Bill Wallace (martial artist)

Last updated

Bill Wallace
Bill Wallace, Karate World Champion 2011.jpg
Wallace in 2011
BornWilliam Louis Wallace
(1945-12-01) December 1, 1945 (age 79)
Portland, Indiana, U.S.
Other namesSuperfoot, Fast Billy, Bad Billy
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) [1]
Weight165 lb (75 kg; 11.8 st) [2]
Style Shōrin-ryū karate
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Daytona Beach, Florida
Teacher(s)Michael Gneck
TrainerJim "Ronin" Harrison
Rank  10th dan black belt Sōke (Shōrin-ryū)
Years active1974–1990
Kickboxing record
Total23
Wins23
By knockout13
Losses0
By knockout0
Draws0
Website https://superfootsystem.com

William Louis Wallace (born December 1, 1945), nicknamed "Superfoot", is an American martial artist, former professional kickboxer, and actor. Considered one of the first American superstars of kickboxing, [3] [4] he was the Professional Karate Association (PKA) World Full-Contact Champion, and the Middleweight Kickboxing Champion for six years, retiring with an undefeated 23-0-0 record. [5] [6] He was elected to Black Belt magazine's Hall of Fame in 1973 as "Tournament Karate Fighter of the Year" and again in 1978 as "Man of the Year". He is currently the International Ambassador for PKA Worldwide. [7]

Contents

Wallace holds a 10th dan black belt and the title of sōke (grandmaster) in Shōrin-ryū karate. He has also studied wrestling and judo. [8] He is the founder of The Superfoot System, which incorporates a stretching methodology with Wallace's kicking style and fighting approach. [9] [10] As an actor, his films include A Force of One (1979) with Chuck Norris, Killpoint (1984) with Cameron Mitchell, Ninja Turf (1985) with Phillip Rhee, and The Protector (1985) with Jackie Chan. Wallace also served as a commentator at some of the early Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) tournaments. [11]

Background

Wallace was born in Portland, Indiana. He is of Scottish ancestry, and trained in wrestling during his high school years. [12] He began his study of Judo in 1966 and was forced to discontinue his Judo related activities because of an injury he suffered to his right knee during practice. [12] He then began to study Shōrin-ryū Karate under Michael Gneck [13] in February 1967 while serving in the U.S. Air Force. After entering the point fighting tournament scene and achieving success there, he switched to full-contact competition.

With the coaching help of veteran fighter Jim 'Ronin' Harrison, Wallace won 23 consecutive professional fights between 1974 and 1980, [14] becoming the Professional Karate Association middleweight world full-contact karate champion and retiring undefeated. [13] [15] He was known for his fast left leg kicks, [16] especially his roundhouse kick and his hook kick, which was clocked at about 60 mph. [15] He focused on his left leg because of the Judo-related injury to his right knee, using the right leg primarily as a base. He also was kicked in the groin during a point fighting tournament and suffered the loss of one testicle. [17]

A year later, Wallace turned professional and captured the PKA middleweight karate championship with a second-round knockout. He relinquished the crown in 1980, undefeated. The PKA promoted the sport of full-contact karate. Full-contact karate differed from kickboxing in that leg kicks were allowed in kickboxing and forbidden in full-contact karate. It was PKA President, Don Quine, who coined the phrase "Superfoot" to describe Wallace after witnessing his fight first with Mark Georgantas and then with Jem Echollas. [18]

In 1990 Bill Wallace (166 lbs) fought one last exhibition kickboxing/karate match with friend Joe Lewis (198 lbs) on pay per view. Both Wallace and Lewis were refused a boxing license because of their age. The exhibition ended with one judge in favor of Wallace and the other two judges scored the bout a tie; ending the exhibition in a draw. [19]

Education

Wallace studied at Ball State University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1971 in physical education. [16] In 1976, he earned a master's degree in kinesiology from Memphis State University. [16]

Accomplishments

Wallace has taught karate, judo, wrestling, and weightlifting at Memphis State University. The author of a college textbook about karate and kinesiology, he continues to teach seminars across the United States and abroad. [16] He has acted, most notably in A Force of One starring Chuck Norris. [20] Wallace was the play-by-play commentator for the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship pay-per-view event UFC 1 in 1993 alongside fellow kickboxer Kathy Long and NFL Hall of Fame player Jim Brown in which he burped as he said, "Hello, I'm Bill Wallace, and welcome to McNichols Arena" in what has become a much beloved blooper from that event. [14] Wallace administers an organization of karate schools under his "Superfoot" system. He was elected to Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame in 1973 as "Tournament Karate Fighter of the Year" and again in 1978 as "Man of the Year." [21] His film credits include A Force of One with Chuck Norris; Killpoint , with Cameron Mitchell; Continental Divide and Neighbors , with John Belushi; The Protector , with Jackie Chan; Los Bravos with Hector Echavarria; A Prayer for the Dying , with Mickey Rourke; Ninja Turf ; and Sword of Heaven. [22]

