Donald Glen Wilson (born September 10, 1954), nicknamed "The Dragon", is an American martial artist, former professional kickboxer, and actor.[1] 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".[2] In 2015, he was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.[3]
Wilson was born to a Japanese mother and American father in Alton, Illinois. He utilized his mother's family name, Hoshino (星野), as a ring name while competing in Japan.
He attended Saint Andrew's School in Boca Raton, where he was an MVP in football and basketball.[6] Wilson also tried his hand at wrestling, in which he excelled enough to score a 4th place in the Florida State Collegiate Wrestling competition.[7]
After high school, Wilson was accepted into the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut in the fall of 1972.[7] Wilson has stated that his brother challenged him to friendly sparring, which he imagined he would dominate since Wilson was more physically imposing and athletic than his brother. To his surprise, he was easily knocked around by his brother's martial arts ability. He credits this experience for making a believer out of him, after which he would pursue martial arts. He began studying Goju-ryu Karate with Chuck Merriman for two hours a week for one year.[8]
In 1973, Wilson left the Academy and earned an associate degree in electrical engineering at Brevard Community College in Florida. He then enrolled at his father's alma mater, the Florida Institute of Technology, but dropped out to pursue a professional fighting career, to the elder Wilson's disappointment. During this time, he trained in Pai Lum White Dragon Kung Fu, a form derivative of Shaolin Kung Fu, taught by Danny K. Pai.[9] Wilson was trained by Fred Schmitz, Pai's first black belt in America.[10]
Don's nickname, "The Dragon" was used in his first professional kickboxing match in Orlando, and came from his training in White Dragon style.[11] He also had two other nicknames that were used at times during his long career.
Kickboxing
Wilson in 1992
Wilson won a total of 11 world titles with several sanctioning bodies, including the IKF, WKA, KICK, ISKA, STAR and the PKO.[12] Wilson's kickboxing record is listed as 72–5–2 (48 knockouts) with 3 no-contests. Wilson's kickboxing career spanned four decades, with his first fight being against Bill Knoblok in 1974 in which Wilson broke his hand.[11] In November of 1975 he lost to Steve Shepherd by decision.[13]
In July of 1977, Wilson defeated Howard Hayden by decision. A report of the match in Official Karate Magazine said, "Don Wilson's showboat tactics have seen him through a couple of fights, but the Flash won't last long when the going gets tough." Wilson said he was insulted and a few people called him Don "The Flash" Wilson after the article. He said that inspired him to prove something: "I got serious."[8][12]
In September of 1979 he defeated Jimmy Horsley by TKO.[14][13] In March of 1980 Wilson was knocked out by Glen McMorris, which was the only time he was knocked out in his 79 fight career.[13] In July 1980 he defeated Rodney Batiste by decision.[15][13] In October of 1980 Wilson beat Andy White by KO in the 2nd round.[16][13]
Wilson was noted for being an American-style kickboxer who challenged the fabled fighters from Thailand. He prevailed in most instances, only suffering one loss.[13] However, the matches were often problematic, due to the differences in traditions, style and judging. In September of 1981 he won against Panya Sornnoi by split decision.[17][13] For his fight against Samart Prasarnmit in December of 1983,[18][13] the officials who arranged the fight broke the previous arrangement, placing Wilson against a lighter opponent and forcing Wilson to lose 8 pounds on the day of the bout by sitting in a sauna from early morning until two hours before the bout, leaving him dangerously dehydrated.[11] Wilson had also negotiated for a 7-round fight, which the officials also neglected to honor.[13] Furthermore, the Thai judges only recognized Muay Thai techniques such as Thai kick or those performed within the clinch, which meant that Wilson's only hope to win was to knockout Samart, which he was unable to do because of his dehydration.[13] Wilson, a fighter used to 12 round fights, was exhausted in the 2nd round, a clear indication of the seriousness of his condition. In September 1984 Wilson fought Thai fighter Fanta Petchmuangtrat and won by decision.[19][13]
