View source for Bill Wallace (martial artist)

{{short description|American martial artist (born 1945)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name            = Bill Wallace
| image           = Bill_Wallace,_Karate_World_Champion_2011.jpg
| caption         = Wallace in 2011
| birth_name      = William Louis Wallace
| other_names     = Superfoot, Fast Billy, Bad Billy
| rank            = {{color box|black}} 10th [[dan (rank)|dan]] black belt [[Sōke]] (Shōrin-ryū)
| nationality     = American
| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|1945|12|1}}
| birth_place     = [[Portland, Indiana]], U.S.
| fighting_out_of = [[Daytona Beach, Florida]]
| death_date      =
| death_place     =
| teacher         = Michael Gneck
| height          = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}
| weight          = {{convert|166|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| style           = [[Shōrin-ryū|Shōrin-ryū karate]]
| stance          = Orthodox
| trainer         = Jim "Ronin" Harrison
| years_active    = 1974–1990
| Noteable students=
| kickbox_win     = 23
| kickbox_kowin   = 13
| kickbox_loss    = 0
| kickbox_koloss  = 0
| kickbox_draw    = 0
| website         = https://superfootsystem.com
}}
'''William Louis Wallace''' (born December 1, 1945), nicknamed '''"Superfoot"''', is an American Martial arts, actor, and former [[Kickboxing|professional kickboxer]]. Considered one of the first American superstars of kickboxing,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bill Wallace |url=http://www.ikfkickboxing.com/BillWallace.htm |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=www.ikfkickboxing.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-14 |title=Top 10 Kickboxers of All Time |url=https://mmasucka.com/2022/11/14/top-10-greatest-kickboxers-of-all-time/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=MMA Sucka |language=en-US}}</ref> he was the [[Professional Karate Association|Professional Karate Association (PKA)]] World [[Full contact karate|Full-Contact]] Champion, and the Middleweight Kickboxing Champion for six years, retiring with an undefeated 23-0-0 record.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-11-30 |title=Bill Wallace Exclusive |url=https://www.backkicks.com/bill-wallace-exclusive/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=Martial Arts Encyclopedia |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Wallace|url=http://www.ikfkickboxing.com/BillWallace.htm|access-date=2021-09-10|website=www.ikfkickboxing.com}}</ref> He is currently the International Ambassador for PKA Worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowker |first=Dylan |date=2022-08-25 |title=Bill Superfoot Wallace on PKA comeback, Elvis friendship, and More |url=https://mymmanews.com/bill-superfoot-wallace-on-pka-comeback-elvis-friendship-and-more/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Wallace holds a 10th [[Dan (rank)|''dan'']] [[Black belt (martial arts)|black belt]] and the title of ''[[sōke]]'' ([[Grandmaster (martial arts)|grandmaster]]) in [[Shōrin-ryū|shōrin-ryū karate]].
== Background ==
Wallace was born in [[Portland, Indiana.]]He is of Scottish ancestry, and trained in [[wrestling]] during his high school years.<ref name="kiyojuteryu">{{cite web|url=http://kiyojuteryu.org:8084/soke/articles/wallace.shtml|title=Bill "Superfoot" Wallace: The Man, The Martial Artist, The Teacher|last=Durbin|first=William|date=|website=|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120074558/http://kiyojuteryu.org:8084/soke/articles/wallace.shtml|archivedate=November 20, 2008|accessdate=2009-02-19|df=mdy}}</ref> He began his study of [[Judo]] in 1966 and was forced to discontinue his Judo related activities because of an injury he suffered to his right knee during practice.<ref name="kiyojuteryu"/> He then began to study [[Shōrin-ryū]] [[Karate]] under Michael Gneck<ref name="Corcoran">{{cite book |title=Martial Arts: Traditions, History, People|author1=Corcoran, John  |author2=Farkas, Emil |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Gallery Books|year=1983|page=392}}</ref> 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 competition.
