About Joe Lewis
Joe Lewis was an American kickboxer, point karate fighter, and actor who lived from March 7, 1944, until August 31, 2012. His estimated net worth was $3 million. Lewis’ fights in the 1960s and 1970s helped him become well-known as a fighter.
Early Years
The youngest of three kids, Joe Lewis was raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, on a farm. According to rumors, his older siblings were rather boisterous and frequently got into problems. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1962, in part to avoid being associated with his siblings’ reputation. He was stationed in Havelock, North Carolina, at Cherry Point. He eventually served in Vietnam, where he eventually ran into Rocky Marciano.
Beginnings of martial arts
Lewis discovered Shorin-ryu Karate in Okinawa while serving in the Marine Corps at the age of 18. He trained under Eizo Shimabukuro, John Korab, Chinsaku Kinjo, and Seiyu Oyata (Shimabukuro was a student of Miyagi Chojun). In an unheard-of seven months, he attained black belt status. But what was even more incredible was what he accomplished in a competition after only 22 months of preparation. Lewis won the overall title at the Jhoon Rhee-sponsored U.S. Nationals in 1966. Many people refer to Rhee as “the father of American Taekwondo” Lewis defeated seven opponents during the nationals, a point sparring competition, including Thomas Carroll in the final.
More combat sports
Lewis kept winning the U.S. Nationals and held the title of its grand champion from 1966 to 1969. He did, however, compete in a fight at Henry Cho’s Karate Tournament in New York City, where he was defeated by Chuck Norris, a well-known martial artist. Later, Lewis would triumph over Chuck Norris’ brother Weiland Norris.
World Professional Karate Championships’ first edition (WPKC)
The first World Professional Karate Championships (WPKC), sponsored by Jim Harrison, included Lewis and five other highly regarded fighters (Bob Wall, Skipper Mullins, J. Pat Burleson, David Moon, and Fred Wren) in February 1968. The first professional fighting competition in karate history was held in Harrison’s dojo in Kansas City. It was unique in that it permitted vigorous touch. Lewis became the first karate champion in history after winning the competition and receiving $1 as payment for his efforts.
working with Sugar Ray Robinson and Bruce Lee
Lewis worked individually with Bruce Lee, the creator of Jeet Kune Do, from 1967 to 1968. Lewis had the opportunity to test his ideas in actual battle thanks to Lee, a revolutionary in the martial arts, and their friendship (via Lewis). In order to strengthen his advantage at the time, Lewis also collaborated with boxers Joe Orbillio and Sugar Ray Robinson.
Full Contact Kickboxing and Karate
Promoter Lee Faulkner got in touch with Lewis about his impending United States Karate Championships in late 1969. Until someone was knocked out, Lewis was interested in full contact karate fighting, and Faulkner delivered. Lewis won his bout against Greg Baines on January 17, 1970, knocking him out in round two to become the heavyweight champion of the United States Kickboxing Association (USKA). It is believed that this fight marked the beginning of professional kickboxing in North America.
The sport eventually lost its appeal, and activity ceased. Lewis has a perfect 10-0 record with 10 knockouts as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion of the United States.
Full contact karate matches organized by the Professional Karate Association (PKA) were first held in 1974. In the second round, Lewis battled back and defeated Frank Brodar by ridge hand to win their first Heavyweight full contact karate championship.
From there, Lewis finished his career with a record of 5-4-1, a significant decline from the 11-0 start. However, no combatant can maintain the same speed as he did. He battled to a draw with Bill “Superfoot” Wallace in his final bout, which was actually more of an exhibition.
The greatest karate fighter of all time is Joe Lewis.
Joe Lewis was chosen as the greatest karate fighter of all time by “Karate” Magazine in 1976. (a Paris, France publication). They were not the only ones, though. No, “Karate Illustrated” a division of Black Belt Magazine, surveyed all of the best fighters and promoters. Lewis was chosen as the best karate fighter ever by his contemporaries. And he was the sole person on everyone’s ballot, according to an interview at FightingMaster.com.
Death
Lewis received the news that he had a malignant brain tumor in July 2011. He was informed that if he did nothing, he only had 6–8 weeks to live. The tumor was also removed in the same month. His 13-month cancer struggle saw the disease expand to his left shoulder and hip.
Lewis passed away on the morning of August 31, 2012, more than a year after his diagnosis. Joe Lewis was valued $3 million when he passed away in 2012. Lewis had a 68-year-old age.
In Knightdale, Wake County, North Carolina, near the Knightdale Baptist Church, he was laid to rest.