In July of 1988 he defeated previously unbeaten Carl Englund by KO in the 5th round.[28] In March of 1989 he fought Ferdinand Mack. Mack was winning on the cards by the 8th round, but Wilson won by TKO in the 9th.[29][13] In April of 1989 Wilson defeated Ken Stranburg by decision[30][13] and defeated Keith Wilson by TKO.[31][13] In November 1989 Wilson lost by split decision to the unbeaten Marek Piotrowski.[32][13] In December of 1991 he defeated Ghalib Carmichael by decision.[33][13]
Wilson won his IKF (www.IKFKickboxing.com) FCR Cruiserweight World Title on May 15, 1999, in Lowell, Massachusetts, when he defeated Dick Kimber. (Lynn, Massachusetts, USA PRO: 23-3/21, AM: 25-0/25 5'9" 197lbs) At the end of the third round Wilson came alive and eventually knocked Kimber to the floor motionless. Referee Dan Stell counted Kimber out on the floor, a count that went into the round break. Kimber never stood during the count.[34][13]
Having never been challenged for his title, Wilson voluntarily retired it to move down to the Light Heavyweight Division, where he eventually retired from fighting a few years later. In 2000 he defeated Dewey Cooper in a 10 round decision.[35][13] His last fight was a 10th-round knockout victory over Eddie Butcher on July 19, 2002, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.[36]
Wilson was scheduled to make a comeback at 58 years old, against an unnamed opponent in a ten-rounder in Istanbul, Turkey in 2013.[37] However, at the last minute the fight in Istanbul was cancelled due to "breach of contract and non-performance of financial agreements".
Wilson also fought several exhibition fights such as those against Bill "Superfoot" Wallace in 1979 and 1984,[13]Gary Daniels in 1991,[38][13] Jim "Jimbo" Mullen in 1998,[39][13] and Ian Jacklin.[40] In June of 2017 Wilson, at 63 years old, had a rematch against Ferdinand Mack in an exhibition bout 28 years after they originally fought.[41]
Kickboxing losses turned into no contests
Early in Wilson's career, he lost three fights by decision; these losses were changed into no contests by the Professional Karate Association.[13]
Wilson's first career match was against Bill Knoblock and he lost a third decision. This match was later turned into a no contest by the Professional Karate Association as they listed it as an "amateur" match. "This amateur bout was part of Wilson's black belt examination."[13] However, in a 2013 interview, Wilson recalled his first fight as a loss to Bill Knoblock on January 25, 1975, as a professional match in which he was paid $100.[42]
On May 28, 1976, in Tampa, Florida, Wilson lost a 5-round decision to Rudy Burney in a PKA sanctioned match.[13] However, the PKA later overturned the decision for, "improper procedures that impeded fair competition."
Finally, in September 1976, Wilson lost a 5-round points decision to Herb Thompson in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The PKA overturned the decision, citing improper procedures and inappropriate equipment which impeded fair competition.[13]
According to Inside Kung-Fu Presents Kickboxing Magazine (August 1992), Wilson's professional kickboxing record was listed as 69 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws, 46 knockout wins, and 6 kick-knockouts, and 3 no-contests. On page 64, Wilson's first match with Bill Knoblok in Orlando, Florida in December 1974 is listed as a 3-round no-contest. However, on page 52 in the same issue, Wilson said about his fight with Knoblok, "But Bill won the third round by a larger margin than I had won the first. So he won the bout." Today the official result of this fight was listed as a no-contest on Wilson's official fight record because when he decided to fight for PKA, Joe Corley felt the rules of the bout were quite different from those of PKA, Corley told Wilson to omit it.
