We will try and bring you the facts as soon as we know more. Our prayers and wishes are with him and his entire family at the difficult time.
Some infomation about Mr Joe Lewis, the legend!..
Joe Lewis is an American kickboxer, point karate fighter, and actor. As a fighter, Lewis gained fame for his matches in the 1960s and 1970s. He has twice been voted the greatest fighter in karate history, and has attained the titles of United States Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion, to World Heavyweight Karate Champion, and United States National Black Belt Kata Champion.
Joe Lewis was born on March 7, 1944 in Knightdale, North Carolina. Joined the United States Marine Corps in 1962 and was stationed at Cherry Point in Havelock, North Carolina.
He studied Shorin-ryu Karate with Eizo Shimabukuro, John Korab, Chinsaku Kinjo andSeiyu Oyata in Okinawa while serving in the United States Marine Corps, earning his black belt in a mere seven months.
He was one of the first Marines stationed in Vietnam, there meeting Rocky Marciano. Upon returning to the USA, he began a winning tournament career.
From 1967 to 1968, he studied privately with the influential martial artist and Jeet Kune Do founder Bruce Lee.
At the age of 39, in 1983, Joe Lewis launched a comeback which saw him earn a top-10 PKA world ranking. In his bid for a title Lewis defeated T. Morrison, Charlton Young, Melvin Cole and Curtis Crandal.
On April 16, Lewis lost to Tom Hall in an upset. On August 10, Lewis suffered a disappointing 4th round technical knockout (TKO) loss to US heavyweight champion Kerry Roop for the PKA US heavyweight title. Lewis retired after the defeat. Joe Lewis's competitive career in kickboxing and PKA full-contact karate ended with a combined record of 15 wins and 4 losses (The PKA World title record was 5 wins 4 losses). In 1990 Lewis (198 lbs) fought one last exhibition kickboxing/karate match with friend Bill Wallace (166 lbs) on pay per view. Both Lewis and Wallace were refused a boxing license because of their age. The exhibition ended with two judges scoring a tie and one judge giving the fight to Wallace in the exhibition event.
Mr Joe Lewis continues to act as a kickboxing ambassador and still travels across the world teaching.
Let's hope and pray Mr Lewis makes a full recovery as the four original world champions are re-uniting for the first time on December 3rd in Geneva. Organised by the European Kingpin Mr Carl Emery, this was a great coup when all four agreed to meet for a dinner and a seminar.
Comments
I only knew JOE for a couple of years. He was a friend and I know he was a caring friend to B. Lee’s Mother. Hey, CHUCK N. if you read this, he remained a friend of yours til the end.
God be with you Joe.
Bob
By Bob HarrisBob Harris on 19 Mar 2014
I grew up on the same farm in Knightdale, North Carolina with Joe and wish I could make contact with him at this time in our lives. We are just months apart in age. If anyone can get this information to Joe please help me to make that contact. Allen Rogers, 6100 New Market Way, Raleigh, NC 27609, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or phone 919-605-4236. With Joe’s illness it is important that I talk to a close friend who is very important to me. Thank you. Allen Rogers
mar er ....(((PROKICK EDIT Hey Allen Billy Murray here, I sent you an email address for Mr L - was meant to meet with him a few weeks ago but unfortunately for me some of my fighters were fighting that night and couldn’t meet up with the Fab 4- however Mr L and the others had a great time in Geneva. Hope you had a great Christmas and here’s wishing you a healthy 2012.)))))
By Allen RogersAllen Rogers on 25 Dec 2011
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you Mr. Lewis. If anyone can beat brain cancer it will certainly be you. If you are fighting cancer then I would NOT want to be cancer as I have seen footage of you fighting. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Take care and God bless
By Earl GreggEarl Gregg on 16 Oct 2011