Don "The Dragon" Wilson (born September
10, 1954 in Illinois) is an American champion kickboxer and actor. He is
most famous for his acting roles in action-adventure films, including
nine titles in Roger Corman's Bloodfist series. His first film was
Corman's Killer Instinct.
Wilson had a long and successful career in the ring. He was perhaps the
best known and most successful kickboxer of his era. He was one of the
very few American kickboxers of the time (the 1980s) to travel to
Thailand and compete in Muay Thai under local rules. These rules
differed from the kickboxing rules prevalent in the West at the time, in
that American kickboxing generally allowed only kickboxing above the
waist, together with boxing techniques. Muay Thai, on the other hand,
allowed then as now leg kicks, elbows and knees (delivered usually
during a clinch).
Often Western kickboxing of the era was undertaken with leg guards,
forbidden in Thailand where the fighters would have had a lifetime of
conditioning their shins. As a result, most Westerners facing Thais were
defeated by unfamiliarity with Thai leg-checking techniques and by the
superior conditioning of the Thais. Seen in that context, Wilson's
record of two defeats in Thailand on points is more credible, as is his
decision to fight in Thailand in the first place.
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 ) 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.
Wilson was also a fight commentator and interviewer in many of the early
UFC events. He stated several times that he would be willing to fight in
the UFC himself if enough fans requested it, but it never happened.
Some Movies to his credit include: Futurekick, Bloodfist 1-9, Ring of
Fire 1 & 2, Out for Blood, Operation Cobra, Blackbelt, Cyber Tracker 1 &
2, Sci Fighters, Redemption, and Capitol Conspiracy.
Married well known Film and Television Makeup artist Kathleen Karridene
in 1996. They have three children together; Jonathan, Drayden, and
Aubrianna.
Blackbelt Magazine's 1984
Full Contact Fighter of the Year
Don Wilson Videos
Don Wilson
Movies - DVDs
Don Wilson Movies
- VHSs
-
Official Web
Site Don "the Dragon" Wilson's official website. FLASH
site.
CAREER
RECORD
The Dragon's Professional
Record Includes: 71 Wins, 5 Losses, 2 Draws, 47 Knockouts, and 6
Kick-Knockouts
|
TITLES |
2000 -
ISKA North American Cruiserweight Title |
1999 - IKF
Cruiserweight World Champion (190 lbs.) |
1989 - PKO
Light-Heavyweight World Champion (170 lbs) |
1988 -
ISKA Cruiserweight World Champion (182 lbs) |
1984 -
STAR Super Light-Heavyweight World Champion (184 lbs) |
1984 - WKA
Super Light-Heavyweight World Champion (184 lbs) |
1983 -
STAR Cruiserweight World Champion (184 lbs) |
1983 - WKA
Cruiserweight World Champion (190 lbs) |
1983 -
KICK Light-Heavyweight World Champion (175 lbs) |
1982 - WKC
Light-Heavyweight World Champion (175 lbs) |
1980 -
STAR Light-Heavyweight World Champion (175 lbs) |
1980 - WKA
Light-Heavyweight World Champion (175 lbs) |
1979 - PKA
Middleweight United States Champion (170 lbs) |
1978 - PKA
Middleweight Florida State Champion (170 lbs) |
AWARDS |
1988 -
STAR Fighter of the Year |
1985 -
STAR Fighter of the Year |
1984 -
STAR Fighter of the Year |
1984 -
STAR Career Champion: Highest Rated Kickboxer of All Time |
1984 -
Black Belt Hall of Fame |
1984 - Official Karate Hall of Fame |
1983 - Official Karate Magazine's Fighter of the Year |
FIGHTS |
Date |
Opponent |
Location |
Outcome |
1974 |
Dec. |
Bill
Knoblock |
Orlando,
FL |
NC-3 |
|
1975 |
May |
Ken
Broadway |
Melbourne,
FL |
KKO-3 |
Aug. |
Ben Green |
Melbourne,
FL |
DEC-5 |
Nov. |
Steve
Shepherd |
Miami, FL |
Loss by
Dec. |
|
1976 |
May 28 |
Rudy
Burney |
Tampa, FL |
NC-5 |
Sep. |
Herbie
Thompson |
Ft.
