Don "The Dragon" Wilson

Don Wilson
Born Donald Glen Wilson
September 10, 1954 (1954-09-10) (age 57)
Cocoa Beach, Florida, United States[1]
Other names The Dragon
Nationality American
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight 195 lb (88 kg; 13.9 st)
Division Middleweight
Light Heavyweight
Cruiserweight
Style Gōjū-ryū Karate, Kickboxing, Pai Lum Tao Kung Fu
Fighting out of Alton, Illinois, United States
Team White Dragon Kickboxing
Years active 1974-2011
Kickboxing record
Total 83
Wins 73
By knockout 47
Losses 5
Draws 2
No contests 3
Website http://www.donthedragonwilson.com

Don "The Dragon" Wilson (born September 10, 1954) is an American champion kickboxer and actor. He is most famous for his acting roles in action/adventure films, including eight titles in Roger Corman's Bloodfist series.[2]

Contents

Biography

Early life

Wilson was born to a European-American father and Japanese mother in Cocoa Beach, Florida,[3] and grew up on Florida's Space Coast. He had a long and successful career in the ring. He was perhaps the best known and most successful kickboxer of his era.

He is a Sifu in Pai Lum Tao Kung fu (Source: Inside Kungfu, September 2004).[4] also known as White Dragon Kung Fu which is how he obtained his nickname. Wilson incorporated this and claimed his style as White Dragon Kickboxing.

Kickboxing career

Wilson won a total of 11 World Titles with several sanctioning bodies that included the IKF, WKA, KICK, ISKA, STAR and the PKO. He won his IKF (www.IKFKickboxing.com) FCR Cruiserweight World Title on May 15, 1999 in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA, when he defeated Dick Kimber. (Lynn, Massachusetts, USA PRO: 23-3/21, AM: 25-0/25 5'9" 197 lbs) At the end of the 3rd round Wilson came alive and exploded with a flurry that eventually knocked Kimber to the floor motionless. Referee Dan Stell counted Kimber out on the floor, a count that went into the round break. Kimber never stood during the count.

Having never been challenged for his title, Wilson voluntarily retired it to move down to the Light Heavyweight Division, where he eventually retired from fighting a few years later.

Hall of Fame 2010 by WKL World Kickboxing League (www.wklkickboxing.com).

According to Inside Kung-Fu Presents Kickboxing Magazine (August 1992), Don Wilson's kickboxing record was listed as 69 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws, 46 knockout wins, and 6 kick-knockouts, and 3 no-contests. On page 64, Wilson's first match with Bill Knoblok in Orlando, Florida in December 1974 is listed as a 3 round no-contest. However, on page 52 in the same issue, Wilson said about his fight with Knoblok, " But Bill won the third round by a larger margin than I had won the first. So he won the bout." Today the official result of this fight was listed as a no-contest on Wilson's official fight record because when he decided to fight for PKA, Joe Corley felt the rule of the bout was quite different from those of PKA, Corley told Wilson to omit it.

Wilson's kickboxing career spanned 4-decades; his first fight with Bill Knoblok in 1974 and his last fight, a 10th round knockout victory over Eddie Butcher on July 19, 2002 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He defeated among others, world champions Branko Cikatic, James Warring, Dennis Alexio, and Maurice Smith. Wilson fought a draw with another champion, Jean-Yves Theriault. In 79 bouts, Wilson was only knocked out by Glen McMorris in 1980. Wilson's kickboxing record is listed as 72-5-2 (48 knockouts) with 3 no-contests.

Commentating career

Wilson was a fight commentator and interviewer in many of the early UFC events, beginning with UFC 7 in Buffalo. He stated several times that he would be willing to fight in the UFC himself if enough fans requested it, but it never happened. He went on to be a commentator for King of the Cage.

