Sam Greco

Infobox Kickboxer
name=Sam Greco


realname= Salvatore Greco
nickname= Slam 'em
height= height|m=1.88
weight= convert|112|kg|lb st|abbr=on|lk=on
nationality=flagicon|AUS Australian
birth_date=Birth date and age|1967|5|3|mf=y
birth_place=Melbourne, Australia
death_date|=
death_place|=
style= Karate, Kickboxing
team= Team Greco
total=25
wins=12
losses=9
draws=2
no contests=2
KO=7|

Sam "Slam 'em" Greco (born May 3, 1967) is a retired Australian kickboxer and mixed martial artist who fought in Kyokushin karate, professional kickboxing, and K-1 tournaments. He was also the first Australian to sign a deal with the WCW.

Biography & Career

When growing up in Melbourne, Australia Sam's Italian-born father Vittorio encouraged him to get involved with soccer from an early age and Sam became the youngest player ever to sign up with the Australian premier league team Juventus. He played as well for Heidelberg soccer club in Melbourne.

He trained in Kyokushin karate, and started competing in full contact karate tournaments.

Sam had his K-1 debut in 1995 at K-1 Hercules. Following year he appeared in his first K-1 World Grand Prix tournament where he suffered his first loss in semifinals against popular Japanese kickboxer Musashi.

During the next decade he fought against the best fighters in the world. Andy Hug, Jerome Le Banner, Branko Cikatic, Mike Bernardo, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović, Ray Sefo, and Peter Aerts to name a few.

After retiring in 2005 from professional competition, Sam Greco currently works as trainer for other fighters, including Bob Sapp.

He has also appeared occasionally in Hollywood movies as an actor, fight consultant and martial arts advisor.

He had a small part in the 4th episode of the Australian mini series Underbelly, playing nightclub bouncer Bruno Bolotzi. This episode was broadcast in February 2008.

He now owns a restaurant in West Melbourne called Don Cammillo's.

Titles

* 6 time Australia Full Contact Karate Champion
* Commonwealth Karate Champion 1989-1991
* Karate World Cup Champion 1994
* WAKO Pro World Super Heavyweight Champion
* WAKO Pro Muay Thai World Super Heavyweight Champion

K-1 Record

Source: [http://www.k-1sport.de/en/database/show_fighter.php?id=183 K-1 Fighters DB]

Mixed Martial Arts Record

ee also

*List of male kickboxers
*List of K-1 events
*List of kickboxing organizations
*Kickboxing

External links

* [http://www.k-1.co.jp/ K-1 Official website]
*imdb name|0337514

References

http://www.k-1sport.de/en/database/show_fighter.php?id=183