

In 1973, 800 fighters took part in the competition. Since then, the tournament has not ceased to grow and be the subject of numerous TV reports.

The name of the tournament is also a famous battle during the Civil War.

Main results :

1970: Joe Lewis beats Mitchell Bobrow for the heavyweights and Joe Hayes for the Grand Championship.
1973: Howard Jackson wins the title.
1974: Howard Jackson wins the title, beating Fred Wren by 8-5 and Jeff Smith by 4-3 . In the final, he beats Mike Warren. For the 3rd place, Jeff Smith beats Eddy Everett 3-2.
In 1975, Joe Corley meets Bill Wallace, for the middleweights title in full-contact, in front of 12,000 spectators. Bill Wallace wins by tko in the 9th rounds.
In 1977, Ross Scott beats Jerry Rhome by ko, in full-contact.

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Conclusion :

The success of tournaments corresponded with the emergence of outstanding champions, as Joe or Bill Lewis Wallace, among others. In addition, media coverage has been ensured, surfing with the incredible success of the martial arts, during this time.

Howard Jackson, a very talented champion

2008-04-07T11:07:00.001-07:00

Introduction :

Howard Jackson, 5'5'', 145 lbs, was born in 1951, in a poor family of the USA, and very quickly becomes an orphan. He practices Tang Soo Do. He joins the Marines and trains with Chuck Norris and Bob Wall's team.

Traditional Karate :

1973 : US Open Professional. Ocean City. Jeff Smith beats Howard Jackson 7-6, in the finals. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOjqz2SWdls

Jackson wins the Top Ten Grand Champion, in St. Louis in 1973, beating Johnny Lee for the Grand Champion. He twice wins the Grand Champion of the Battle of Atlanta, in 1973 and 1974. In 1973, Jackson beats Glenn Keeney and Bill Wallace, in the semi-finals and Jeff Smith in the finals. In 1974, Howard Jackson beats Fred Wren 8-5 and Jeff Smith by 4-3. In the final, he beats Mike Warren.

Atlanta, 1973. Jackson, on the canvas, beats Jeff Smith.

In 1974, he wins the US Championships in Dallas, beating Larry Carnahan and Fred Wren.

In July 1974, he loses against Gordon Franks at the Top Ten Nationals. During that match, Howard Jackson is already suffering from a knee injury, suffered during the Rocky Mountain Championships, after rolling on an waste, during a match.

Professional Karate :

In 1974, at the United States Professional Championships in Dallas, Howard Jackson beats Larry Carnahan.

During the tour of the USA team in Europe, to select opponents for Los Angeles, Howard Jackson beats Frank Knittel by 4/0, in Berlin, in May 1974.

Semi-contact or points-karate :

We do not know anything of his career in this sport, few distinct from other at the time. Here is the link to a fight, certainly in semi-contact, disputed by Howard Jackson. Http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=YWv03e99IxM

Full-contact :

During the first full-contact World Championships, on Sept. 14th 1974, in Los Angeles, Howard Jackson is announced as the big favourite in his category, the lightweights. His opponent in the semi-final is Ramon Smith, 22 years old, of the Dominican Republic. He is hired two weeks before the championships, to replace Jose Luis Olivares, Mexico. The latter is a practitioner of Taekwondo. With Ramiro Guzman and Isaias Duenas, he wins the team bronze medal, at the first World Championships, in Seoul, in 1973.

Ramon Smith also practices Taekwondo, but his name does not appear among those of the medallists, at any World Championships.

Howard Jackson is still injured with his knee. He loses on points against Ramon Smith, in 3 rounds. Throughout the match, the two opponents are trying to put themselves to the ground.

Howard Jackson (left) against Ramon Smith

After a return to the competition in 1976 with a points victory over Sam Montgomery, Howard Jackson beats Ricci Wynn, kenpo, in Hawaii. In the first round, Wynn sent Jackson through the ropes. At the end of the round, Jackson connected with a left hook that knocked Wynn out.

Howard Jackson loses by tko in the 4th, against Benny Urquidez, in the lightweights, in Las Vegas, on 04.23.1977. Short video : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=sTDYP1qPJ1M.

Howard Jackson beats also Ricci Wynn, Miguel Saunders, Sam Montgomery, Ray McCallum, Jerry Galarza, Tabata and Toshio Arima. He becomes the no 1 challenger, for the WKA and the PKA.

In 1979, Howard Jackson beats on points Richard Jackson.

In 1980, Howard Jackson wins the WKA World Champion title, in the welterweights, beating the Japanese Yoshimitsu Tamashiro, on points, in Las Vegas.

Kick-Boxing :

In 1981, he beats Miyaso Chiba and becomes WKA Kick-Boxing World Champion, in the light middleweights.

He also fights against Toshio Tabata, Arima and Ozaki, without further specification.

Howard Jackson (left), during a match kick-boxing

On 04.21.1984, Jackson meets the Dutch Andre Brilleman and loses his WKA full-contact title on points in 12 rounds. At this time, Jackson is unbeaten since 4 years. Http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7269965542845058107.

Jackson is sent to the canvas in the 1st round, after a hook from his opponent, and in the 2nd, after a low-kick.

Andre Brilleman, practicing kick-boxing in the Mejiro Gym, is part of the drugs market and is assassinated in 1985.

Howard Jackson as a record with 23 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, and 12 ko, according to the Ok's Full Contact Report 1984.

Boxing :

Howard Jackson also practices boxing, with a record of 15 wins (8 kos), 12 losses and 3 draws, from 1977 to 1982, according to boxrec.

One of his opponents, Pete Ranzany, is well known. Jackson loses against him by ko in the 8th. Ranzany disputes and loses, meanwhile, fights against the future or former World Champions, Pipino Cuevas, Sugar Ray Leonard, Wilfred Benitez and Milton McCrory.

Howard Jackson boxer (left)

Howard Jackson disputes the title of Nevada Champion, in the welterweights, in 1979. He beats Jimmy Jackson, on points, after 12 rounds, before losing the title on points, also after 12 rounds.

Once, he was ranked No. 6 in the WBA rankings, for the welterweights.

Conclusions :

With his very fast execution, Howard Jackson could beat opponents larger and heavier than him. Many excerpts from his fighting are available at : http://www.howardjackson.net/

He was announced as having won major titles (except World Champion Title), both in karate, semi-contact, full-contact and kick-boxing.

1974: Berlin. European professional karate debuts and not the full-contact.

2008-04-05T22:19:00.001-07:00

Introduction :

On May 17th 1974, at the Deutschlandhalle 8, in West Berlin, a Karate all styles European tournament is organized, with 200 participants. In the press, it is advertised as "The First European Professional Karate Championships" and is open to all black belts, whatever their style.

This tournament is organized by Georg Brückner, head of the Karate Institut in Berlin. The advertising state that a seminar also take place on May 18th 1974, with the American fighters. Mike Anderson, head of the newspaper "Professional Karate", was in charge of the production of the event and hired the US fighters. The two aforementioned worked together in Germany during the 1960's, practicing Taekwondo, among others.

Poster of the championships

On the poster, the match-maker announces the all-styles karate European Championships, only open to black belts, with four weight categories. A team tournament is also mentioned, between the United States and Europe. No details are given about the rules of the fights and the protections used. The term "professional" is not used.

Special message :

If you have any information about this tournament, please send them to me (articles, photos, results). Thank you.

During the evening, several demonstrations were presented by Byong Yu, Hidy Ochiai and Al Dacascos, who will also be on the agenda of the September 14, 1974, in Los Angeles. The same goes for Jim Harrison and Takayuki Mikami, as referees, and the widow of Bruce Lee, as a special guest.

The tournament between Europeans :

Our sources are the "Professional Karate Magazine" issues of summer 1974 and winter 1975, the "Black Belt" dec 1974, and this version WAKO story. [1].