With the coaching help of veteran fighter Jim 'Ronin' Harrison, Wallace won 23 consecutive professional fights between 1974 and 1980,<ref name="IMDB"/> becoming the [[Professional Karate Association]] middleweight world [[Full contact karate|full-contact karate]] champion and retiring undefeated.<ref name="Corcoran" /><ref name="fightingmaster">{{cite web |url=http://www.fightingmaster.com/legends/wallace/index.htm |title=Bill "Superfoot" Wallace |publisher=Fightingmaster.com |accessdate=October 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004073820/http://fightingmaster.com/legends/wallace/index.htm |archivedate=October 4, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He was known for his fast left leg [[kick]]s,<ref name="superfoot">[http://www.superfoot.com/aboutbill.asp] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016082017/http://www.superfoot.com/aboutbill.asp|date=October 16, 2008}}</ref> especially his [[roundhouse kick]] and his [[hook kick]], which was clocked at about 60&nbsp;mph.<ref name="fightingmaster"/> He focused on his left leg because of the Judo-related injury to his right knee, using the right leg primarily as a base. He also was kicked in the groin during a point fighting tournament and suffered the loss of one [[testicle]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Interview with Bill Wallace | website=Kung-fu Kingdom | date=2017-11-27 | url=https://kungfukingdom.com/interview-with-bill-wallace/ | access-date=2021-05-19}}</ref>
A year later, Wallace turned professional and captured the [[Professional Karate Association|PKA]] middleweight karate championship with a second-round knockout. He relinquished the crown in 1980, undefeated. The PKA promoted the sport of full-contact karate. Full-contact karate differed from kickboxing in that leg kicks were allowed in kickboxing and forbidden in full-contact karate.  It was PKA President, Don Quine, who coined the phrase "Superfoot" to describe Wallace after witnessing his fight first with Mark Georgantas and then with Jem Echollas.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Hayes|first1=David|title=Bill "Superfoot" Wallace and the Taekwondo Connection|journal=Tae Kwon Do Life Magazine|date=February 2017|issue=3|page=50|url=http://www.tkdlifemagazine.com|accessdate=16 January 2017}}</ref>
In 1990 Bill Wallace (166 lbs) fought one last exhibition kickboxing/karate match with friend [[Joe Lewis (martial artist)|Joe Lewis]] (198 lbs) on pay per view. Both Wallace and Lewis were refused a boxing license because of their age. The exhibition ended with one judge in favor of Wallace and the other two judges scored the bout a tie; ending the exhibition in a draw.<ref>{{Citation|title=Bill Superfoot Wallace vs Joe Lewis| date=February 8, 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAEKbKHmo_Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/aAEKbKHmo_Q |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2020-02-01}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
== Education ==
Wallace studied at [[Ball State University]], earning a [[bachelor's degree]] in 1971 in [[physical education]].<ref name="superfoot"/> In 1976, he earned a [[master's degree]] in [[kinesiology]] from [[University of Memphis|Memphis State University]].<ref name="superfoot"/>
== Accomplishments ==
Wallace has taught karate, judo, wrestling, and weightlifting at Memphis State University. The author of a college textbook about karate and kinesiology, he continues to teach seminars across the United States and abroad.<ref name="superfoot"/> He has acted, most notably in ''[[A Force of One]]'' starring [[Chuck Norris]].<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079168/ A Force of One (1979)]</ref> Wallace was the play-by-play commentator for the inaugural [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]] [[pay-per-view]] event [[UFC 1]] in 1993 alongside fellow kickboxer [[Kathy Long]] and [[National Football League|NFL]] [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] player [[Jim Brown]] in which he burped as he said, "Hello, I'm Bill Wallace, and welcome to McNichols Arena" in what has become a much beloved blooper from that event.<ref name="IMDB">{{IMDb name|908539|section=bio}}</ref> Wallace administers an organization of karate schools under his "Superfoot" system. He was elected to ''[[Black Belt (magazine)|Black Belt Magazine's]]'' Hall of Fame in 1973 as "Tournament Karate Fighter of the Year" and again in 1978 as "Man of the Year."<ref>[http://www.blackbeltmag.com/archives/719 Black Belt Hall of Fame Awards] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128060155/http://www.blackbeltmag.com/archives/719 |date=January 28, 2010 }}</ref> His film credits include ''[[A Force of One]]'' with [[Chuck Norris]]; ''[[Killpoint]]'', with [[Cameron Mitchell (actor)|Cameron Mitchell]]; ''[[Continental Divide (film)|Continental Divide]]'' and ''[[Neighbors (1981 film)|Neighbors]]'', with [[John Belushi]]; ''[[The Protector (1985 film)|The Protector]]'', with [[Jackie Chan]]; ''Los Bravos'' with [[Hector Echavarria]]; ''[[A Prayer for the Dying]]'', with [[Mickey Rourke]]; ''[[Ninja Turf]]''; and ''Sword of Heaven''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0908539/|title=Bill Wallace IMDB Listing|website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>
