Don "The Dragon" Wilson
| Don Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Donald Glen Wilson September 10, 1954 Cocoa Beach, Florida, United States[1] |
| Other names | The Dragon |
| Nationality | |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg; 13.9 st) |
| Division | Middleweight Light Heavyweight Cruiserweight |
| Style | Gōjū-ryū Karate, Kickboxing, Pai Lum Tao Kung Fu |
| Fighting out of | Alton, Illinois, United States |
| Team | White Dragon Kickboxing |
| Years active | 1974-1991, 1999-2002, 2013- |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 82 |
| Wins | 72 |
| By knockout | 47 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 3 |
| Website | http://www.donthedragonwilson.com |
Don "The Dragon" Wilson (born September 10, 1954) is an American champion kickboxer and actor. He is most famous for his acting roles in action/adventure films, including eight titles in Roger Corman's Bloodfist series.[2]
Contents |
Biography [edit]
Early life [edit]
Wilson was born to an American father and Japanese mother in Cocoa Beach, Florida,[3] and grew up on Florida's Space Coast. He attended Saint Andrew's School in Boca Raton, FL. He had a long and successful career in the ring. He was perhaps the best known and most successful kickboxer of his era.
He is a teacher of Pai Lum Tao Kung fu[4] also known as White Dragon Kung Fu which is how he obtained his nickname.
Kickboxing career [edit]
Wilson won a total of 11 World Titles with several sanctioning bodies that included the IKF, WKA, KICK, ISKA, STAR and the PKO. He won his IKF (www.IKFKickboxing.com) FCR Cruiserweight World Title on May 15, 1999 in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA, when he defeated Dick Kimber. (Lynn, Massachusetts, USA PRO: 23-3/21, AM: 25-0/25 5'9" 197 lbs) At the end of the 3rd round Wilson came alive and exploded with a flurry that 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.
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.
Hall of Fame 2010 by WKL World Kickboxing League (www.wklkickboxing.com).
According to Inside Kung-Fu Presents Kickboxing Magazine (August 1992), Don Wilson's 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 rule of the bout was quite different from those of PKA, Corley told Wilson to omit it.
Wilson's kickboxing career spanned 4-decades; his first fight with Bill Knoblok in 1974 and his last fight, a 10th round knockout victory over Eddie Butcher on July 19, 2002 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He defeated among others, world champions Branko Cikatic, James Warring, Dennis Alexio, and Maurice Smith. Wilson fought a draw with another champion, Jean-Yves Thériault. In 79 bouts, Wilson was only knocked out by Glen McMorris in 1980. Wilson's kickboxing record is listed as 72-5-2 (48 knockouts) with 3 no-contests.
He will make a comeback at 58 years old, taking on a yet-to-be-named opponent in a ten-rounder in Istanbul, Turkey in September or October 2013.[5]
Commentating career [edit]
Wilson was a fight commentator and interviewer in many of the early UFC events, beginning with UFC 7 in Buffalo. He stated several times that he would be willing to fight in the UFC himself if enough fans requested it, but it never happened. He went on to be a commentator for King of the Cage.
Film appearances [edit]
Some movies to his credit include: Futurekick, Bloodfist 1-8, Ring of Fire 1, 2 & 3, Out for Blood, Operation Cobra, Blackbelt, Cyber Tracker 1 & 2, Sci Fighters, Redemption, Say Anything... Capitol Conspiracy, and Batman Forever as the leader of the Neon Gang.[6]
Personal life [edit]
Married well known film and television makeup artist Kathleen Karridene in 1996. They have three children together; Jonathan, Drayden, and Aubrianna.