Bill Wallace Spars Greg Beaver in 1977 Bill "Superfoot" Wallace Spars Greg Beaver.png
Bill Wallace Spars Greg Beaver in 1977

Miscellaneous

Bill Wallace was a personal trainer and close friend of both Elvis Presley and John Belushi. On March 5, 1982, Bill Wallace found John Belushi dead of a cocaine and heroin overdose, in his room in Bungalow 3, at the Chateau Marmont, on Sunset Boulevard, in Hollywood, California. [23]

Wallace has written and co-written a number of books, including:

DVD format:

Bill Wallace also starred in the 1985 James Glickenhaus action film "The Protector" alongside Jackie Chan and Danny Aiello. Wallace played a tough ex karate champ bodyguard (for a criminal boss), who has an extended fight scene with cop Jackie Chan in a Hong Kong warehouse.

Kickboxing record

Full-contact karate record
23 wins (12 KOs), 0 losses, 0 draw [31]
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTimeRecordNotes
June 8, 1980Win Flag of the United States.svg Robert Biggs Anderson, Indiana, USA Decision122:0020–0Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
May 24, 1980Win Flag of the United States.svg Tony Georgiades Denver, Colorado, USA KO219–0
March 1, 1980Win Flag of the United States.svg Raymond McCallum Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA Decision52:0018–0
February 2, 1980Win Flag of the United States.svg Steve Mackey West Palm Beach, Florida, USA Decision52:0017–0
July 18, 1978Win Flag of the United States.svg Daryl Tyler Monte Carlo, Monaco TKO616–0Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
June 5, 1978Win Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ralph Hollett Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Decision72:0015–0
April 8, 1978Win Flag of the United States.svg Glen Mehlmen Miami, Florida, USA Decision72:0014–0
March 11, 1978Win Flag of the United States.svg Emilio Narvaez Providence, Rhode Island, USA Decision92:0013–0Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
November 28, 1977Win Flag of the United States.svg Burnis White Honolulu, Hawaii, USA Decision92:0012–0Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
October 8, 1977Win Flag of the United States.svg Pat Worley Indianapolis, Indiana, USA KO211–0Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
September 10, 1977Win Flag of the United States.svg Herbie Thompson Miami, Florida, USA TKO210–0
May 21, 1977Win Flag of the United States.svg Ron Thivierge Providence, Rhode Island, USA TKO69–0Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
April 23, 1977Win Flag of the United States.svg Blinky Rodriguez Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision92:008–0Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
October 1, 1976Win Flag of the United States.svg Gary Edens Los Angeles, California, USA Decision92:007–0Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
May 29, 1976Win Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Daniel Richer Toronto, Ontario, Canada TKO36–0Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
April 26, 1976Win Flag of Germany.svg Dieter Herdel Paris, France KO (hook kick)10:445–0
March 13, 1976Win Flag of the United States.svg Jem Echollas Las Vegas, Nevada, USA KO24–0Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
May 3, 1975Win Flag of the United States.svg Joe Corley Atlanta, Georgia, USA TKO91:313–0Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
September 14, 1974Win Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Daniel Richer Los Angeles, California, USA Decision32:002–0Wins PKA Middleweight World title.
September 14, 1974Win Flag of Germany.svg Bernd Grothe Los Angeles, California, USA TKO31–0
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1979 A Force of One Sparks
1981Sword of HeavenButch
1984 Killpoint Sparring Partner
1985 L.A. Streetfighters Kruger
Manchurian AvengerKamikaze
The Protector Benny Garucci
1987Fight to WinTankson
1988Silent AssassinsColonel
1989American HunterAdam
2016Enter the Cage
2019The Last OperativeBill

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kickboxing</span> Full-contact hybrid martial art and combat sport

Kickboxing is a full-contact hybrid martial art and boxing type based on punching and kicking. Kickboxing originated in the 1950s to 1970s. The fight takes place in a boxing ring, normally with boxing gloves, mouth guards, shorts, and bare feet to favor the use of kicks. Kickboxing is practiced for self-defense, general fitness, or for competition. Some styles of kickboxing include: full contact karate, Muay Thai, Japanese kickboxing, Lethwei, Sanda, and Savate.