Fighting style
Wilson was fairly notable thanks to his unique fighting style as used in the ring. He was ambidextrous, being able to switch stance on a whim and attack powerfully with either side,[43] although he preferred to fight strong-side forward, which is a characteristic of some Chinese Martial arts like Pai Lum Tao Ng Ying Kungfu (Chinese: 五形功夫). Wilson is known for often using a bladed stance, a low lead hand and a high rear hand, typical of crab style fighters, at all ranges.[43]
He identified himself as mainly a kicker, claiming that was his forte and the reason why he never seriously considered boxing.[42] He has a particularly devastating lead side kick, and was known to perform single-leg multiple kicks in rapid succession. Despite his focus on kicks, most of his KO's came through his punching, and he was particularly good with his lead (right) hook punch.[43]
Professional boxing
Wilson had a brief professional boxing career. Wilson said in a 2015 interview that he had a 6–3–0 professional boxing record with all three defeats by first round stoppage.[42] He said he started professional boxing as a training tool to improve his punching, but his trainer forced him to change his style, from the patient fighter he was in kickboxing, to trying to score first round knockouts. This lead to only an average boxing career.[42]
His biggest victory was against Muhammad Ali's former sparring partner John L. Johnson.[44] Wilson's last boxing match took place against Tim Jones on October 21, 1986, at the Reseda Country Club in California. Wilson had a 6–2–0 record in professional boxing going into this match, while Jones was winless in 6 bouts. Wilson lost by TKO at 2:58 of the first round. Dennis Alexio, who lost a kickboxing match to Wilson, had already defeated Jones. Jones lost 4 of his next 5 boxing matches, and retired with a 2–10–1 record.[45]
Wilson also had an exhibition boxing match against USBA and NABA light-middleweight champion Jose Alfredo "Shibata" Flores.[46][47]
Commentating
Wilson was a fight commentator and interviewer in many of the early UFC events, beginning with UFC 7 in Buffalo.[48] He stated several times that he would be willing to fight in the UFC himself if enough fans requested it, but it never happened.[49] He went on to be a commentator for King of the Cage.
Fight was for vacant F.F.K.A. & P.K.C. full-contact light-heavyweight world titles. Although his I.S.K.A. full-contact cruiserweight world title was not on the line, Wilson would have to vacate it due to the defeat.
Wins inaugural W.K.A. full-contact super light-heavyweight world title −184lbs and also receives recognition as S.T.A.R. undisputed full-contact super light-heavyweight world champion −184lbs. Before taking the fight Wilson voluntarily vacated his W.K.A. full-contact cruiserweight world title in January, 1984. He would later also vacate his W.K.A. super light-heavyweight world title he won against Alexio in October that same year.
Wins vacant W.K.A. cruiserweight world title −190lbs. Also receives recognition as S.T.A.R. undisputed full-contact cruiserweight world champion −184lbs.
Wins inaugural W.K.A. full-contact light-heavyweight world title −175lbs. Also receives recognition as S.T.A.R. undisputed full-contact light-heavyweight world champion −175lbs.
Wins eliminator for shot at vacant P.K.A. and S.T.A.R. full-contact middleweight world titles against Jean-Yves Thériault. This fight would never materialise, however, due to a number of contractual & promotional issues.
In 2014, he was honored with the U.F. of Legends Dragon Award at the Urban Action Showcase & Expo at HBO.[55]
Inducted into the World Kickboxing League Hall of Fame (2011).[11]
Inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2001).[11]
Recognized by STAR as the "Top-Rated Kickboxer of All Time" for his career spanning 1977 to 1989.[11]
World Record:
Holds the 2002 Guinness World Record for winning the "Most Kickboxing World Titles."[11]
Annual Accolades: Wilson was a dominant force throughout the 1980s,consistently earning top honors from major publications.
Fighter of the Year:
Awarded this title by Official Karate magazine in 1984, 1985, and 1988.[11]
Also named "Mr. Kickboxing" by the WKA on NBC-TV's Sports World in 1984.[11]
Fight of the Year:
His bouts were deemed classics, with his matches against Maurice Smith (1984), Jean-Yves Theriault (1985), and Branimir Cikatić (1988) all winning Official Karate magazine's "Fight of the Year."[11]
Additional Recognition:
Named one of the "Top Kickboxers of the Year" in 1986.[11] Honored as "Fighter of the Year" by American Karate magazine in 1988.[11]
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