Titles [edit]
- 2010 W.K.L World Kickboxing Hall of Fame Champion
- 2008 European Matrial Arts Hall of Fame Member
- 2000 I.S.K.A. full-contact cruiserweight North American champion -88.2 kg
- 1999 I.K.F. Full Contact Cruiserweight World Champion -88.6 kg
- 1989 P.K.O. full-contact light-heavyweight world champion -78 kg
- 1988-89 I.S.K.A. full-contact cruiserweight world champion -82.7 kg (0 title defences - vacated)
- 1984 S.T.A.R. undisputed full-contact light-heavyweight world champion -79 kg
- 1984 W.K.A. full-contact super light-heavyweight world champion -83.2 kg
- 1984 S.T.A.R. undisputed full-contact super light-heavyweight world champion -83.2 kg
- 1983-84 W.K.A. full-contact cruiserweight world champion -86.4 kg (0 title defences - vacated)
- 1983 S.T.A.R. undisputed full-contact cruiserweight world champion -86.4 kg
- 1983-87 K.I.C.K. full-contact light-heavyweight world champion -79 kg (2 title defences)
- 1980-91 W.K.A. full-contact light-heavyweight world champion -79 kg (9 title defences - vacated)
- 1980 S.T.A.R. undisputed full-contact light-heavyweight world champion -79 kg
- 1979-80 P.K.A. full-contact middleweight United States champion -77.3 kg (2 title defences)
- 1978-79 P.K.A. full-contact middleweight Florida State champion -77.3 kg (4 title defences - vacated)
Kickboxing record [edit]
| Kickboxing Record | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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72 wins (48 (T)KOs, 24 Decisions), 5 Losses, 2 Draws,1 No Decision, 3 No Contests[7]
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Exhibition Notes |
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Professional Boxing Career [edit]
Wilson had a brief professional boxing career. His biggest victory was against Muhammad Ali's former sparring partner John L. Johnson.[citation needed]
Wilson's last boxing match took place against Tim Jones on October 21, 1986 at the Reseda Country Club in California. Wilson had a 4-1-0 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. Ironically Dennis Alexio, who lost a kickboxing match to Wilson, had already defeated Jones. Jones went on to lose his next 4 boxing matches, and retired with a 1-10-0 record.[citation needed]
Professional Boxing Record [edit]
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Date | Round | Time | Event | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss[11] | 4-2-0 | KO | Oct 28, 1986 | 1 | Reseda, California | ||||
| Win | 4-1-0 | KO | Jul 25, 1986 | 4 | San Diego, California | ||||
| Loss | 3-1-0 | KO | Mar 17, 1986 | 2 | Ingelwood, California | ||||
| Win | 3-0-0 | TKO | Feb 16, 1983 | 3 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | ||||
| Win | 2-0-0 | PTS | Sep 16, 1982 | 6 | Tampa, Florida | ||||
| Win | 1-0-0 | TKO | 1 | Cocoa Beach, Florida | Mixed Match: Kickboxer vs. Boxer:Johnson throws up and match is halted. |
Filmography [edit]
Film and Television Credits [edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Say Anything... | Sparring Partner | Film |
| Bloodfist | Jake Raye | Film | |
| 1990 | Bloodfist II | Jake Raye | Film |
| 1991 | Ring of Fire | Johnny Woo | Film |
| Future Kick | Walker | Film | |
| 1992 | Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight | Jimmy Boland | Film |
| Blackbelt | Jack Dillon | Film | |
| Out for Blood | John Decker | Film (also producer) | |
| Bloodfist IV: Die Trying | Danny Holt | Film (also producer) | |
| 1993 | Ring of Fire II: Blood and Steel | Johnny Woo | Film (also producer) |
| Magic Kid | Himself | Video | |
| 1994 | Bloodfist V: Human Target | Jim Stanton | Film |
| Red Sun Rising | Thomas Hoshino | Film | |
| CyberTracker | Eric Phillips | Film | |