Lauderdale, FL |
NC-5 |
|
1977 |
Mar. |
Robert
Dillard |
Melbourne,
FL |
DEC-3 |
May |
John Sweet |
Miami, FL |
DEC-5 |
Jul. 18 |
Howard
Hayden |
W. Palm
Beach, FL |
DEC-5 |
Sep. 10 |
James
Sisco |
Miami, FL |
KKO-3 |
Oct. 08 |
Robert
Parris |
Melbourne,
FL |
DEC-7 |
|
1978 |
Apr. 08 |
Charlie
Jordan |
Miami, FL |
TKO-4 |
Sep. 23 |
Ted Pryor |
Ft.
Lauderdale, FL |
DEC-5 |
Oct. 20 |
Robert
Biggs |
W. Palm
Beach, FL |
Loss by
Dec. |
Nov. 18 |
Ron Harry |
Stuart, FL |
KO-1 |
Dec 02 |
Herb
Thompson |
Ft.
Lauderdale, FL |
DEC-7 |
Dec. |
Rick
Herranz |
W.
Palm Beach, FL |
KO-1 |
|
1979 |
Jan. 13 |
James
Sisco |
Bradenton,
FL |
TKO-4 |
Feb. 17 |
Rich Cook |
Stuart, FL |
DEC-7 |
Mar. 07 |
Ted Pryor |
W. Palm
Beach, FL |
DEC-7 |
May 26 |
Jeff
Gripper |
W. Palm
Beach, FL |
DEC-7 |
Jun. 09 |
Willie
Ruffin |
Miami, FL |
TKO-3 |
Jun. 23 |
Benny
Fernandez |
Bradenton,
FL |
TKO-1 |
Jul. |
Al Durr |
Orlando,
FL |
KO-3 |
Aug. |
John
Shields |
Bradenton,
FL |
TKO-2 |
Aug. |
Danny
Wedges |
W. Palm
Beach, FL |
KO-1 |
Sep. 15 |
Jimmy
Horsley |
Orlando,
FL |
TKO-7 |
Oct. 23 |
Willie
Ruffin |
Orlando,
FL |
TKO-5 |
Nov. 10 |
Steve
Mackey |
Orlando,
FL |
TDRAW-2 |
|
1980 |
Jan. |
Greg
Strong |
Miami, FL |
TKKO-7 |
Feb. 08 |
Larry
Poore |
W. Palm
Beach, FL |
TKO-7 |
Mar. 5 |
Glenn
McMorris |
W. Palm
Beach, FL |
Loss by
TKO-1 |
Apr. 14 |
Bernard
Clark |
Cocoa
Beach, FL |
TKO-6 |
May 20 |
Larry
Doggert |
Cocoa
Beach, FL |
KO-7 |
Jun. |
Steve
Mackey |
W. Palm
Beach, FL |
KO-1 |
Jul. 21 |
Rodney
Batiste |
Cocoa
Beach, FL |
DEC-10 |
Oct. 13 |
Andy White |
Cocoa
Beach, FL |
KO-2 |
Dec. 01 |
Larry
Lockhart |
Cocoa
Beach, FL |
TKO-4 |
|
1981 |
Feb. 10 |
Eddie
Dourant |
Ft.
Pierce, FL |
TKO-7 |
Mar. 10 |
Herb
Thompson |
Westchester, NY |
KO-8 |
Mar. 23 |
Greg Smith |
Cocoa
Beach, FL |
DEC-5 |
May 15 |
Larry
Nichols |
Ft.