Rick John Roufus is a retired American kickboxer. He has also competed professionally in boxing and mixed martial arts. An accomplished professional fighter throughout his competitive career, Roufus has won multiple world championships across the globe in several weight classes. He was world champion as a super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight. Roufus held titles for all the major kickboxing associations worldwide, and is known for his boxing skills and powerful kicks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benny Urquidez</span> American former professional kickboxer and martial artist

Benny Urquidez is an American former professional kickboxer, martial arts choreographer and actor. Nicknamed "The Jet", Urquidez was a non-contact karate competitor who later pioneered full-contact fighting in the United States. He made the transition from point to full-contact karate in 1974, the year of its inception in the US, frequently fighting in bouts where the rules were ambiguous and contrasts in styles were dramatic. Urquidez is also known for once holding the rare achievement of six world titles in five different weight divisions, and remained largely undefeated in his 27-year career. His only loss came in a Muay Thai match which was shrouded in controversy, as Urquidez had only agreed to a no-decision exhibition, a clause which was ignored when the fight had ended.

Kashmir Singh Gill popularly known as Kash "The Flash" Gill, is a retired British professional kickboxer who is a former four-time world champion.

Dennis Alexio is an American former professional kickboxer and actor who competed in the light heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. Beginning his career as a light heavyweight in 1980, Alexio embarked on an extensive, knockout-laden undefeated streak before losing a decision to Don "The Dragon" Wilson in a World Kickboxing Association (WKA) World Super Light Heavyweight Full Contact Championship match in 1984. He rebounded from this by winning the Professional Karate Association (PKA) World Light Heavyweight title that same year before moving up to cruiserweight and taking the International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) World Cruiserweight Full Contact title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Lewis (martial artist)</span> American martial artist and actor (1944–2012)

Joe Lewis was an American martial artist, professional kickboxer and actor. Originally a practitioner of Shōrin-ryū karate and champion in point sparring competitions, he became one of the fathers of full contact karate and kickboxing in the United States, and is credited with popularizing the combat sport in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Wilson (kickboxer)</span> American kickboxer

Donald Glen Wilson, nicknamed "The Dragon", is an American martial artist, former professional kickboxer, and actor. An 11-time world champion who scored 47 knockouts in four decades, he has been called by the STAR System Ratings as "perhaps the greatest kickboxer in American history. He has disposed of more quality competition than anyone we've ever ranked". In 2015, he was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.

Jean-Yves Thériault is a Canadian kickboxer, kickboxing trainer, and author.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Professional Karate Association</span> Martial arts promotion company

The Professional Karate Association (PKA), later Professional Karate & Kickboxing Association, and now effective from March 1, 2022 PKA Worldwide was originally a martial arts sanctioning organization, now transformed into a martial arts promotion company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Norton (actor)</span> Australian martial artist, actor, stuntman (b. 1950)

Richard Norton is an Australian martial artist, actor, stunt performer, stunt coordinator, security consultant, and fight choreographer. He holds a 5th dan black belt in Gōjū-ryū karate, a 6th dan black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, an 8th dan black belt in Chun Kuk Do, and a level 6 ranking in American kickboxing. After high school, Norton worked as a bodyguard in the entertainment business before pursuing an acting career.

Curtis Bush is an American world champion kickboxer who competed in the welterweight, super-welterweight, light-middleweight and middleweight divisions. A tall Southpaw possessing dangerous spinning back kicks and spinning back fists, Bush competed entirely under full contact rules and was a two-time Virginia state champion as an amateur before turning professional in 1983. After knocking out Robert Visitacion to become the North American welterweight champion in 1987, he went on to win five world titles in four weight classes and retired from competition in 1999.

Dale Cook is an American former kickboxer who competed in the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions. With a background in karate and taekwondo, Cook debuted professionally in 1977 and spent the early part of his career as a full contact rules fighter. In the 1980s, he began fighting under Oriental and Muay Thai rules and took two world titles under the WKA banner. A short stint in shoot boxing towards the end of his career in the mid-1990s resulted in another world title in that discipline.

Johnny Morris Davis is an American former kickboxer who competed in the welterweight and middleweight divisions. Nicknamed "Superfoot", Davis held numerous titles including two world championships.

Joe Corley is an American karate and kickboxing competitor, instructor, broadcaster and promoter who helped achieve the success of the Professional Karate Association and the early establishment of professional kickboxing in the United States. Joe Corley is CEO of PKA Worldwide.

Manson Howard Gibson is a retired American kickboxer and a 12-time world champion in kickboxing and Muay Thai. He was known for his vicious use of spinning techniques and wild, unpredictable style, mixing elements of kickboxing, Taekwondo and Northern Praying Mantis martial arts. He was sometimes referred to as the "Thai Killer" or the "Black Bruce Lee". Gibson was one of America's greatest kickboxers, and is credited with over 100 wins and more than 80 KOs, including around 40 via headkick.

