Bill Wallace (martial arts)

Bill Wallace (December 1, 1945) is an American martial artist, best known as Bill "Superfoot" Wallace or simply "Superfoot", a notable kickboxer of the 1970s.Fact|date=June 2007

Background

Wallace was born in Portland, Indiana, and began his study of Judo and Shorin-ryu Karate 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 kickboxing. With the coaching help of veteran fighter Jim 'Ronin' Harrison, Wallace won 23 consecutive professional fights between 1974 and 1980,Fact|date=June 2007 becoming the Professional Karate Association middleweight world champion and retiring undefeated.Fact|date=June 2007 He was known for his fast left leg kicks,Fact|date=June 2007 especially his roundhouse kick and his hook kick, which was clocked at about 60 mph.Fact|date=June 2007 He could hit his opponents with two or three kicks in rapid succession, reaching under, over, and around their blocks, and placing kicks with precision.Fact|date=June 2007 He focused on his left leg due to a Judo-related injury to his right knee, he also suffered the loss of one testicle during a point fighting tournament, when his protective cup was struck at an unfortunate angle.

In 1973, Wallace suffered what many considered a career-ending injury. However, one of Wallace's friends, the late Elvis Presley, flew in a Los Angeles acupuncturist to treat him at Graceland Manor. 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.

Education

Wallace studied at Ball State University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1971 in physical education.Fact|date=June 2007 In 1976, he earned a master's degree in Kinesiology from Memphis State University.Fact|date=June 2007

Accomplishments

Wallace has taught Karate, Judo, Wrestling, and weight lifting at Memphis State University and has also authored a college texbook on Karate and Kinesiology. He is the author of three books: "" [ASIN B000LBZLTI] , "Dynamic Kicking & Stretching" [ISBN 0865680183] , and "The Ultimate Kick" [ASIN: B000UST8G4] , and continues to give seminars.Fact|date=June 2007 He has also acted, most notably in "A Force of One" starring Chuck Norris. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079168/ A Force of One (1979) ] ] Wallace was also the play-by-play commentator for the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship pay-per-view event in 1993 alongside a fellow kickboxer Kathy Long and NFL Hall of famer Jim Brown. [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0908539/bio IMDB] ] He also runs the Superfoot organization which are karate schools under his system. His film credits include A Force of One with Chuck Norris; Kill Point, with Cameron Mitchell; Continental Divide and Neighbors, with John Belushi; Protector, with Jackie Chan;Los Bravos with Hector Echavarria; A Prayer for the Dying,with Mickey Rourke; Ninja Turf; and A sword of Heaven.

References

External links

* [http://www.superfoot.com Bill Wallace's web site]