Film appearances

Some movies to his credit include: Futurekick, Bloodfist 1-8, Ring of Fire 1, 2 & 3, Out for Blood, Operation Cobra, Blackbelt, Cyber Tracker 1 & 2, Sci Fighters, Redemption, Say Anything... Capitol Conspiracy, and Batman Forever as the leader of the Neon Gang.[5]

Personal life

Married well known film and television makeup artist Kathleen Karridene in 1996. They have three children together; Jonathan, Drayden, and Aubrianna.

Titles

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing Record
73 wins (48 (T)KOs, 24 Decisions), 5 Losses, 2 Draws, 3 No Contests[6]
Date Result Opponent Event/Venue Location Method Round Time Record
2011-12-00 Win Kash Gill Unknown, Unknown @ Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Decision 3 73-5-2-3
2002-07-19 Win Eddie Butcher "A Night Of Champions", I.S.K.A. Event @ Tropicana Hotel Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA KO (Overhand Right) 10 72-5-2-3
2000-03-17 Win Dewey Cooper I.S.K.A. Event @ MGM Grand Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision 10 2:00 71-5-2-3
Wins I.S.K.A. full-contact cruiserweight North American title -88.2 kg.
1999-05-14 Win Dirk Kimber I.K.F. Event @ Tsongas Arena Lowell, Michigan, USA TKO 3 2:08 70-5-2-3
Wins I.K.F. full-contact cruiserweight world title -88.6 kg.
1991-01-12 Win Ghalib Carmichael W.K.A. Event Anaheim, California, USA Decision 11 2:00 69-5-2-3
Retains W.K.A. full-contact light-heavyweight world title -79 kg (9th defence). Vacates title after win.
1990-07-27 Win Yuleeb Kazakov K.I.C.K. & I.S.K.A. Event @ West Palm Beach Auditorium West Palm Beach, Florida, USA TKO 5 68-5-2-3
1989-12-01 Win Maurizio Curallo P.K.O. Event Rome, Italy TKO (Gave Up) 1 67-5-2-3
1989-11-27 Win Giuliano Grillo P.K.O. Event Milan, Italy TKO 2 66-5-2-3
1989-11-04 Loss Marek Piotrowski F.F.K.A. & P.K.C. Event @ Odeum Expo Center Chicago, Illinois, USA Decision (Split) 12 2:00 65-5-2-3
Fight was for vacant F.F.K.A. & P.K.C. full-contact light-heavyweight world titles. Although his I.S.K.A. full-contact cruiserweight world title was not on the line, Wilson would have to vacate it due to the defeat.
1989-07-03 Win Mike Winkeljohn W.K.A. Event Costa Mesa, California, USA TKO 10 65-4-2-3
1989-04-20 Win Keith Wilson P.K.O. Event London, England, UK TKO 4 64-4-2-3
1989-04-13 Win Ken Stranberg P.K.O. Event Gothenborg, Sweden Decision 5 2:00 63-4-2-3
1989-03-18 Win Ferdinand Mack P.K.O. Event Berlin, Germany TKO 9 62-4-2-3
Wins inaugural P.K.O. full-contact light-heavyweight world title -78 kg.
1988-10-08 Win Rob Salazar I.S.K.A. Event Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA Decision (Split) 12 2:00 61-4-2-3
Wins inaugural I.S.K.A. full-contact cruiserweight world title -82.7 kg.
1988-07-30 Win John England W.K.A. & K.I.C.K. Event @ James L. Knight Center Miami, Florida, USA TKO 4 60-4-2-3
1987-09-12 Win Branko Cikatić K.I.C.K. Event Orlando, Florida, USA KO (punches) 7 59-4-2-3
Retains K.I.C.K. full-contact light-heavyweight world title -79 kg (2nd defence).
1987-06-22 Win Art Jimmerson W.K.A. Event @ Brassy's Nightclub Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA KO 6 58-4-2-3