The fights occurred in 4 categories. The combatants have no protections and the fights take place with contact, but no KO authorized. The winners win $ 400 of the time and are invited to Los Angeles. 7,000 spectators are present.

Bernd Grothe, right, vs Wolfgang Holtkemper

The finals results of this first European tournament, sometimes also called the European Championships are as follows :

Lightweights : Frank Knittel/Germany beats ?
Middleweights : Bernd Grothe/Germany beats Wolfgang Holtkemper/Germany
Light heavyweights : Budimir Vejnovic/Germany or Yugoslavia beats Harald Schrader/Germany
Heavyweights : Frank Brodar/Germany or Yugoslavia beats Ivan Oliviari/Netherlands.

We know that Bernd Grothe, 23 years old, is policeman in Berlin. Budimir Vejnovic owns a casino. He will be stabbed a few weeks thereafter, but may participate to the World Championships in Los Angeles. Brodar Frank is 25 years old, measuring 5'11 'and weighs 195 lbs.

Fights against the selection of USA :

Bill Wallace against Bernd Grothe.

Some European fighters are opposed on the same day to a selection of Americans, fights on points. American fighters wear Jhoon Rhee protections, while the Europeans are not so equipped. On iconography, it is easy to recognize pictures of the fights, the Americans are with Gi dressed, in the colours of the USA, while the Europeans are in white.

Howard Jackson vs Frank Knittel
And not Howard Johnson in Los Angeles - as mentioned.

The results are as follows :

Lightweights : Howard Jackson beats by Frank Knittel 4 / 0
Middleweights : Bill Wallace beats Bernd Grothe, 5 / 0.
Light heavyweights : Jeff Smith def Harald Schrader, 5 / 0
Heavyweights : Joe Lewis def Budimir Vejnovic, 5/0Par 5 / 0
Heavyweights : Jim Butin beats Ivan Oliviari, the replacement of European heavyweight champion , Franc Brodar, wounded in a hand.

USA vs. Netherlands :

According to the newspapers cited above, the US team also travels to the Netherlands, at a meeting organised by Jan Stoker, of Den Hague. The fights take place without protections. Bill Wallace is back in the USA and Al Dacascos fights at his place.

The USA beat first a Taekwondo Dutch team, 25 / 0. According to the excellent book written by Willem Brunekreef, "The Golden Kyokushin and K-1 Encyclopedia, these fights were held in Rotterdam. The Americans were invited by the organizer Jan Willem Stoker. The Dutch team was with Jan Koster, Cees Janse, Ivan Olivari, Erwin Gijsbertha and Louis Fortes.

The Americans also beat a Dutch Kyokushinkai team, composed of fighters with a lower rank than the black belt. It was from the school of Peter Stolp. It was suggested to the Dutchmen to let fight black belts of their school, but Peter or Ronald Kredijt, Kyokushinkai team leader, reportedly replied that the Americans were no fighters and that the black belts were too strong for them. Brunekreef mentions that was vs the Koykushikai team that the US team won 25-1.

After various verbal exchanges, Peter Kredijt accepts a challenge from Jeff Smith

Kredijt is sent three times to the canvas, and is KO.

Thank you very much to Mike Anderson, for the information he has provided to us.

Where are they now ?

Apart from the fights disputed in Los Angeles, we did not find any trace of the European fighters.

Jim Butin is not selected for the World Championships. On his site, it is mentioned that he won the bronze medal at the first World Championship of Taekwondo in Seoul/Korea, in 1973. This assertion is not confirmed on the site of the World Taekwondo Federation, which cites Joe Hayes and Mike Warren as medallists for the USA. However, the team from the USA, in which Jim Butin is part, won the silver medal.

Jim Butin meets, and sometimes beats, the most famous fighters of the era, like Chuck Norris, Bill Wallace and Joe Lewis. In 1975, he loses to Jeff Smith, by tko in the 5th round, for the PKA title of the light heavyweights.

Georg Brückner, sometimes called George F. Brueckner, set up a full-contact tournament in Berlin in September 1975, with the PKA World Championship between Ramiro Guzman and Gordon Franks. This event is the subject of a separate article.

Georg Brückner, referee during a unidentified battle.

He also organizes the so-called first European Championships in Gelsenkirchen in May 1976, which select the European fighters for the US selection. These tests are the subject of an article in this blog. This "European Championship" was not recognised by any federation.

The WAKO is founded in 1977 and organized the first full-contact and light-contact European and World Championships, under the aegis of this federation.

Conclusions :

The winners of the 1974 tournament are among the European fighters selected to meet the USA team at the first full-contact World Championships, which are the subject of a separate article in this blog.

It should be noted that these fighters are Germans or Yugoslavs, all listed on the school's website for Brückner, as having been students of the latter [2], except Brodar. These fighters (Frank Knittel, Bernd Grothe and Budemir Veymovic "Yejnovic, Vejnovic?") are not listed on the excellent website of the German Karate [3], as having been Germany champions.

We found no video of this first European tournament. He was reportedly filmed by a television from Europe and the American Armed Forces Network.

[1] Wako Story at this address : http://www.tungeheuer.de/index.php?id=21

[2] Institut Brückner : http://www.selbstverteidigung-sl.de/kikboxsen.htm

[3] Karate in Germany : http://www.chronik-karate.de/index.php?y=1974

Ross Scott, the man who shot Joe Lewis

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Introduction :

Ross Scott was originally from Anderson/Indiana and was born in 1952?. He is 6'2'' tall, which is more than 190 cm. We have no information about his debuts. His trainer was Glenn Keeney.

Traditional Karate :

1974 : Ross Scott meet Darrell Lassiter, during the Midwest Suburban, at Chicago.

1974 : Ross Scott beats Johnny Lee, Eddy Everett and Wayne Washington for the USKA Grand Nationals. Scott is only brown belt at this time and wins the heavyweight title. For the Grand Champion, he loses against Parker Shelton.

1974 : Ross Scott wins the US Karate Team Championships, with the Komokai team from Indiana.

Against Wayne Washington (on the ground).

Also in traditional Karate, Pat Hardy beats Ross Scott in 1975?.

1975: Ohio State Professional Karate Championships. Ross Scott beats K.A. Jones and wins USD 1,000 .--.

Against Larry Davenport (right) 1978

Full-Contact :

July 1975 : Ross Scott def Louis Arnold, by TKO, at St. Louis Nationals.

1986 : Ross Scott loses against Johnny Linebarger, for the USKA Championships. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd1u2L4O4UY

The surprise vs Joe Lewis :

On August 24th 1975 : Atlantic City/New Jersey. Joe Lewis loses against Ross Scott, in a non-title match. Ross Scott has previously disputed only one match in full-contact and can be considered as a journeyman. Joe Lewis, 3 weeks before, has lost on points in a 3 rounds non-title fight, against Ted Limoz, boxer from Hawaii.

Against Ross Scott, Lewis injuries his right shoulder, possibly in the 3rd round, following a missed blow. The match was stopped for about 5 minutes, before returning. Ross Scott gives numerous kick in the head of Lewis, who blocks a large number of them.

Against Joe Lewis (left)

It is often said that Joe Lewis was penalized for lack of kicking thrown, in violation of the rule "six kicks per round rule." Both the "Professional Karate" Nov.-Dec. 1975 and "Black Belt" of Dec 1975 contradict this version.

Joe Lewis loses on points in 7 rounds, 17-12. Scott wins 3 rounds and Lewis 2, the others being considered draw.

Both fighters are wounded in the face.

Some newspaper of the time mention that Joe Lewis got married on the day before the match and that his father died recently. The victory of Ross Scott is a real surprise, Joe Lewis is the precursor of full-contact and seems invincible.