| 1995 | Bloodfist VI: Ground Zero | Nick Corrigan | Film (also producer) |
| Ring of Fire 3: Lion Strike (aka: Lion Strike) |
Dr. Johnny Wu | Film (also writer—story) | |
| Batman Forever | Gang Leader | Film | |
| Bloodfist VII: Manhunt | Jim Trudell | Film (also producer) | |
| Cyber-Tracker 2 | Eric | Film (also producer) | |
| The Power Within | Himself | Film | |
| Virtual Combat | David Quarry | Film | |
| Top Fighter | Himself | Documentary | |
| 1996 | Bloodfist VIII: Trained to Kill | Rick Cowan/George 'Mac' MacReady | Film |
| Night Hunter | Jack Cutter | Film (also producer) | |
| 1997 | Moesha | Himself | (1996 TV series) Episode: "Break It Down" (1997) |
| Hollywood Safari | Greg | Film | |
| Inferno (aka: Operation Cobra) |
Kyle Conners | Film | |
| Papertrail | FBI Agent Ryu | Film (as Don Wilson) | |
| 1999 | Whatever It Takes | Neil | Film (also producer) |
| Terminal Rush | Jacob Harper | Film (also producer) | |
| The Prophet (film) (aka: The Capitol Conspiracy) |
Jarrid Maddox | Film | |
| 2000 | Moving Target | Ray Brock | Film (also producer) |
| 2001 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Himself | (1993 TV series) Episode: "Legends" (2001) |
| 2002 | Redemption | John Sato Collins | Video (also producer) |
| Modern Warriors | Himself | TV special | |
| Stealing Harvard | Loach's Friend | Film (as Don Wilson) | |
| Mass Destruction | Himself | Documentary | |
| 2003 | How to Be an Action Star | Himself | Video |
| 2004 | Sci-Fighter | Jack Tanaka | Film (also producer) |
| 2006 | Crooked (aka: Soft Target) |
Danny Tyler | Film (also producer) |
| 18 Fingers of Death! | Himself | Video | |
| 2007 | The Last Sentinel | Tallis | Film (as Don Wilson) (also producer) |
| 2009 | Hollywood Lives | Himself | TV series (one episode) |
| 2012 | Liberator | Sidewinder | Film (also producer) |
References [edit]
- ^ http://www.donthedragonwilson.com
- ^ "How the Dragon Gets His Kicks". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ W.A.K.O. profile of Don "The Dragon" Wilson
- ^ Inside Kungfu September 2004
- ^ Don 'The Dragon' Wilson Returning to the Ring
- ^ "KICKBOXER HAS NEW AIM DON WILSON RETIRES FROM RING, FOCUSES ON ACTING". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
- ^ “STAR System Authenticated Kickboxing Record: Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson” (19 July 2002 - complete fight record & stats). http://www.starsystemkickboxing.net/Pages/DonWilson.aspx. Retrieved on 21 July 2011
- ^ “STAR System Authenticated Kickboxing Record: Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson” (19 July 2002). http://www.starsystemkickboxing.net/Pages/DonWilson.aspx. Retrieved on 2 June 2011
- ^ “Career Record”. http://www.donthedragonwilson.com. Retrieved on 2 June 2011
- ^ "Career Highlights: Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson Professional Kickboxing Record". (August 1992). Inside Kung-Fu Presents Kickboxing magazine, p. 64
- ^ http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=24822&cat=boxer
External links [edit]
- Don "The Dragon" Wilson at the Internet Movie Database
- Don "The Dragon" Wilson at AllRovi
- Don "The Dragon" Wilson Official site
- Don "The Dragon" Wilson Wilson's Site On IKF
- Interview with Don "The Dragon Wilson"
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- American kickboxers
- Kickboxers from Florida
- Kickboxers from Illinois
- Middleweight kickboxers
- Cruiserweight kickboxers
- Light heavyweight kickboxers
- American wushu practitioners
- Actors from Florida
- American film actors
- American people of Japanese descent
- 1954 births
- Living people
- Mixed martial arts broadcasters
- Kickboxing commentators
- American sportspeople of Asian descent
- Actors of Japanese descent