1987-04-22 Win Roger Hurd W.K.A. Event @ Brassy's Nightclub Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA TKO 4 57-4-2-3
Retains W.K.A. full-contact light-heavyweight world title -79 kg (8th defence).
1987-01-19 Win Paul Ford W.K.A. Event Merrit Island, Florida, USA TKO 6 56-4-2-3
1986-09-22 Win Rich Lopez W.K.A. Event @ Brassy's Nightclub Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA KO (Round Kick to Jaw) 5 55-4-2-3
Retains W.K.A. full-contact light-heavyweight world title -79 kg (7th defence).
1985-12-06 Win Charlie Archie W.K.A. Event Miami, Florida, USA KO (Kick) 1 54-4-2-3
1985-11-10 Win Michael Husbands I.N.D. Event @ Verdun Auditorium Montreal, Canada TKO 5 53-4-2-3
1984-12-18 Draw Jean-Yves Thériault I.N.D. Event @ Verdun Auditorium Montreal, Canada Decision Draw 12 2:00 52-4-2-3
Receives recognition as S.T.A.R. undisputed full-contact light-heavyweight world champion -79 kg.
1984-09-05 Win Fanta Attapong (Buadan)[7][8][9] W.K.A. Event @ Queen Elizabeth Stadium Hong Kong Decision 7 3:00 52-4-1-3
1984-03-29 Win Dennis Alexio W.K.A. Event Hollywood, Florida, USA Decision 12 2:00 51-4-1-3
Wins inaugural W.K.A. full-contact super light-heavyweight world title -83.2 kg and also receives recognition as S.T.A.R. undisputed full-contact super light-heavyweight world champion -83.2 kg. Before taking the fight Wilson voluntarily vacated his W.K.A. full-contact cruiserweight world title in January, 1984. He would later also vacate his W.K.A. super light-heavyweight world title he won against Alexio in October that same year.
1983-12-12 Loss Samart Parsanmit Royal Thai Army Welfare Event @ Lumpinee Stadium Bangkok, Thailand Decision 5 3:00 50-4-1-3
1983-09-26 Win Pongdienoi Prasobchai W.K.A. Event @ Queen Elizabeth Stadium Hong Kong TKO (Spinning Back Kick) 4 50-3-1-3
1983-08-19 Win Jarvis Gradner W.K.A. Event Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA Decision 9 2:00 49-3-1-3
1983-07-16 Win Steve Valencia K.I.C.K. Event New York City, New York, USA TKO 4 48-3-1-3
Retains K.I.C.K. full-contact light-heavyweight world title -79 kg (1st defence).
1983-05-21 Win Maurice Smith W.K.A. Event Tokyo, Japan Decision 11 2:00 47-3-1-3
Wins vacant W.K.A. cruiserweight world title -86.4 kg. Also receives recognition as S.T.A.R. undisputed full-contact cruiserweight world champion -86.4 kg.
1983-04-19 Win Curtis Crandall K.I.C.K. Event @ Caesar's Palace Las Vegas, Nevada, USA TKO 11 46-3-1-3
Wins inaugural K.I.C.K. full-contact light-heavyweight world title -79 kg.
1983-03-19 Win James Sisco W.K.A. Event Nassau, Bahamas KO 2 45-3-1-3
1982-11-06 Win Demetrius Edwards W.K.C. Event @ West Palm Beach Auditorium West Palm Beach, Florida, USA Decision 9 2:00 44-3-1-3
1982-09-04 Win James Warring W.K.A. Event Tokyo, Japan Decision 11 2:00 43-3-1-3
Retains W.K.A. full-contact light-heavyweight world title -79 kg (6th defence).
1982-04-08 Win Panya Sornnoi W.K.A. Event @ Queen Elizabeth Stadium Hong Kong Decision 9 42-3-1-3
Retains W.K.A. full-contact light-heavyweight world title -79 kg (5th defence).
1982-02-08 Win James Sisco W.K.A. Event @ Queen Elizabeth Stadium Hong Kong TKO 4 41-3-1-3