A short video of the fight : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=RjRxhtFrbQA

Others fights :

00.00.1976 : Ross Scott beats Johnny Lee by ko in the 3rd round. Lee has never disputed a full-contact before. The PKA title is vacant, because Joe Lewis was dismissed following his two defeats above mentioned. Johnny Lee replaced at the last moment Ernie "Radar" Smith. Johnny Lee has won the heavyweights title during the 1973 Top Ten, but had lost against Howard Jackson, for the Grand Champion.

1976 : Ross Scott beats one opponent (Merisicum of El Paso ?), in 20 seconds, in Dallas.

1976 : Ross Scott beats Travis Lee Everitt in only two rounds, in Houston.

01.10.1976: World Series of Martial Arts Championships in Hawaii. We are not sure of the following. Ross Scott beats Victor Rapoza by ko ? during a first fight, at this date. According to the March 1980 Black-Belt issue, they made a draw. The same evening, Dana Goodson (or Goodsen) def Ross Scott, by ko ? The fight, according to other sources, would have taken place in 1981 ?

00.02.1977 : Ross Scott def Pat "Hawk" Hardy, by ko in the 1st round. Ross Scott goes to the canvas, at the beginning of the match.

00.03.1977 : Battle of Atlanta : Ross Scott def Jerry Rhome. Ross falls twice in the 3rd round, from punches to the head. In the 7th round, Ross Scott strikes Rhome, which remains defenceless. Short video : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=PGhKPdPf6ws.

00.04.1977 : Ross Scott def Everett Eddy, by ko in the first round, for the PKA title, in Las Vegas. Short video : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=HsvqDs30-L4. Scott is announced as unbeaten before this fight, with 13 wins.

00.00.1978: Cleveland. Jacquet Bazemore beats Scott Ross, in a non-title match. In the Official Karate November 1980 issue, the fight is cited as a one-round non-title fight in a split decision, two years ago ?

15.06.1980: Ross Scott beats Jacquet Bazemore. The fight is stopped in the 3rd round, for the PKA title. Bazemore went 5 times to the canvas before the stop of the fight. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJm_js7ZiH4

00.08.1980 : Ross Scott loses against Demetrius "Oaktree" Edward, by ko in the 7th round, for the PKA title. Edward has also fought in boxing, competing from 1979 to 1986, (21 fights, 5 victories in the early stages of their careers, 14 defeats and 2 draws).

00.00.1981 : Ross Scott should have lost a rematch vs Demetrius "Oaktree" Edward, according to Karate Kickboxing Magazine, Septembre 1981 issue.

1983 : John Jackson beats Ross Scott by ko, for the PKA US Nationals.

Ross Scott withdrew in 1988.

Against Joe Lewis (left)

Record :

Full-contact
1st version : 30 fights and 3 victories for the world title. A second version, mentioned in the newspaper Kick Illustrated in July 1981, gave a record of 17 wins and 3 losses.

Style :

Taking advantage of his superior size and weight, Ross Scott gives numerous heavy kicks, half-height and proceeds with non academic punches. The fights take place on closed rings .

To see videos of his fights: http://www.pka-kickboxing.com/pka-kickboxing-history.html

Currently, Ross Scott is announced as the 5th dan black belt. He teaches karate in the USA.

Dominique "The King" Valera

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Introduction :

Dominique Valera was born on June 18th 1947 in Lyon, France. He is 178 cm tall and is weighs is 82 kg. He begins with the judo, and after the traditional Karate. He becomes on several occasions France Champion, between 1966 and 1975. He also wins 4 titles of European Champion and 4 other titles of European Teams Champion .

In 1968, Valera is second at the European Championships, loosing vs Guy Sauvin, and he is first in 1969, beating Gilbert Gruss.

In 1970, in Hamburg/Germany, Valera loses against Richard Scherer, from the German team and the French team loses also against Germany.

In the individuals, Valera beats Censterdine/England, Veen/Netherlands and Higgins/England. In finals, he beats the French Gilbert Gruss.

1970 European Championships pictures

Valera reaches the 3rd place at the first World Karate Championships, in 1970, in Tokyo.Valera beats first Stanley Knighton/England and Sims/New-Zeland. In the quarter-finals, Valera beats Jorga/Yougoslavia. In semi-finals, Valera loses against the Japanese Wada.

Valera, rights, vs Knighton, Tokyo 1970.

It is sometimes mentioned that the French Team wins bronze medal, in 1970, in Tokyo. The American newspapers of the time, as Black Belt in March 1971, suggested that the team USA B finished 4th, after having beaten France. The first three teams are Japanese. To avoid controversy, we join the page of the newspaper No. 11 of 1970, from the German federation, showing the matches between teams and mentioning the elimination of France in the quarter-finals, http://www.%20chronik-karate.de/material/1970_11_DJB-Magazin.pdf

Down left, a reference to the elimination of the French Team by the USA.

To be complete, the excellent French site http://senseiruns.free.fr/index.php?page=pionniers presents this image, showing the French team as bronze medalist in 1970 ?

Who was bronze medalist in 1970 ?

It's sometimes mentioned that Dominique Valera wins the Internationals Challenges (or World Cups) in Cannes/France in May 1969 and in New-York in August 1969. It is also stated that it was Karate fights tournaments, with KO on the body authorized.

We have found information about the tournament in New-York, the ICMA Convention and Commemorative Karate Championships in 1969. Valera beats first the Japanese Toyotaro Miyazaki and after beats Hawk Frazier, in a contested bout. Official Karate Magazine tell he had lost the fight and had a bad attitude after the fight. It is not written that contact was allowed during the fights.

Dominique Valera (with the belt) and Hawk Frazier, to his right, N.Y. 1969

In 1972, during the European Championships in Brussels/Belgium, the weight classes appear for the first time. In +80 kg, Valera def Otremba/Germany, Sturzebecher/Germany and Kallenbach/Netherlands, in the finals. The French team beats England.

Valera also wins the World Teams Champion title in 1972, in Paris.

In 1975, Valera makes his return during the European Championships and beats Willy Vos/Germany. In the finals, French team beats Switzerland.

In the heavyweights during the individuals, Fitkin/England beats Valera for his first fight. Valera loses against Codrington/England, who wins the finals. Valera finishes at the 3rd place.

In all categories, Valera def Günter Mohr/Germany, but loses in the semi-finals against the French Abdiranan, who will win the finals. Valera finishes at the 3rd place.

Long-Beach 1975 :

In 1975, he is disqualified for bad behaviour at the World Championships in Long-Beach/California. After being disqualified for excessive contact against his opponent, P. Antonio Rivera, Dominican Republic, Valera hits some referees. This little riot can be seen here : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=wCEvTQeqNn4 and http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=5ijFbF5SYpI.

Rivera wins the third place at this World Championships. Dominique Valera is excluded of the WUKO.

Antonio Rivera left.

The French team, World Champion titleholder, has already been eliminated in the first round, the day before, against Australia. Dominique Valera has also lost his fight.

Full-Contact :

Dominique Valera visits a full-contact tournament in Berlin, in 1975, during the World Championship between Gordon Franks and Ramiro Guzman. He has an opportunity to make sparring with Bill Wallace. Dominated in this new form of fighting, the Frenchman goes to Memphis/USA, to train with the above cited. The French fighter is largely accompanied in his trip by the French newspaper Karate, which is transforming this journey into a real history.

Back in Europe, Dominica Valera gets various victories facing opponents, also beginners on the matter.

Regarding the difficulties for the implantation of Full-Contact in France, it appears that in 1976, the Directorate of the Sports, from the Ministry of Sports and Youth (MJS), has banned the teaching of Full-Contact. In 1978, the Full-Contact turns into American Boxing, with the creation of a National Committee of American Boxing (CNBA). In 1981, the MJS places CNBA under the authority of the French-Boxing Federation. In 1981, the French Federation of American Boxing is created. In 1982, the National Federation of American Boxing is introduced. The acceptance by the MJS of these federations will come later.

