The four, Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace, Jeff Smith and Isaias Duenas, all won their world titles in 1974 and have come together for the first time thanks to martial arts expert and Pantheon Sports owner Carl Emery.
American Joe Lewis, an actor and former training partner and friend to Bruce Lee and Sugar Ray Robinson, was not expected to attend the event due to being diagnosed with cancer recently – but in true fighting spirit the man twice voted as ‘greatest fighter in karate history’ he will be there to greet fans. Lewis, a former US Marine who fought alongside Rocky Marciano in Vietnam, is also one of only five men to have recorded a victory over the legendary Chuck Norris.
Billy Murray, who won four world kickboxing titles at four different weights, said: “It was an honour to be invited and to have the chance to be in the company of the men mainly responsible for bringing kickboxing to the western world.
“They were in their day the best point-karate fighters and they helped make kickboxing a mainstream sport and brought it to the big screen in spectacular fashion. It’s going to be a fantastic event and I wish them all well; I would have been like a kid in a sweet shop to be in the company of these great fighters.
I have met three of the four icons of kickboxing the only one I've not had the pleasure of meeting was Mr Isaias Duenas - I was so looking forward to meeting him, however I couldn't let the promoter down in the Kilkenny event - I've had that done on me before and it's horrible.
“It is a great thing that Carl Emery is doing for the sport and, of course, for the four champions.”
Boxing promoter
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