Pierce, FL |
KKO-5 |
Jun. 24 |
Muhammed
Ashraf Tai |
Tokyo,
Japan |
KO-2 |
Jul. 25 |
Al Mims |
W. Palm
Beach, FL |
KO-3 |
Sep. 08 |
Panya
Sornnoi |
Hong Kong,
China |
SDEC-7 |
Oct. 24 |
Mark
Zatarotos |
Las Vegas,
NV |
KO-3 |
Dec. 07 |
Dennis
Downey |
Cocoa
Beach, FL |
TKO-7 |
|
1982 |
Feb. 08 |
James
Sisco |
Hong Kong,
China |
TKO-4 |
Apr. 08 |
Panya
Sornnoi |
Hong Kong,
China |
DEC-9 |
Sep. 04 |
James
Warring |
Tokyo,
Japan |
DEC-11 |
Nov. 06 |
Demetrius
Edwards |
W. Palm
Beach, FL |
DEC-9 |
|
1983 |
Mar. 19 |
James
Sisco |
Nassau,
Bahamas |
KO-2 |
Apr. 19 |
Curtis
Crandall |
Las Vegas,
NV |
TKO-11 |
May 21 |
Maurice
Smith |
Tokyo,
Japan |
DEC-11 |
Jul. 16 |
Steve
Valencia |
New York,
NY |
TKO-4 |
Aug. 19 |
Jarvis
Gradner |
Cocoa
Beach, FL |
DEC-9 |
Sep. 26 |
Pongdienoi
Prasobchai |
Hong Kong,
China |
TKO-4 |
Dec. 12 |
Samart
Parsanmit |
Bangkok,
Thailand |
Loss by
Dec. |
|
1984 |
Mar. 29 |
Dennis
Alexio |
Hollywood,
FL |
DEC-12 |
Sep. 05 |
Attapong
Buadan |
Hong Kong,
China |
DEC-7 |
Dec. 18 |
Jean-Yves
Theriault |
Montreal,
Canada |
DRAW |
|
1985 |
Nov. 10 |
Michael
Husbands |
Montreal,
Canada |
TKO-5 |
Dec. 06 |
CharlieArchie |
Miami, FL |
KKO-1 |
|
1986 |
Sep. 22 |
Rich Lopez |
Cocoa
Beach, FL |
KKO-5 |
|
1987 |
Jan. 19 |
Paul Ford |
Merrit
Island, FL |
TKO-6 |
Apr. 22 |
Roger Hurd |
Cocoa
Beach, FL |
TKO-4 |
Jun. 22 |
Art
Jimmerson |
Cocoa
Beach, FL |
KO-6 |
Sep. 12 |
Branimir
Cikatic |
Orlando,
FL |
KO-7 |
|
1988 |
Jul. 30 |
John
England |
Miami, FL |
TKO-4 |
Oct. 08 |
Rob
Salazar |
Lake
Tahoe, NV |
SDEC-12 |
|
1989 |
Mar. 18 |
Ferdinand
Mack |
Berlin,
Germany |
TKO-9 |
Apr. 13 |
Ken
Stranberg |
Goteborg,
Sweden |
DEC-5 |
Apr. 20 |
Keith
Wilson |
London,
England |
TKO-4 |
Jul. 03 |
Mike
Winkeljohn |
Costa
Mesa, CA |
TKO-10 |
Nov. 03 |
Marek
Piotrowski |
Chicago,
IL |
Loss by
1/2 pt. |
Nov. 27 |
Giuliano
Grillo |
Milan,
Italy |
TKO-2 |
Dec. 01 |
Maurizio
Curallo |
Rome,
Italy |
TKO-1 |
|
1990 |
Jul. 27 |
Yuleeb
Kazakov |
W. Palm
Beach, FL |
TKO-5 |
|
1991 |
Jan. 12 |
Ghalib
Carmichael |
Anaheim,
CA |
DEC-11 |
|
1999 |
May 14 |
Dick
Kimber |
Lowell, MA |
TKO-3 |
|
2000 |
Mar. 17 |
Dewey
Cooper |
Las Vegas,
NV |
DEC-10 |
|
|