Dec 1976 Karate issue.
The handcuffs symbolize the ban on the Full-Contact

In 1976, during the match between a team from the USA to a European selection, he participated with the American team, and beats the German Kunibert Back by ko in the first round. Some articles of the time claim that the final blow reached the German after the command of the referee to break. The images are on You Tube: http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y3rWkAYegc

Valera (left) against Kunibert Back

In 1978, he meets Jeff Smith in Paris for the PKA light heavyweights World Title and loses on points, in 9 rounds. The fighters are wearing boxing gloves, and no more full-contact gloves.

Ippon newspaper. Jeff Smith beats Dominique Valera

In 1979, in Madrid, Valera beats Angelo Jacquot, by ko et Ret., before the end of the fight scheduled for 7 rounds.

Pictures of the fight between Valera and Jacquot

In 1980, Valera is opposed to Dan Maracuso, for the PKA light heavyweights World Title and loses by ko, in the 6th round.

Against Dan Maracuso (left)

The question of recognition of the European title is set. In the Valera case, it was the WAKO Pro title. Indeed, the status between professionals and amateurs seems not clear at this time. For example, his opponent in 1976, Kunibert Back, fights in many amateur European Championships after his professional match against Valera.

We can find traces of Valera's opponents, only as winners, with the exception of the Norwegian Skog. Smith and Maracuso, World champions, have well-established records. Flavio Galessi has won numerous amateur WAKO championships. Fighters who lost against Dominique Valera seem to have left no trace in sport history. The exception is Kunibert Back, and his record mentioned in the article Full-Contact Development in Europe.

Conclusions :

The Valera nickname at the time was "The King" or "The Big Cat". His full-contact coach was Jacky Gerbet.

In traditional Karate, Dominica Valera is known for his sweeps, a legacy of his years of judo.

Currently, Dominique Valera has various schools and organizes Karate clinics, both traditional (aka Karate-Contact) and full-contact and is announced as a 8th Dan.

Many videos demonstrations against Bill Wallace or Rouffus are available on You Tube.

Record :

Traditional Karate
France Champion
1966/1969/1970/1972/1973 and 1975 (open) and in the heavyweights 72/73/75

European Champion
1968 2nd against Guy Sauvin/France
1969 1st against Gilbert Gruss/France
1970 1st against Gilbert Gruss/France
1971 1st
1972 1st against Kallenbach/France

European Team Champion
1968 1st against of Belgium
1969 1st against the United Kingdom
1970 2nd against Germany
1972 1st against England
1975 1st against Switzerland

1970 World Championships
Third place in the Open, behind Wada/Japan, Carnio/Canada and tied with Tullener/USA.

1972 World Championships
First place with his team, against Italy

Full-Contact :

Dominique Valera says he fought 5 times in the USA, before his return to France.
6. 05.10.1976: beats Basnight by ko in the 2nd round, in Paris
7. 05.25.1976: def K. Back by ko in the 1st round in Paris
8. 10.10.1976: def V. Safranic by ko in the 1st round, in Vienna/Austria, European Championship
9. 12.08.1976: def V. Safranic by ko in the 3rd round in Zagreb/YU, European Championship
10. 06.04.1977: def Angelo Jacquot, retirement in the 3, Paris, European Championship
11. 06.00.1977: lost to Skog, from Norway, by ko, Marseille, European Championship
12. 00.00.1978: def Angelo Jacquot, ko 5, European Championship in Geneva/Switzerland
13. 12.02.1977: win over Mike Lambert, by ko in 3, Lyon
14. 05.22.1978: lost on points in 9 rounds against Jeff Smith, Light heavyweights World Championship, Paris
15. 02.28.1979: def Angelo Jacquot by ko or ret, in Madrid, for the European Championship.
16. 03.22.1980: lost by ko in the 3rd round against Dan Maracuso, Light heavyweights World Championship, Brussels/Belgium
17. 11.00.1980: lost to Flavio Galessi, on cut, European Championships
18. 00.00.1982: beats Angelo Jacquot, by ko in the 3rd round, the last battle of Valera.

According to the official site of Dominique Valera, Karate Contact :

18 professional full-contact fights (14 wins, 4 losses), including four victorious European Championships (1976 and 1977) and two World Championships attempts (1978 and 1980).

Total (karate and full-contact mixed) :

701 fights, 674 wins, 17 defeats and 10 draws.

According to the newspaper 1982 Karate Magazine, above mentioned, Dominique Valera announced that his 4th fight against Jacquod would be the 700th. As he won, a traditional karate fight ? is missing to reach 701, because we already have the 18 full-contact fights ?

Full-Contact development in Europe

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Main dates of full-contact in Europe.
September 21st 1975.

At the Deutschlandarena, in Berlin, a tournament is organized by Bruckner and Mike Anderson, the latter was in charge of the production of the event.

300 fighters arrive from all Europe and fight with protections, in light-contact, according to the newspaper "Karate Illustrated" from March 1976. We know two results, according to Mike Anderson. Thank you to him for the information.

Who knows this fighters, from the 1975 Berlin Tournament ?

Rainer Budich, Germany and Budimir Vejnovich, a man from Serbia living in Germany, won in their respective weights categories. It's possible that Jan Kunst et Ron Kuyt, from Netherlands, also win ? In his book "Ontleende Kracht", Tom Harinck mentions this victory, with mention about this semi-contact karate style. Ron Kuyt (Chakuriki) fights in Gelsenkirchen in 1976 (third place) and during the first WAKO European World Championships in 1978 (1st place), and also in the first Kick-Boxing European Championships in Amsterdam (1st place). In 1980, Jan Kunst fights Andre Brilleman in kick-boxing, and loses before the limit ?

Vejnovich has already won the first professional karate tournament, in 1974, in Berlin in light heavyweights, and fought Joe Lewis thereafter. In Los Angeles, also in 1974, during the first World Championships, he lost against Jeff Smith, still in light heavyweights.

Dominica Valera came to study this new form of fighting. He said that it was no more Karate. Bill Wallace, is holding a session of sparring with Valera. After 10 minutes, the French acknowledged that he had no chance against the American.

The Feb 1976 German Karate newspaper, translation of the French newspaper, does not mention this fight between Valera and Wallace. The newspaper mentions only that Bill Wallace did an exhibition against two of the winners of the amateur categories and gives no results of the tournament.

Special message :

If you have any kind of information about this tournament, please send me photos, results, articles. Thank you in advance.

During the evening, takes place a fight in 8 rounds, between Ramiro Guzman/Mexico and Gordon Franks/USA, for the PKA lightweights World Championships.

Guzman (left) against Franks.

Ramiro Guzman (born in 1954) practiced first Taekwondo, while living in America. In Houston/Texas, he won the first place in kata, during the 1971 Kim Soo Us Taekwondo Karate Championships. The same year, Ramiro Guzman is at the First Annual Black Belt Grand Championships. Guzman, 16 years old, loses against Joe Hayes on points 2-0. He went to the first World Championships in Korea, in 1973, where he won the bronze medal, with Isaias Duenas, in the teams Championships. Always in the Taekwondo World Championships, in 1975, he won the silver medal in bantamweights. In 1974, he is registered as a student at the Mexico University.

Gordon Franks, (born in 1955) only 18 years old, took part in the US Championships team, in 1973, in which he made a draw against James Buttin, 50 pounds heavier. Franks battled for the Washington/DC team.

In 1973, Franks loses against David Richer at the Tae Kyun Championships lightweight black belt Finals.

In 1974, at the Top Ten Nationals, Gordon Franks beats Cecil Peoples, Mike Warren and Howard Jackson.

In Berlin, Gordon Franks beats Ramiro Guzman on points, in 9 rounds. He is the first black American to win a title. The battle was contested on a platform, without ropes. The images are available on You Tube: http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=XIcwANJ6Sh8.

Where are they now ?