[[File:Bill "Superfoot" Wallace Spars Greg Beaver.png|thumb|Bill Wallace Spars Greg Beaver in 1977]]
== Miscellaneous  ==
{{trivia|date=August 2017}}
Bill Wallace was a personal trainer and close friend of both [[Elvis Presley]] and [[John Belushi]]. On March 5, 1982, Bill Wallace found John Belushi dead of a cocaine and heroin overdose, in his room in Bungalow 3, at the [[Chateau Marmont]], on [[Sunset Boulevard]], in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], California.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/03/06/obituaries/john-belushi-manic-comic-of-tv-and-films-dies.html|title=John Belushi, Manic Comic of TV and Films Dies.|last=McFadden|first=Robert D.|date=March 6, 1982|work=New York Times|accessdate=September 25, 2007|quote=John Belushi, the manic, rotund comedian whose outrageous antics and spastic impersonations on the ''Saturday Night Live'' television show propelled him to stardom in the 1970s, was found dead yesterday in a rented bungalow in Hollywood, where he had launched a film career in recent years. The 33-year-old actor ...}}</ref>
Wallace has written and co-written a number of books, including:
* ''The Best of Bill Wallace''<ref>Wallace, Bill. ''The Best of Bill Wallace''. Black Belt Communications (April 2005) {{ISBN|0-89750-146-2}}</ref>
* ''Competitive Karate: Featuring the Superfoot System''<ref>Gibson, Adam, and Wallace, Bill. ''Competitive Karate: Featuring the Superfoot System'' Human Kinetics; 1 edition (January 27, 2004) {{ISBN|0-7360-4492-2}}</ref>
* ''The Ultimate Kick'' <ref>Wallace, Bill.  ''The Ultimate Kick''. Unique Publications (January 1987) {{ISBN|0-86568-088-4}}</ref>
* ''Dynamic Kicking & Stretching'' <ref>Wallace, Bill. ''Dynamic Kicking & Stretching''. Unique Publications (November 1981) {{ISBN|0-86568-018-3}}</ref>
* ''Karate: Basic Concepts & Skills'' <ref>Schroeder, Charles Roy and Wallace, Bill. ''Karate: Basic Concepts and Skills''. Addison Wesley Publishing Company (July 1976) {{ISBN|0-201-06837-0}}</ref>
DVD format:
* ''BOOST Karate for Children''<ref>Ferguson, Robert and Wallace, Bill. ''BOOST Karate for Children'' Black Belt Communications (May 1, 2005) ASIN: B0009T2JN8</ref>
* ''Karate: Basic Concepts & Skills'' <ref>ASIN B000LBZLTI</ref>
Bill Wallace also starred in the 1985 [[James Glickenhaus]] action film "[[The Protector (1985 film)|The Protector]]" alongside Jackie Chan and [[Danny Aiello]].  Wallace played a tough ex karate champ bodyguard (for a criminal boss), who has an extended fight scene with cop Jackie Chan in a Hong Kong warehouse.
==Kickboxing record==
{{Kickboxing record start|notes=y|title=Full-contact karate record|record='''23 wins (12 KOs), 0 losses, 0 draw'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.starsystemkickboxing.net/Pages/BillWallace.aspx|title=Bill Wallace's record at STAR|publisher=Starsystemkickboxing.net|accessdate=October 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115030410/http://www.starsystemkickboxing.net/Pages/BillWallace.aspx|archive-date=January 15, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
|-
|{{dts|1980|June|8|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} Robert Biggs
|
|[[Anderson, Indiana|Anderson, Indiana, USA]]
|Decision
| style="text-align:center;"|12
| style="text-align:center;"|2:00
|20–0
|Defends [[Professional Karate Association|PKA]] Middleweight World title.
|-
|{{dts|1980|May|24|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} Tony Georgiades
|
|[[Denver, Colorado|Denver, Colorado, USA]]
|KO
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|
|19–0
|
|-
|{{dts|1980|March|1|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} Raymond McCallum
|
|[[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA]]
|Decision
| style="text-align:center;"|5
| style="text-align:center;"|2:00
|18–0
|
|-
|{{dts|1980|February|2|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} Steve Mackey
|
|[[West Palm Beach, Florida|West Palm Beach, Florida, USA]]
|Decision
| style="text-align:center;"|5
| style="text-align:center;"|2:00
|17–0
|
|-
|{{dts|1978|July|18|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} Daryl Tyler
|
|[[Monte Carlo, Monaco]]
|TKO
| style="text-align:center;"|6
| style="text-align:center;"|
|16–0
|Defends [[Professional Karate Association|PKA]] Middleweight World title.
|-
|{{dts|1978|June|5|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|CAN}} Ralph Hollett
|
|[[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada]]
|Decision
| style="text-align:center;"|7
| style="text-align:center;"|2:00
|15–0
|
|-
|{{dts|1978|April|8|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} Glen Mehlmen
|
|[[Miami, Florida|Miami, Florida, USA]]
|Decision
| style="text-align:center;"|7
| style="text-align:center;"|2:00
|14–0
|
|-
|{{dts|1978|March|11|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} Emilio Narvaez
|
|[[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence, Rhode Island, USA]]
|Decision
| style="text-align:center;"|9
| style="text-align:center;"|2:00
|13–0
|Defends [[Professional Karate Association|PKA]] Middleweight World title.
