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Bill Wallace (martial artist)

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Bill Wallace
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]
StyleShōrin-ryū karate
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofDaytona 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
Websitehttps://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]

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

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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

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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

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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

Miscellaneous

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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:

  • The Best of Bill Wallace[24]
  • Competitive Karate: Featuring the Superfoot System[25]
  • The Ultimate Kick [26]
  • Dynamic Kicking & Stretching [27]
  • Karate: Basic Concepts & Skills [28]

DVD format:

  • BOOST Karate for Children[29]
  • Karate: Basic Concepts & Skills [30]

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

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Full-contact karate record
23 wins (12 KOs), 0 losses, 0 draw[31]
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record Notes
June 8, 1980 Win United States Robert Biggs Anderson, Indiana, USA Decision 12 2:00 20–0 Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
May 24, 1980 Win United States Tony Georgiades Denver, Colorado, USA KO 2 19–0
March 1, 1980 Win United States Raymond McCallum Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA Decision 5 2:00 18–0
February 2, 1980 Win United States Steve Mackey West Palm Beach, Florida, USA Decision 5 2:00 17–0
July 18, 1978 Win United States Daryl Tyler Monte Carlo, Monaco TKO 6 16–0 Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
June 5, 1978 Win Canada Ralph Hollett Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Decision 7 2:00 15–0
April 8, 1978 Win United States Glen Mehlmen Miami, Florida, USA Decision 7 2:00 14–0
March 11, 1978 Win United States Emilio Narvaez Providence, Rhode Island, USA Decision 9 2:00 13–0 Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
November 28, 1977 Win United States Burnis White Honolulu, Hawaii, USA Decision 9 2:00 12–0 Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
October 8, 1977 Win United States Pat Worley Indianapolis, Indiana, USA KO 2 11–0 Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
September 10, 1977 Win United States Herbie Thompson Miami, Florida, USA TKO 2 10–0
May 21, 1977 Win United States Ron Thivierge Providence, Rhode Island, USA TKO 6 9–0 Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
April 23, 1977 Win United States Blinky Rodriguez Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision 9 2:00 8–0 Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
October 1, 1976 Win United States Gary Edens Los Angeles, California, USA Decision 9 2:00 7–0 Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
May 29, 1976 Win Canada Daniel Richer Toronto, Ontario, Canada TKO 3 6–0 Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
April 26, 1976 Win West Germany Dieter Herdel Paris, France KO (hook kick) 1 0:44 5–0
March 13, 1976 Win United States Jem Echollas Las Vegas, Nevada, USA KO 2 4–0 Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
May 3, 1975 Win United States Joe Corley Atlanta, Georgia, USA TKO 9 1:31 3–0 Defends PKA Middleweight World title.
September 14, 1974 Win Canada Daniel Richer Los Angeles, California, USA Decision 3 2:00 2–0 Wins PKA Middleweight World title.
September 14, 1974 Win West Germany Bernd Grothe Los Angeles, California, USA TKO 3 1–0
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1979 A Force of One Sparks
1981 Sword of Heaven Butch
1984 Killpoint Sparring Partner
1985 L.A. Streetfighters Kruger
Manchurian Avenger Kamikaze
The Protector Benny Garucci
1987 Fight to Win Tankson
1988 Silent Assassins Colonel
1989 American Hunter Adam
2016 Enter the Cage
2019 The Last Operative Bill

References

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  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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b Corcoran, John & Farkas, Emil (1983). Martial Arts: Traditions, History, People. Gallery Books. p. 392.
  14. ^ a b Biography for Bill Wallace at IMDb
  15. ^ a b "Bill "Superfoot" Wallace". Fightingmaster.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  16. ^ a b c d [1] 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.
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