Thereafter, Gordon Franks defends his title against Tony Lopez, USA, in 12 rounds in Atlanta, on 11.30.1978. Previously, Gordon Franks has only disputed a 3 and a 5 rounds non-title bouts. He loses a fight against Paul Vizzio and wins on points in 7 rounds a non-title fight against Tommy Williams, in 1979. He wins a fight on points against Larry Sanders, in 1980, after a visit to the canvas. In august 1980, Gordon Franks loses his title against Cliff Thomas, by tko in the 3rd round. Video at this address : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=B3s3RTp2qVs. His record could be 18-1.

Ramiro Guzman defends his title in 1976 against Kwan Suk, by ko in the 7th round. In 1979, he wins the bronze medal in the flyweights, in the Taekwondo World Championships.

May 2nd 1976.

Source for this paragraph is the official newspaper of French Karate June 1976.

At Gelsenkirchen, Germany, a full-contact tournament is organized, without a ring. 60 to 70 participants are divided into 7 weight categories. The fights took place in 2 rounds of 3 minutes.

In the category 63-69 kg, Paschy Roger, a former member of the French traditional Karate team, wins his weight category. He beats first the Dutch Kick-Boxing fighter Jhon de Ruyter, by ko. In the final, he beats Kemal Zeriat, instructor in Germany. The latter had beaten the French Gros at the same tournament.

In the heavyweights, the German Kunibert Back wins his class when he was only 18 years old and has only a brown belt. The German favourite, Thomas Born, was beaten before the final.

The winners earn the right to go to Paris to meet the team in the United States.

It should be noted that the winner of light heavyweights, Leicester, born in the USA, will be replaced by Koschnick/Germany, for Paris. Similarly, the winner of the super-fly, Arthur Amos, will be replaced by Lair/Germany (Korea).

Some have called this tournament the first full-contact European Championships, but the site of the WAKO does not list it.

During the evening, Dominique Valera performs a exhibition against the French Guy Mialot .

Two fights in Geselkirchen
Cosantino (up and right)

Results :
-57 kg :
1. Arthur Amos , 2. Lair (Lan Ung Kim ?), 3. Ihrig
- 63 kg :
1. Joseph Cosantino, 2. Tuhirima, 3. Anslinger
- 69 kg :
1. Roger Paschy, 2. Kemal Zeriat, 3. Kuyj (Ron Kuyt), 3. Zucarelli
- 75 kg :
1. Dieter Herdel, 2. Grossmann, 3. Reinertsen
- 82.5 kg :
1. Leicester, 2. Koschnick (Koschick, Koschik ?), 3. Sabljic
- 90.5 kg :
1. Kunibert Back, 2. Perless, 3. V.D. Velden
+ 91 kg :
1. Castelain, 2. Krug

May 25th 1976.

Source for this paragraph is the official newspaper of French Karate July 1976.

Palais des Sports in Paris. The French singer Johnny Hallyday promotes this fights and appears on television. The composition of the teams is surprising. The USA's team is composed of 2 Mexicans (Ramiro Guzman and Isaias Duenas), 3 Americans (Gordon Franks, Jeff Smith and Bill Wallace) and a Frenchman, (Dominica Valera).

The European team is composed of people from Germany, Lan Ung Kim , practicing Taekwondo, Giuseppe Cosantino, Arno Koschnick, Jörg Schmidt, Dieter Herdel and Kunibert Back. Only Jörg Schmidt is mentioned as a fighter of the Bruckner Institute. Roger Paschy, who won his selection, waived two days before the fight. He should have met Duenas.

Fights :

Fighters are wearing gloves and foot protections, and a protective helmet. For the headgear, it was decided shortly before the games. Dominica Valera and Kunibert Back refuse to fight with the helmet. The battles take place in 3 rounds, on a platform, without ropes.

Ramiro Guzman beats on points Lan Ung Kim, sometimes referred as Lair. The latter clings throughout the fight. Guzman makes him fall to the ground with many O-Soto-Gari, coming more from judo than from full-contact.

Guzman against Kim

Gordon Franks beats Giuseppe Cosantino, on points. Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3HiemyMxsY

Jörg Schmidt fights against Isaias Duenas, and leads until the 3rd round. The German has his nose broken and the match is stopped. Victory for Duenas. Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP2pkpseSvo

Bill Wallace beats by ko Dieter Herdel, in less than 20 seconds, with a side kick. Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d4iCH3b0Us

Jeff Smith beats on points Arno Koschnik, who felt to the ground 6 times.

Jeff Smith vs. Koschnick

Valera, who trains since 7 months in the USA, beats Kunibert Back by KO in the first round. According to some versions, he hits the German when the referee ordered a break : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y3rWkAYegc.

According to the newspapers of this time, the audience would have been a little frustrated by the show, too much uneven.

Where are they now ?

Kunibert Back becomes ITF Taekwondo European Champion, in 1977 or 1978 and is the second in the WAKO European full-contact Championships, in 1977. The same year, Jörg Schmidt is the third in his category. In 1978, during the Championships between Bill Wallace and Daryl Tyler, Kunibert Back is intended to fight the Italian Full-Contact Champion, Colantuoni Sandro. We don't know the result of this fight.

Dieter Herdel beats Hans Von der Meer, Netherlands, during the 1978 World Championship between Bill Wallace and Daryl Tyler, in Monaco. Dieter Herdel is second in the WAKO European Championships in 1978, second in the World Championships in 1979 and second in the European Championships in 1980.

Lan Ung Kim is now 8th dan in Taekwondo and teaches in Germany.

Formation :

Sources for this paragraph is the French Newspaper Karate, August 1976.

Before the fights, many courses were led by the American fighters. Participants were mostly Europeans.

The physical condition necessary for the practice of Full-Contact has been highlighted by Jeff Smith. Bill Wallace has explained his "Superfoot" and Joe Lewis the "secrets" of his success.

Conclusions :

Germany has played a central role in the development of full-contact in Europe. German fighters won several medals at the first official WAKO European Championships.

In Europe, it was not until 1978 that the center of gravity moves in France, with Dominique Valera, cited in another article.

The Europeans, who meet the USA, both in 1974 and 1976, were most journeymen as serious contenders.

Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, simply gifted

2008-04-03T08:45:00.000-07:00

Introduction :

For once, this article is suffering more of overabundance of data than of a lack of sources. Despite this, it's always very difficult to analyse information and transform them into certainties. In addition, many fights of Benny Urquidez have been the subject of controversy. Some of them will be mentioned in this article, with a reference to an interview of "The Jet", who describes his version of the events.

Benny "The Jet" Urquidez was born June 20, 1952 in Los Angeles / USA. He was the second of a family of 9 children. His mother Lupe was a wrestler, known as Crazy-Linda, and his father Arnold was a boxer. Benny started boxing at age of 5 and martial arts with 8. He received his black belt in Karate with 14.

Karate :

1967-1972 :

One article in october 1967 Black-Belt issue mentioned the second place of Benny Urquidez (then aged 15) at the All-Star Championships in Los Angeles, in 1967. He was then a white belt and lost to Russell Koontz.

In 1970, during the 7th Annual Internationals in Long Beach, organized by Ed Parker, Benny Urquidez is second of the lightweights, behind Byong Yu.

In 1972, Benny Urquidez fights in the Santa Monica Kempo Open and loses against Brian Strian.

En 1972, Benny Urquidez beats Fred Alegria and Moomijan for the lightweight title ,at the Las Vegas Grand Title. During the tournament for the Grand Champion, Benny Urquidez lost against John Natividad, due to a left ridge hand. Benny Urquidez had already met Natividad before, and each time the score had been close.

Urquidez beats Datu Lowell Manabe, of the Hawaii team.

1973 :

This section is based on the December 1973 Black Belt issue. In August 1973, during the Internationals Karate Championships in Long Beach, organized by Ed Parker, he fights against John Natividad. He received the same premium as the winner, USD 2'500 .--. This battle is considered the best fight ever in points karate. John Natividad, a native of Hawaii, practices Tang Soo Do and is a student of Chuck Norris. Natividad had already won numerous tournaments before this victory.