Paul Maslak is an American independent movie producer, book author, newsstand magazine editor and kickboxing historian.

Steve Shepherd was a five-time world kickboxing champion and a top pioneer kickboxing promoter in the state of Florida. He defeated eight world champions from five weight divisions, four of them during their championship reigns. He also decisioned future world champions Don Wilson, Ted Pryor, Dale "Apollo" Cook and Bob "Thunder" Thurman.

John Corcoran was an American non-fiction book author, magazine editor, screenwriter and martial arts historian.

Glenn McMorris is a retired kickboxer, a former Professional Karate Association Full-Contact Middleweight United States Champion, a sport karate Hall of Famer, and the only fighter to have knocked out Martial Arts Hall of Famer Don "The Dragon" Wilson.

Shidōkan (士道館) is an eclectic style of knockdown karate, founded by Yoshiji Soeno. Established in 1978, its governing body is the World Karate Association Shidokan, with its headquarters located in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Currently, it has branches in 68 countries.

References

  1. ↑ https://kungfukingdom.com/interview-with-bill-wallace/amp/
  2. ↑ https://kungfukingdom.com/interview-with-bill-wallace/amp/
  3. ↑ "Bill Wallace". www.ikfkickboxing.com. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Top 10 Kickboxers of All Time". MMA Sucka. November 14, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Bill Wallace Exclusive". Martial Arts Encyclopedia. November 30, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Bill Wallace". www.ikfkickboxing.com. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  7. ↑ Bowker, Dylan (August 25, 2022). "Bill Superfoot Wallace on PKA comeback, Elvis friendship, and More" . Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  8. ↑ https://kungfukingdom.com/interview-with-bill-wallace/amp/
  9. ↑ http://www.edyuncza.com/superfoot.html
  10. ↑ https://www.superfootsystem.com/
  11. ↑ https://kungfukingdom.com/interview-with-bill-wallace/amp/
  12. 1 2 Durbin, William. "Bill "Superfoot" Wallace: The Man, The Martial Artist, The Teacher". Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  13. 1 2 Corcoran, John & Farkas, Emil (1983). Martial Arts: Traditions, History, People. Gallery Books. p. 392.
  14. 1 2 Biography for Bill Wallace at IMDb
  15. 1 2 "Bill "Superfoot" Wallace". Fightingmaster.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Archived October 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ↑ "Interview with Bill Wallace". Kung-fu Kingdom. November 27, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  18. ↑ Hayes, David (February 2017). "Bill "Superfoot" Wallace and the Taekwondo Connection". Tae Kwon Do Life Magazine (3): 50. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  19. ↑ Bill Superfoot Wallace vs Joe Lewis, February 8, 2012, archived from the original on December 22, 2021, retrieved February 1, 2020
  20. ↑ A Force of One (1979)
  21. ↑ Black Belt Hall of Fame Awards Archived January 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  22. ↑ "Bill Wallace IMDB Listing". IMDb .
  23. ↑ McFadden, Robert D. (March 6, 1982). "John Belushi, Manic Comic of TV and Films Dies". New York Times. Retrieved September 25, 2007. John Belushi, the manic, rotund comedian whose outrageous antics and spastic impersonations on the Saturday Night Live television show propelled him to stardom in the 1970s, was found dead yesterday in a rented bungalow in Hollywood, where he had launched a film career in recent years. The 33-year-old actor ...
  24. ↑ Wallace, Bill. The Best of Bill Wallace. Black Belt Communications (April 2005) ISBN   0-89750-146-2
  25. ↑ Gibson, Adam, and Wallace, Bill. Competitive Karate: Featuring the Superfoot System Human Kinetics; 1 edition (January 27, 2004) ISBN   0-7360-4492-2
  26. ↑ Wallace, Bill. The Ultimate Kick. Unique Publications (January 1987) ISBN   0-86568-088-4
  27. ↑ Wallace, Bill. Dynamic Kicking & Stretching. Unique Publications (November 1981) ISBN   0-86568-018-3
  28. ↑ Schroeder, Charles Roy and Wallace, Bill. Karate: Basic Concepts and Skills. Addison Wesley Publishing Company (July 1976) ISBN   0-201-06837-0
  29. ↑ Ferguson, Robert and Wallace, Bill. BOOST Karate for Children Black Belt Communications (May 1, 2005) ASIN: B0009T2JN8
  30. ↑ ASIN B000LBZLTI
  31. ↑ "Bill Wallace's record at STAR". Starsystemkickboxing.net. Archived from the original on January 15, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.