|-
|{{dts|1977|November|28|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} Burnis White
|
|[[Honolulu, Hawaii|Honolulu, Hawaii, USA]]
|Decision
| style="text-align:center;"|9
| style="text-align:center;"|2:00
|12–0
|Defends [[Professional Karate Association|PKA]] Middleweight World title.
|-
|{{dts|1977|October|8|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} Pat Worley
|
|[[Indianapolis, Indiana|Indianapolis, Indiana, USA]]
|KO
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|
|11–0
|Defends [[Professional Karate Association|PKA]] Middleweight World title.
|-
|{{dts|1977|September|10|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} Herbie Thompson
|
|[[Miami, Florida|Miami, Florida, USA]]
|TKO
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|
|10–0
|
|-
|{{dts|1977|May|21|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} Ron Thivierge
|
|[[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence, Rhode Island, USA]]
|TKO
| style="text-align:center;"|6
| style="text-align:center;"|
|9–0
|Defends [[Professional Karate Association|PKA]] Middleweight World title.
|-
|{{dts|1977|April|23|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} Blinky Rodriguez
|
|[[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas, Nevada, USA]]
|Decision
| style="text-align:center;"|9
| style="text-align:center;"|2:00
|8–0
|Defends [[Professional Karate Association|PKA]] Middleweight World title.
|-
|{{dts|1976|October|1|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} Gary Edens
|
|[[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles, California, USA]]
|Decision
| style="text-align:center;"|9
| style="text-align:center;"|2:00
|7–0
|Defends [[Professional Karate Association|PKA]] Middleweight World title.
|-
|{{dts|1976|May|29|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|CAN}} Daniel Richer
|
|[[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], [[Canada]]
|TKO
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|
|6–0
|Defends [[Professional Karate Association|PKA]] Middleweight World title.
|-
|{{dts|1976|April|26|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|West Germany}} Dieter Herdel
|
|[[Paris, France]]
|KO (hook kick)
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|0:44
|5–0
|
|-
|{{dts|1976|March|13|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} Jem Echollas
|
|[[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas, Nevada, USA]]
|KO
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|
|4–0
|Defends [[Professional Karate Association|PKA]] Middleweight World title.
|-
|{{dts|1975|May|3|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Joe Corley]]
|
|[[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta, Georgia, USA]]
|TKO
| style="text-align:center;"|9
| style="text-align:center;"|1:31
|3–0
|Defends [[Professional Karate Association|PKA]] Middleweight World title.
|-
|{{dts|1974|September|14|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|CAN}} Daniel Richer
|
|[[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles, California, USA]]
|Decision
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|2:00
|2–0
|Wins [[Professional Karate Association|PKA]] Middleweight  World title.
|-
|{{dts|1974|September|14|format=mdy}}
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{flagicon|West Germany}} Bernd Grothe
|
|[[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles, California, USA]]
|TKO
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|
|1–0
|
|-
| colspan=10 | '''''Legend''''': {{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win |border=1px solid #CCFFCC}} {{legend2|#FFBBBB|Loss |border=1px solid #FFBBBB}} {{legend2|#c5d2ea|Draw/No contest |border=1px solid #c5d2ea}}
{{end}}
==Filmography==
{|class="wikitable sortable" width=70%
!width=35px| Year
!width=235px| Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=1|1979
|''[[A Force of One]]''
| Sparks
|
|-
|rowspan=1|1981
|''Sword of Heaven''
| Butch
|
|-
|rowspan=1|1984
|''[[Killpoint]]''
| Sparring Partner
|
|-
|rowspan=3|1985
|''[[Ninja Turf|L.A. Streetfighters]]''
| Kruger
|
|-
|''Manchurian Avenger''
|Kamikaze
|
|-
|''[[The Protector (1985 film)|The Protector]]''
|Benny Garucci
|
|-
|rowspan=1|1987
|''Fight to Win''
| Tankson
|
|-
|rowspan=1|1988
|''Silent Assassins''
| Colonel
|
|-
|rowspan=1|1989
|''American Hunter''
| Adam
|
|-
|rowspan=1|2016
|''Enter the Cage''
|
|
|-
|rowspan=1|2019
|''The Last Operative''
| Bill
|
|-
|}
== References ==
{{reflist|35em}}
== External links ==
*[http://www.superfootsystem.com Bill Wallace's web site]
*{{IMDb name|nm0908539}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wallace, Bill}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:Mixed martial arts broadcasters]]
[[Category:Ball State University alumni]]
[[Category:University of Memphis alumni]]
[[Category:American male karateka]]
[[Category:American male kickboxers]]
[[Category:Middleweight kickboxers]]
[[Category:Kickboxers from Indiana]]
[[Category:People from Portland, Indiana]]
[[Category:Shōrin-ryū practitioners]]
[[Category:United States Air Force airmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]