Retains W.K.A. full-contact light-heavyweight world title -79 kg (4th defence).
1981-12-07 Win Dennis Downey W.K.A. Event @ Brassy's Nightclub Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA DQ (Biting) 7 40-3-1-3
1981-12-07 Win Mark Zacharatos W.K.A. Event @ Imperial Palace Las Vegas, Nevada, USA KO 3 39-3-1-3
Retains W.K.A. full-contact light-heavyweight world title -79 kg (3rd defence).
1981-09-08 Win Panya Sornnoi W.K.A. Event @ Queen Elizabeth Stadium Hong Kong Decision (Split) 7 2:00 38-3-1-3
Retains W.K.A. full-contact light-heavyweight world title -79 kg (2nd defence).
1981-07-25 Win Al Mims W.K.A. Event @ West Palm Beach Auditorium West Palm Beach, Florida, USA KO 3 37-3-1-3
1981-06-24 Win Muhammed Ashraf Tai W.K.A. Event Tokyo, Japan KO 2 36-3-1-3
1981-05-15 Win Larry Nichols W.K.A. Event @ St. Lucie Civic Center Fort Pierce, Florida, USA KO (Kick) 5 35-3-1-3
1981-03-23 Win Greg Smith W.K.A. Event @ Brassy's Nightclub Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA Decision 5 2:00 34-3-1-3
1981-03-10 Win Herbie Thompson W.K.A. Event Westchester, New York, USA KO 8 33-3-1-3
Retains W.K.A. full-contact light-heavyweight world title -79 kg (1st defence).
1981-02-10 Win Eddie Dourant W.K.A. Event @ St. Lucie Civic Center Fort Pierce, Florida, USA TKO 7 32-3-1-3
1980-12-01 Win Larry Lockhart W.K.A. Event @ Brassy's Nightclub Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA TKO 4 31-3-1-3
1980-10-13 Win Andy White W.K.A. Event @ Brassy's Nightclub Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA KO 2 30-3-1-3
Wins inaugural W.K.A. full-contact light-heavyweight world title -79 kg. Also receives recognition as S.T.A.R. undisputed full-contact light-heavyweight world champion -79 kg.
1980-07-21 Win Rodney Batiste P.K.A. World Championship Eliminations @ Brassy's Nightclub Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA Decision 10 2:00 29-3-1-3
Wins eliminator for shot at vacant P.K.A. and S.T.A.R. full-contact middleweight world titles against Jean-Yves Thériault. This fight would never materialise, however, due to a number of contractual & promotional issues.
1980-06-? Win Steve Mackey P.K.A. Event @ West Palm Beach Auditorium West Palm Beach, Florida, USA KO 1 28-3-1-3
1980-05-20 Win Larry Doggert Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA KO 7 27-3-1-3
1980-04-14 Win Bernard Clark P.K.A. Event @ Brassy's Nightclub Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA TKO 6 26-3-1-3
1980-03-05 Loss Glenn McMorris P.K.A. Event @ West Palm Beach Auditorium West Palm Beach, Florida, USA TKO 1 25-3-1-3
Loses P.K.A. full-contact middleweight U.S. title -77.3 kg.
1980-02-08 Win Larry Poore West Palm Beach Auditorium West Palm Beach, Florida, USA TKO 7 25-2-1-3
1980-01-? Win Greg Strong P.K.A. Event Miami, Florida, USA TKO (Kick) 7 24-2-1-3
Retains P.K.A. full-contact middleweight U.S. title -77.3 kg (1st defence).
1979-11-10 Draw Steve Mackey P.K.A. Event Orlando, Florida, USA Technical Draw 2 23-2-1-3
1979-10-23 Win Willie Ruffin Orlando Sports Stadium Orlando, Florida, USA TKO 5 23-2-0-3
1979-09-15 Win Jimmy Horsley P.K.A. Event Orlando, Florida, USA TKO 7 22-2-0-3