Benny Urquidez beats Kraig Smith by 3-0 and wins the lightweights title. John Natividad def Choo Choo Mayes for the light-heavyweights title. For the Grand Champion title, Natividad beats Ralph Algegria by 2-0 and Benny Urquidez defeats Bob Burbidge, by 3-2. In the finals, John Natividad wins the first round against Benny Urquidez by 3-2. In the second round, John Natividad received a penalty for a reverse punch, with face contact. Urquidez leads by 6-4 at the end of the 2nd round. In the 3rd round, a spinning back kick ? from Benny Urquidez struck Natividad squarely in the jaw. Urquidez is penalized. At the end of the 3rd round, the fighters are at 12-12. During the overtime, Natividad gives a reverse punch and win the match by 13-12.

Benny Urquidez (black jacket) vs John Natividad, Internationals, Long Beach, 1973.

In 1973, Benny Urquidez wins Mountains Karate Championships.

1974 :

During the 1974 edition of the Mountains Karate Championships, he beats Buch Batie for the Grand Champion and wins twice USD 500 .--.

In 1974, during the Ed Parker's Internationals d'Ed Parker, Benny finished in the third place, in the lightweights division.

That same year, during the Western Pro/Am Karate Championships in Oakland/CA, Benny Urquidez beats Cornin, before losing against Kurban. At this time, the newspapers call him Benny "The Spitfire".

In 1974, he participates with Ed Parker, in a journey in England and Belgium. A movie was filmed during this trip, with the name "The New Gladiators". A battle is shown between Urquidez and Roy Kurban. Below are the various excerpts: http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=9mA16yBHcws and http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=85NtSLSt6LM&feature=related

In may 1974, during the PAWAK tournament, Benny Urquidez lost to Joe Lewis, 4-1.

Tommy Lee's World Series of Martial Arts Championships :

It is a special article about the WSMAC in this blog.

In ca 1974, Bobby Chacon trained in boxing with Bobby Chacon (super-featherweights World champion) and Randy Shields (welter Nord American champion)

November 15th, 1974, Benny Urquidez is involved in the World Series of Martial Arts Championships, in Hawaii, organized by Tommy Lee, a surfer from Asia. This tournament has no weight divisions and full-contact is authorized. The tournament takes place over 2 days. It was a ring. This open championship, organized by Tommy Lee, brings together 58 participants, from many sort of martial arts. Elbow and knee blows are allowed. Fighters wear protections. Urquidez beats Bill Rosehill by ko in the third round, Futi Semanu by ko in the second, Tom Mossman in the second and Burnis White by ko in the second round.

In finals, Urquidez beats Goodson in 3 rounds, on points and not by ko in the 4th, as sometimes mentioned, videos http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=yblJ9VqHW8w. Thanks to Shawn for his WSMAC videos.

The winner receives $ 5,000 .--. It is sometimes mentioned he had retained his title 3 times after his tournament.

Benny Urquidez (left) vs Dana Goodson

Dana Goodson is a practitioner of Kempo Karate. After this tournament, he also fights in boxing (4 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat from 1978 to 1983), in thai-boxing, as well as in full-contact. He beats Scott Ross, in a non-title fight, before losing against Maurice Smith, during a title fight.

1975 :

May 16th, 1975, in Los Angeles, at the second edition of the WSMAC, Urquidez beats Roland Talton, BKF, by ko in the 2nd, and Bill Henderson (Kung-Fu), also by ko in the 2nd .

June 21st, 1975, in Hawaii, during the third edition of Tommy Lee's WSMAC, in 1975, Benny Urquidez beats Sanun Plypoolsup, for injury in the 2nd round. For the finals of the lightweights, Benny Urquidez beats Burnis White by tko in the 2nd. White has injured his foot.

In October 1975, again for WSMAC, Benny Urquidez beats Bill Henderson by ko in the 2nd, in Los Angeles. We are not sure of this fight.

In his book "King of the Ring", published in 1995, by Pro Action Publishing, Benny Urquidez mentions having beaten Sanun Plypoolsup in Hawaii in May 1975 and Ken Riley in June 1975, also in Hawaii. The fights and the dates of WSMAC are not identical to those mentioned in the Oriental Fighting Arts of November 1975.

Full-Contact and Kick-Boxing :

On May 10th, 1975, in New York, Aaron Banks organizes 4 championships of the world, crowned by the WPKO. The winners are Joe Hess/NY in the heavyweights, Fred Miller/NY in the light heavyweights, Kasim Dubar/NY in the middleweights and Benny Urquidez/Los Angeles in the lightweights. This show was sold to ABC Wide World of Sport, creating a conflict with the PKA. The latter has also sold its first product at this channel. Urquidez beats Tayari Casel. The latter practice Kung-Fu. It was his first fight in full-contact. Casel spend part of the fight on the ground, from which he tries to strike Urquidez. In this blog, a special article is about this tournament.

Thereafter, Urquidez beats Marcelino Torres by ko in the 1st round, during a match between the USA and Puerto-Rico.

The PKA recognized for a certain period Urquidez as one of its champions, before being dismiss for having participated in various other battles, without authorization.

Benny fought for the NKL National Karate League of Chuck Norris, winning the title of the lightweights, before NKL became later the WKA. In NKL, Benny Urquidez won many battles scheduled for 3 or 5 rounds.

On the May 28th 1975, he beats Eddie Andujar, on points in Los Angeles.

In his book "King of the Ring", Benny Urquidez mentions a NKL fight which took place in December 1975, in Detroit. Urquidez won by ko in the 2nd round. He said he was first disqualified for having put his opponent ko with 4 fist punches. The rules stated a kick for every 3 punches. The match was aired on ABC Sports Reports. The decision was changed later by the NKL, to a victory for Benny Urquidez. The name of his opponent is not mentioned.

1976 :

In June 1976, he beats a second time Sanun Plypollsup, in Dallas, by decision in the 8th round, always for the WSMAC.

Special message :

If you have any information (results, photos, etc.) about Tommy Lee's World Series of Martial Arts, in 1974, 1975 and 1976, thank you very much for sending me this data.

1977 :

Howard Hanson creates WKA and confronts the Japanese kick-boxing champions to Americans full-contact fighters. Benny Urquidez fights for WKA since 1977, after the PKA had removed his title. The WKA allows shots in the legs, unlike the PKA.

Urquidez does not hesitate to meet experienced fighters from kick-boxing or thai-boxing, unlike the other full-contact precursors.

Controversy :

Many fights of Benny Urquidez are the subject of controversy, about their results.

In 1977, he meets Narongnoi Kiatbandit, practising Thai-Boxing. This WKA fight, in Los Angeles, is recorded as a No-Contest in 9 rounds. According to some sources, Kiatbandit has won the fight, while Benny Urquidez claims to have won this match. In his book, he said that the officials had fear of a riot in the Arena (Benny was ahead on points), and gave a No-Contest Decision. John Corcoran confirmed the riot in the Arena, in his book "The Original Martial Arts Encyclopedia" but doesn't mention a decision to avoid the riot.

The fight can be found under these links : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF6CcHEXWlM, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojfJJXAy1CM, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OwhhB3PVWo We can see that both fighters are counted after a trip to the canvas and that the knee blows were banned, given the warnings received by Kiatbandit. Unfortunately, the decision of the judges is not filmed, even if we notice that objects are thrown on the canvas from the attendance.

According to the newspaper August 1977 Karate Illustrated, the knees were banned, but the judges evidently did not take off points from (name used in this newspaper) Narong Noi's total score, until the 7th round. At this point, Noi send Urquidez to the canvas with a knee and the referee threatened to disqualify the Thai. Noi's handlers thought Benny was given too much time and started to pull Noi from the ring in protest.

