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Don "The Dragon" Wilson
"The DRAGON"
Will
Be In the House At The
2008 IKF
World Classic!
Although he would still step into the ring with anyone today,
in 2002 at age 47, Don "The Dragon" Wilson entered the
ring for what would be his last real kickboxing bout. Wilson had
continued his undefeated comeback streak since winning his IKF 
World
Title back in 1999 with his 3rd victory in 3 tries (2 wins by KO/TKO and 1
by decision). in the bout, Wilson faced off against pro kickboxer
Eddie Butcher of Baltimore, MA, USA where in round 6, Wilson
landed an overhand right that put an end to
Butcher.
After that fight his Professional Kickboxing Record stood at 71 wins, 5 loses and 2 draws with 47 wins coming by the Knockout. He has been regarded as one of the greatest kickboxer of all time. Up and coming Amateur Kickboxers will get a chance to rub shoulders with him all weekend long because he will be "In The House" at the 2008 IKF World Classic Amateur Championship Tournament on JULY, 18th, 19th & 20th 2008 in Orlando, Florida, USA.
During his career Don won a total of 11 World Titles with several Sanctioning bodies that included the IKF, WKA, KICK, ISKA, STAR and the PKO. Never backing down from a challenge, Don has fought champions all around the world, in Hong Kong, Japan, Italy, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Thailand, Las Vegas and countless other locations.
In 1999 at 45 years of age,
(Right) Don stepped back into the ring to fight for the vacant
IKF Pro, FCR Cruiserweight World Title on
May
15th, 1999 in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA against Dick Kimber
for what is still this day, the highest kickboxing purse EVER paid,
$150,000.00 and some additional training expenses. Kimber swore to
everyone that he'd have the fight over before the fifth round. However when the
Dragon unloaded on Kimber in round three, Kimber dropped
to the mat and referee Dan Stell counted him out on the floor, a count
that went into the round break. Kimber never stood during the count and
to this date, Kimber never fought again. It had been over eight years
since Don last entered the ring, but his trademark sidekick was stronger
than ever. Wilson picked up the IKF
Cruiserweight World Title for his efforts and Kimber kept his promise
when this one was over in round 3. In 2001, having never been challenged for his
title, Wilson Voluntarily Retired it to move down to the Light
Heavyweight Division.
Over his career Wilson fought and defeated many Great
fighters such as James Warring, Demetrius Edwards, Maurice Smith,
Dennis Downey, Dennis Alexio, Branimir
Cikatic, Mike Winkeljohn, Herb Thompson, Greg Smith, Muhammed Ashraf Tai, Panya
Sornnoi, Pongdienoi Prasobchai, Rob Salazar, and a very controversial Draw
against
Jean-Yves Theriault which many thought Wilson clearly won.
After his first retirement from the ring, Wilson went on to yet another level of stardom as an action movie star. Movies to his credit include: The Last Sentinel (2007), Soft Target (2006), Sci-Fighter (2004), Stealing Harvard (2002), Redemption (2002), Moving Target (2000), The Capitol Conspiracy (1999), Whatever It Takes (1999), Inferno aka Operation Cobra (1998), Hollywood Safari (1997), Papertrail (1997), Night Hunter (1996), Virtual Combat (1996), Bloodfist VIII: Trained to Kill (1996), Cyber-Tracker 2 (1995), Bloodfist VII: Manhunt (1995), Batman Forever (1995), Ring of Fire 3: Lion Strike (1995), Bloodfist VI: Ground Zero (1995), Terminal Rush (1995), CyberTracker (1994), Red Sun Rising (1994), Bloodfist V: Human Target (1994), Out for Blood (1993), Ring of Fire II: Blood and Steel (1993), Bloodfist IV: Die Trying (1992), Blackbelt (1992), Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight (1992), Ring of Fire (1991), Future Kick (1991), Bloodfist II (1990), Bloodfist (1989) and Say Anything... (1989).
During this time Don married well known Film and Television Makeup artist Kathleen Karridene in 1996. They have three children together; Jonathan, Drayden, and Aubrianna. Over the course of his career Don won 11 world titles in 3 different weight divisions, something no other fighter has accomplished. Here is a list of his 11 World titles and some of his awards.
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Exhibition with Bill Wallace - 1979- |
To read previous IKF articles about Don Wilson click HERE!
2008
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