Wins P.K.A. full-contact middleweight U.S. title -77.3 kg.
1979-08-? Win Danny Wedges W.K.A. Event @ West Palm Beach Auditorium West Palm Beach, Florida, USA KO 1 21-2-0-3
1979-08-? Win John Shields Bradenton, Florida, USA TKO 2 20-2-0-3
1979-07-? Win Al Durr Orlando, Florida, USA KO 3 19-2-0-3
1979-06-23 Win Benny Fernandez P.K.A. Event Bradenton, Florida, USA DQ (Hit & Hold Clinching) 1 18-2-0-3
Retains P.K.A. full-contact middleweight Florida State title -77.3 kg (4th defence).
1979-06-09 Win Willie Ruffin Miami, Florida, USA TKO 3 17-2-0-3
1979-05-26 Win Jeff Gripper W.K.A. Event @ West Palm Beach Auditorium West Palm Beach, Florida, USA Decision 7 2:00 16-2-0-3
1979-03-07 Win Ted Pryor West Palm Beach Auditorium West Palm Beach, Florida, USA Decision 7 2:00 15-2-0-3
1979-02-17 Win Rich Cook P.K.A. Event Stuart, Florida, USA Decision 7 2:00 14-2-0-3
Retains P.K.A. full-contact middleweight Florida State title -77.3 kg (3rd defence).
1979-01-13 Win James Sisco P.K.A. Event Bradenton, Florida, USA TKO 4 13-2-0-3
Retains P.K.A. full-contact middleweight Florida State title -77.3 kg (2nd defence).
1978-12-? Win Rick Herranz West Palm Beach Auditorium West Palm Beach, Florida, USA KO 1 12-2-0-3
1978-12-02 Win Herbie Thompson P.K.A. Event Stuart, Florida, USA Decision 7 2:00 11-2-0-3
Retains P.K.A. full-contact middleweight Florida State title -77.3 kg (1st defence).
1978-11-18 Win Ron Harry P.K.A. Event Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA KO 1 10-2-0-3
1978-10-20 Loss Robert Biggs P.K.A. Event West Palm Beach, Florida, USA Decision (Split) 5 2:00 9-2-0-3
1978-09-23 Win Ted Pryor P.K.A. Event Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA Decision 5 2:00 9-1-0-3
Wins P.K.A. full-contact middleweight Florida State title -77.3 kg.
1978-04-08 Win Charlie Jordan P.K.A. Event Miami, Florida, USA DQ (Failed Minimum Kicks Rule) 4 8-1-0-3
1977-10-08 Win Robert Parris Melbourne, Florida, USA Decision 7 2:00 7-1-0-3
1977-09-10 Win James Sisco P.K.A. Event Miami, Florida, USA KO (Side Kick to Body) 3 6-1-0-3
1977-07-18 Win Howard Hayden West Palm Beach Auditorium West Palm Beach, Florida, USA Decision 5 2:00 5-1-0-3
1977-05-? Win John Sweet Miami, Florida, USA Decision 5 2:00 4-1-0-3
1977-03-? Win Robert Dillard Melbourne, Florida, USA Decision 3 2:00 3-1-0-3
1976-09-? NC Herbie Thompson Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA No Contest 5 2:00 2-1-0-3
P.K.A. changed result due to improper procedures & equipment which hindered fair competition.
1976-05-28 NC Rudy Burney P.K.A. Event Tampa, Florida, USA No Contest 5 2:00 2-1-0-2
Questionable decision for Burney was changed by P.K.A. due to judging/promoting elements which prevented a fair result for Wilson.
1975-11-? Loss Steve Shepherd Miami, Florida, USA Decision 3 2:00 2-1-0-1
1975-08-? Win Ben Green Melbourne, Florida, USA Decision 5 2:00 2-0-0-1
1975-05-? Win Ken Broadway Melbourne, Florida, USA KO (Side Kick to Body) 3 1-0-0-1
1974-12-? NC Bill Knoblock Space Coast Karate Tournament Orlando, Florida, USA No Contest 3 2:00 0-0-0-1
Part of Wilson's Black Belt examination. P.K.A. changed result to No-Contest which both participants and promoters agreed on.

Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

Filmography

Film and Television Credits

Year Title Role Notes
1989 Say Anything... Sparring Partner Film
1989 Bloodfist Jake Raye Film
1990 Bloodfist II Jake Raye Film
1991 Ring of Fire Johnny Woo Film
1991 Future Kick Walker Film
1992 Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight Jimmy Boland Film
1992 Blackbelt Jack Dillon Film
1992 Out for Blood John Decker Film (also producer)
1992 Bloodfist IV: Die Trying Danny Holt Film (also producer)
1993 Ring of Fire II: Blood and Steel Johnny Woo Film (also producer)
1993 Magic Kid Himself Video
1994 Bloodfist V: Human Target Jim Stanton Film
1994 Red Sun Rising Thomas Hoshino Film
1994 CyberTracker Eric Phillips Film
1995 Bloodfist VI: Ground Zero Nick Corrigan Film (also producer)
1995 Ring of Fire 3: Lion Strike
(aka: Lion Strike)		 Dr. Johnny Wu Film (also writer--story)
1995 Batman Forever Gang Leader Film
1995 Bloodfist VII: Manhunt Jim Trudell Film (also producer)
1995 Cyber-Tracker 2 Eric Film (also producer)
1995 The Power Within Himself Film
1995 Virtual Combat David Quarry Film
1995 Top Fighter Himself Documentary
1996 Bloodfist VIII: Trained to Kill Rick Cowan/George 'Mac' MacReady Film
1996 Night Hunter Jack Cutter Film (also producer)
1997 Moesha Himself (1996 TV series) Episode: "Break It Down" (1997)
1997 Hollywood Safari Greg Film
1997 Inferno
(aka: Operation Cobra)		 Kyle Conners Film
1997 Papertrail FBI Agent Ryu Film (as Don Wilson)
1999 Whatever It Takes Neil Film (also producer)
1999 Terminal Rush Jacob Harper Film (also producer)
1999 The Prophet
(aka: The Capitol Conspiracy)		 Jarrid Maddox Film
2000 Moving Target Ray Brock Film (also producer)
2001 Walker, Texas Ranger Himself (1993 TV series) Episode: "Legends" (2001)
2002 Redemption John Sato Collins Video (also producer)
2002 Modern Warriors Himself TV special
2002 Stealing Harvard Loach's Friend Film (as Don Wilson)
2002 Mass Destruction Himself Documentary
2003 How to Be an Action Star Himself Video
2004 Sci-Fighter Jack Tanaka Film (also producer)
2006 Crooked
(aka: Soft Target)		 Danny Tyler Film (also producer)
2006 18 Fingers of Death! Himself Video
2007 The Last Sentinel Tallis Film (as Don Wilson) (also producer)
2009 Hollywood Lives Himself TV series (one episode)

References

  1. ^ http://www.donthedragonwilson.com
  2. ^ "How the Dragon Gets His Kicks". The Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1991-01-05/entertainment/ca-6772_1_future-kick. Retrieved 2011-03-29. 
  3. ^ W.A.K.O. profile of Don "The Dragon" Wilson
  4. ^ Inside Kungfu September 2004
  5. ^ "KICKBOXER HAS NEW AIM DON WILSON RETIRES FROM RING, FOCUSES ON ACTING". Orlando Sentinel. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1991-10-13/news/9110110164_1_kickboxing-karate-association-don-wilson. Retrieved 2011-03-30. 
  6. ^ “STAR System Authenticated Kickboxing Record: Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson” (19 July 2002 - complete fight record & stats). http://starsystemkickboxing.net/DonWilson.aspx. Retrieved on 21 July 2011
  7. ^ “STAR System Authenticated Kickboxing Record: Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson” (19 July 2002). http://starsystemkickboxing.net/DonWilson.aspx. Retrieved on 2 June 2011
  8. ^ “Career Record”. http://www.donthedragonwilson.com. Retrieved on 2 June 2011
  9. ^ "Career Highlights: Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson Professional Kickboxing Record". (August 1992). Inside Kung-Fu Presents Kickboxing magazine, p. 64

External links