The referee was Joey Orbillo, former boxer and former coach of Joe Lewis. Before the last round, Urquidez leads with 113-110 and the fight ends with 125-125, after the Urquidez knock down in the final seconds. As the riot began in the arena between various communities, the result is announced as "no decision".

Viewing the film, we see that during the 7th round, the referee, after the knee received by Urquidez, stopped the fight 20 seconds before Narongnoi threated to leave the ring.

Also in timing the film, we see that during the 9th round, the kick that sended Urquidez to the canvas arrived after 1 minutes and 30 seconds. The time used to sent the Thai in the neutral corner and to count Urquidez lasted 17 seconds and must not be counted. The round and the match was then announced as finished. In summary, the round lasted only 1 minutes and 30 seconds, instead of the 2 minutes scheduled round.

In the semi-main event, the Thai Nate (Nade) Saknarong beats Earnst Hart Jr., by ko in the 5th round. Saknarong has been sent to the canvas three times in the 1st round. and each fighter also scored a knock-down in the 4th. This first fight has maybe put the pressure on the attendance before the event between Urquidez and Kiatbandit.

According to Samattapol Uttamayotin, from Thailand, Mr. Sawang Sawangkawat, manager of the above two Thais fighters, reportedly wrote an article in a 1977 weekly newspaper called Boxing. M. Sawangkawat has detailed both fights. His details correspond completely with the version given by the August 1977 Black-Belt Magazine and to the chronometric counting above mentionned. Mr. Sawangkawat reports that fighters must wear foot protections and that the Americans had added legs protections (hidden by their trousers. The Thais wore shorts). The elbow and knee blows were banned, as throwns).

Thanks to Samttapol Uttamayotin for all relevant information regarding these two fights.

1978 :

In 1978, a last controversy, at the end of the first fight with Onuki. Urquidez send his opponent on the ground, with a hip movement and the Japanese seem unable to recover, maybe because a injured shoulder. This first match will be terminated first by a victory of Onuki (see this illegal movement), changed later with an NC. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeVkYvvAcD0. In his biography, Urquidez mentions a victory in the 2nd round.

In 1978, Benny Urquidez meets Prayout Sittiboonlert, also practising Thai-Boxing. This WKA fight, in Japan, was an exhibition on 5 rounds, according to Benny Urquidez, without weigh-in. The decision was first given to Sittiboonlert. After, the result was changed to a No-Contest in 6 rounds. Another version mentions that it was a qualifying match to meet Fujiwara and that Sittiboonlert was declared the winner on points at the end of a real battle, in 6 rounds of 2 minutes. Many knees blows from Sittiboonlert.1 Two Short videos from this fight : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=o_TGpwCLqvc and http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=JcewWVOswpg. In his biography record, Urquidez cites Sittiboonlert as an "unreported thai."

Here are two pictures of an article of the tritten, written in Japanese, which refers to the defeat of Benny Urquidez against Prayout Srisompob (not Sittiboonlert ?) in August 2nd, 1978. It was a fight with 6 rounds of 2 minutes and the Thai often reaches his opponent with knee strikes. Notice the picture showing the raised arm of the Thai. We can't see if the arm of the American is also raised ?

The referee is at the left of Urquidez and he doesn't rise the Thai hand. Please notice that the referee does not hold Urquidez's arm in his other hand. It is therefore not a picture of the decision.

Thank you to Mr Shingo Fukushima, of Japan, for his information.

An Japanese article about the defeat of Urquidez vs Prayout Srisompob ?

1980 :

In 1980, Benny Urquidez meets Billy Jackson, in full-contact, for the WKA. According to the version given by Benny Urquidez in his book, Jackson was a last minute replacement for what was supposed to be non-title bout. The leg kicks have been prohibited, to please Jackson. At the end of the 7 rounds, points would have been deducted to Urquidez for leg kicks. Billy Jackson would have been unfairly declared the winner. According to other sources, Benny Urquidez would have lost on points during a real fight. The decision was changed after to a No-Contest. Urquidez is counted by the referee.1 Short video from this fight : http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=CSlQemKf0t0

We have no evidence to determine us about these three games, with the exception of the fact that the extracts above mentioned seem to be more fights than exhibitions.

1981 :

In 1981, Benny Urquidez takes part to an American team, headed by WKA President, Howard Hanson, during the "Road to Hong-Kong". In this city, Urquidez fights Kong Fu Tak, a local kung-fu champion and beats him before the end of the fight. It's sometimes mentioned that it was a death match. If you see the video, it is more a fight in kick-boxing style, with protections for the hands and feet and is disputed without a ring, with a referee. http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=DGhypNLFr6g Kong Fu Tak will beat Billy Chow in a Thai-Boxing fight.

In his record (see below), Benny Urquidez says he has beaten Nobuya Azuka by decision in 5 rounds, in Japan, in April 1989. The fight was maybe an simple exhibition.

The famous back kick.

Record :

Thank you to M. Fukushima Shingo for his information about the Urquidez record.

This record is based on Urquidez' book "King of the Ring" Pro Action Publishing 1995, for his fights and is corrected by us for the dates, places and the results in relations with controversy. Besides, there are even differences between this record and the record found on Urquidez personal website. For this reason, we can not guarantee the accuracy of the data.

WSMAC, Full-Contact or Kick-Boxing

Lightweights :
11.14.1974 : Bill Rosehill, wko 3, Hawaii, WSMAC
11.14.1974 : Futi Semanu, wko2, Hawaii, WSMAC
11.14.1974 : Tom Mossman, w au 2ème, Hawaii, WSMAC
11.15.1974 : Burnis White, wko2, Hawaii, WSMAC
11.15.1974 : Dana Goodson, wp3, Hawaii, WSMAC
12.00.1974 : Burnis White, wko 4, Hawaii, WSMAC
02.00.1975 : Butch Bell, wtko2, Atlanta/USA, NKL
03.00.1975 : Ken Kolodziej, wko 4 (ou 3), Milwauke
03.00.1975 : unreported, wko 2, Atlanta, NKL
04.00.1975 : Demetrius Havanas, wp3, Dallas, NKL
05.10.1975 : Tayari Casel, wp3, New-York, WPKO
05.16.1975 : Ronald Talton, wko 2, Los Angeles, WSMAC
06.21.1975 : Sanun Plypoolsup, wtko2, Hawaii, WSMAC
06.00.1975 : Ken Riley, wko2, Hawaii, WSMAC
06.28.1975 : Eddie Andujar, wp3, NKL Los Angeles, NKL
07.00.1975 : Sammy Pace, wko1, Los Angeles, NKL
08.00.1975 : Marcelino Torres, wko1, Puerto-Rico, NKL
10.00.1975 : Bill Henderson, wko 2, Los Angeles, WSMAC
12.00.1975 : unreported, wko 2, Détroit, NKL
00.00.1976 : unreported, wko 1, Détroit, NKL
00.00.1976 : Ernest Hart Jr, w 1st, Los Angeles, NKL
06.00.1976 : Sanun Plypollsup, wp8, Dallas, WSMAC
00.00.1976 : unreported thaï, wko 3, Tijuana/Mexico, NKL
08.28.1976 : Ernest Hart jr, wp9, Hawaii, NKL
10.01.1976 : Eddie Andujar, wko 8, Los Angeles, PKA
03.12.1977 : Narongnoi Kiatbandit, nc 9, Los Angeles, WKA (controversy)
04.23.1977 : Howard Jackson, wko 4, Las Vegas, PKA
07.00.1977 : unreported, wko 1, Tijuana/Mexico, WKA
Super lightweights :
08.02.1977 : Katsuyuki Suzuki, wko6, Tokyo, WKA/AJKBA
11.14.1977 : Kunimatsu Okao, wko 4, Tokyo, WKA/AJKBA
04.00.1978 : Dave Paul, wkot4, Vancouver, WKA
04.00.1978 : Takeshi Naito, wko 1, Osaka, KATOGI
05.01.1978 : Shinobu Onuki, nc, Tokyo, WKA/AJKBA (controversy)
08.02.1978 : Prayuth Sittiboonlert, nc 6, Tokyo, KATOGI (controversy)
05.02.1979 : Rick Simmerly, wko 6, Lake Tahoe, WKA
09.01.1979 : Frank Holloway, wp 9, Ensenada/Mexico, WKA
10.00.1979, Yoshimitsu Tamashiro, wp 9, Tokyo, WKA
01.02.1980 : Shinobu Onuki, wko 7, Las Vegas, WKA
04.02.1980 : Frank Holloway, wp 9, Vancouver, WKA
08.00.1980 : Billy Jackson, nc 7, Palm-Beach, WKA ou PKA (controversy)
04.00.1981 : Kong Fu Tak , wko 4, Hong-Kong, WKA
06.00.1982 : Yutaka Koshikawa, wtko6, Vancouver, WKA
01.00.1983 : Kunimasa Nagae, wko4, Tokyo, WKA
09.00.1983 : Iron Fujimoto, wko 6, Tokyo, WKA
Welterweights :
01.00.1984 . Ivan Sprang, wtko 6, Amsterdam, MTN
11.00.1985 : Tom Laroche, wp12, Los Angeles, WKA
04.00.1989 : Nobuya Azuka, wp5, Tokyo, AJPW (controversy)
12.00.1993 : Yoshihisa Tagami, wp, Las Vegas, WKA

