Joe Lewis (martial artist)

Joe Lewis (March 7, 1944 – August 31, 2012) 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.

Joseph Henry Lewis was born on March 7, 1944, in Knightdale, North Carolina.

As a fighter, Lewis gained fame for his matches in the 1960s and 1970s, and was nicknamed "the Muhammad Ali of karate."

He has twice been voted the greatest fighter in karate history, having won several karate tournaments, and has attained the titles of "United States Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion," "World Heavyweight Full Contact Karate Champion," and "United States National Black Belt Kata Champion."

Though initially trained and primarily known as a karateka, Lewis cross-trained in several other martial arts, including Ryukyu Kenpo, boxing, judo, jeet kune do, tai chi, and folkstyle wrestling.

His friend and training partner Bruce Lee coined him "The Greatest Karate Fighter of All Time."

He was also named by the STAR System World Kickboxing Ratings as the "STAR Historic Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion" and is credited on their site as the "Father of Modern Kickboxing".

In 1962, Lewis enlisted in the US Marine Corps.

He was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock, North Carolina from July 20, 1962, to April 12, 1964.

He studied Shōrin-ryū Karate with Eizo Shimabukuro, John Korab, Chinsaku Kinjo, and Seiyu Oyata while stationed in Okinawa between May 21, 1964, and November 29, 1965, earning his black belt in seven months.

He was one of the first Marines stationed in Vietnam; there, he met Rocky Graziano.

From February 7 to July 14, 1966, he was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, during which he was released from active duty.

Upon returning to the US, he began a winning tournament career.

In 1966, with only 22 months of training, Lewis won the grand championship of the first tournament he entered, the U.S. Nationals, promoted by Jhoon Rhee.

Lewis defeated seven opponents before defeating Thomas Carroll by a 2–0 decision.

Lewis reigned as the U.S. Nationals grand champion from 1966 to 1969.

In 1966, at the Long Beach Internationals, Lewis lost an upset decision to Allen Steen.

From 1967 to 1968, he studied privately with the influential Wing-Chun kung fu teacher, Jeet Kune Do founder, and Chinese/Hollywood martial artist and actor Bruce Lee.

Hong Kong cinema historian Bey Logan says Lewis was the original pick of Bruce Lee to play Colt in Way of the Dragon, but as a result of either Lee and Lewis having a falling out or Lewis having a scheduling conflict, Chuck Norris was chosen instead.

At the 1967 Nationals in Washington, Lewis won the championship by defeating Mitchell Bobrow in the semi-final and beating Frank Hargrove 3–2 in the finals.

Previously, Lewis defeated Hargrove in New York City at 'Henry Cho's Karate Tournament'.

During that time, he also defeated Chuck Norris.

In 1967, Lewis defeated Chuck Norris's brother Wieland Norris, Steve LaBounty, and Frank Knoll, as well as Frank Hargrove for the third time.

At the 1968 'Orient vs. U.S. Tournament', promoted by Aaron Banks, Lewis lost to Japanese-American N. Tanaka.

At the 'First Professional Karate Tournament' in Dallas, Texas, Lewis won the championship trophy by decisioning Larry Whitner, Phil Ola, and Skipper Mullins.

In February 1968, Lewis, along with Bob Wall, Skipper Mullins, J. Pat Burleson, David Moon, and Fred Wren, fought in the first World Professional Karate Championships (WPKC) promoted by Jim Harrison.

This was the first "professional" tournament in karate history, and took place in Harrison's dojo in Kansas City.

The rules allowed "heavy contact."

Lewis won the tournament and was paid one dollar, officially making him the first professional champion in karate history.

In August 1968, Lewis was defeated by Victor Moore at the World's Hemisphere Karate Championships, the second professional karate tournament in history, which took place in San Antonio, Texas and was promoted by Robert Trias and Atlee Chittim.

Moore and Lewis split the championship purse of $1,000.

The same year, Lewis defeated Louis Delgado, who had beaten Chuck Norris the year before.

On November 24, 1968, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, Lewis won Aaron Banks' World Professional Karate Championships by defeating Victor Moore to win the World Heavyweight Title, and was paid $600.

In 1970, Lewis lost in an upset to John Natividad at the All-Star Team Championships in Long Beach, California.

At the 'Battle of Atlanta', which was promoted by Joe Corley, Joe Lewis defeated Mitchell Bobrow in a closely contested come-from-behind victory for the Heavyweight Championship, and Joe Hayes for the Grand Championship.

At Ed Parker's 1972 'International Karate Championships', Darnell Garcia scored an upset victory over Lewis.

That same year, at the 1972 Grande Nationals in Memphis Tennessee, Joe Lewis beat Jerry Piddington and won his grande title match in a 1–0 victory.

1974 marked Lewis' final year in tournament karate competition.

He competed professionally from 1965 to 1983, with a 16-1-4 record and 14 wins by knockout.