In full-contact, or kick-boxing, Benny Urquidez has a record of 57 victories, 0 defeat and 0 draw, with 49 ko and 3 no-contests. He claims to have a record of 63-0, with 49 ko.

Kick Illustrated Magazine of July 1981, mentionned a record of 52 wins, 1 defeat, 1 draw and 42 kos. Official Karate Magazine, in November 1984 and September 1985, refers a record of 56 wins, 1 defeat and 1 draw, with 47 ko.

According to his book "king of the Ring", he has 48 fights, 45 wins and 3 NC.

Technical :

Benny Urquidez demonstrates a complete technical with both fists and feet. His brand remains the reverse kick, sometimes skipped. Here is a perfect example of ko with this technical, executed against Takeshi Naito, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nITZU2sOy1o

He wore often or always, red trousers, facing opponents in shorts, during kick-boxing fights.

Benny Urquidez created the UKIDOKAN Karate. According to some sources, he hold 9 black belts (judo, kenpo/Hawaiian fighting techniques or developed by Ed Parker, taekwondo, Lima Lama/martial art of Hawaii, kung fu, ju-jitsu, aikido and karate). Other sources report that his family has 9 brothers and sisters, all of whom have a black belt.

In 1984, Benny Urquidez has open with his brother-in-law, Blinky Rodriguez, the famous kick-boxing training place named the "Jet-Center".

Family :

Arnold Urquidez :

Among this family, is Arnold Urquidez, born in 1941 and older than Benny, who allegedly trained him and who has worked for the WKA, as indicated in the article in this blog, devoted to this federation. Arnold took part at a tournament in 1968, in Chicago, losing against James Koncevic. In 1968, during a competition between Mainland and Hawaii, Arnold has won two fights against Yosoke Soga and Stanley Sogai, before losing against Homer Leong. Arnold would have lost against Chuck Norris, during a karate fight. He won the 1970 heavyweight title at the Internationals. He managed the team "Urquidez bros", which took part to teams tournament.

Lilly Urquidez Rodriguez :

Lilly Urquidez Rodriguez, one of the sisters of the family, began with Kenpo, then Shotokan and Judo. She also practiced full-contact, (win against Carlotta Lee, in 1977, via TKO, in the 4th lost against Marion Bermudez, win against Reiko Tachibana in 1977, win against Saskia Van Rijswijk in 1982 and defeat against Lucia Rijkers, by tko in the first, in 1983). She would have a record of 32 fights with 2 defeats.

Lilly has done at least one professional boxing fight, in 1979, winning against Ms. Lear Tony Rodriguez on points, according to boxrec. Ms. Urquidez announces 17 wins and 2 defeats. She mentions a defeat against Lady Tiger.

Lilly was married to William Blinky Rodriguez, full-contact fighter. The wife and her husband have disputed a boxing fight, the same evening, on November 16th, 1979.

Blinky Rodriguez :

Blinky has lost, among others, against Bill Wallace and Rob Kaman (ko 2nd), with one win by ko, against Jean-Yves Theriault. In 1977, he has lost a split decision against Macoto Hirato, in Tokyo. On the March 29th, 1980, Blinky loses on points against Bob Ryan, for the WKA Super-Middleweight World Title. Video of the fight : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHhebxVG38Q

His record is 34 victories, 4 defeats.

Rodriguez has also fought 5 professional boxing fights, 3 wins and 2 defeats, according to boxrec. He announced a record of 7 wins, 1 defeat.

In conclusion, he participated at the first World Series of Martial Arts, in 1974, where he won his first fight against Dennis Lyttle, video http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=DvB5xnKF1t0 before losing the second on points, against Dana Goodson, video http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=xTCRxRcBh48.

During these WSMAC, Adam "Smiley" Urquidez, Benny's brother, lost on points against Burnis White. Smiley also lost against Joe Lewis, during the PAWAK tournament, in may 1974. An exhibition at the first WUKO World Championships in 1975, disputed between Adam and Benny, is on You Tube.

In the family are Eva/Alexis, Mando, Linda, Delores, Ruben/Reuben, Alfred and Bruno Urquidez, also practicing martial arts.

Conclusions :

Benny Urquidez fights are available, including on You Tube. He shows the fighting qualities, rare for the time, when faced with other full-contact initiators, who did not appear to completely dominate the fight to ko.

[1] http://images.google.ch/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mikemiles.com/photo%

Jhoon Rhee's Protections

2008-04-02T11:20:00.000-07:00

Introduction.

Jhoon Rhee introduced Taekwondo in the USA, where he came for the first time in 1956, thanks to a program of the Korean army. He returned permanently to America in 1957.

He teaches his art, sometimes under the name of Karate, and executes numerous demonstrations. He opens many schools throughout the country. Around 1964, he founded his own karate tournament, which he renews every year.

According to the February 1973 Black-Belt Magazine, Pat Worley and Byong Yu are the first to use protections for the feet and fists, created by Jhoon Rhee, at the 1972 National All-Star Team Karate Championships. It is reported that most participants did not wear these protections during their match. Each protection weighs 3 ounces.

Pat Worley (left) and Byong Yu are the first to try theses protections in 1972.

In 1973, his protections, sometimes called Safe-T, are used for the first time, during the US Team Championships in Dallas/Texas, which take place with an authorized, but retained contact.

Jeff Smith vs. Demetrias Havanas, 1973 US teams Championships.

According to other sources, they are used for the first time during the Top Ten Nationals, in St. Louis, also in 1973. This competition was called "semi-contact" by a journalist.

These protections are manufactured with foam blown and are much lighter than the boxing gloves, sometimes used by Joe Lewis, in his first fights.

On September 14th 1974, these protections became famous during the first full-contact World Championships. They have been used for many years in this sport. Thereafter, the gloves are slowly replaced by boxing gloves. In fact, if these protections are handy for projections and returned blows, they are very minor and do not protect the hands of the fighters, or their body.

Gloves open on the bottom and very light.

The helmet was lighter than the boxing headgear. It has been used mainly during the evening of 1976, at the Palais des Sports/Paris/France. It should be noted that Dominique Valera, the only French fighter of the meeting, refused to wear it.

Conclusions :

Apparently, even the "Greatest" was interested in these protections.

Right, Jhoon Rhee.

These protections are the trademark of the full-contact, even though they were first used in traditional karate. It is not surprising that a Korean has invented them, because Taekwondo has always been innovator for protections (plastron and helmet), used since the first world championships in 1973.