Joe Lewis

Grand Master Joe Lewis has influenced me and my kung fu more than I realized. He came from the blood and guts era that included many legendary martial artists like Chuck Norris, Jim Harrison, Skipper Mullins, David Moon, Fred Wren, and JT Will. Now all these guys were ferocious fighters but for me Joe Lewis was always the meanest. I don’t mean “mean” in the cruel sense, I mean “mean” as in he did everything for keeps. I remember seeing a clip of him breaking David Moon’s and Fred Wren’s ribs in a “light contact” competition. I have always valued meanness as a black belt attribute because of Joe Lewis.

I can’t imagine anyone ever more confident than Joe Lewis, even now with him well into his 60’s. I swear he defeated many opponents before he even threw his first technique because of the sheer intimidation that was such a huge part of his arsenal. His two biggest competitive techniques were the back fist and the side kick. Everyone knew they were coming but seemed helpless to do anything about it.

It really shook me up when I learned of Grand Master Lewis’ diagnosis of brain cancer a couple of weeks ago. I can’t imagine him losing any fight, let alone this one. It’s unfortunate that it sometimes takes a crisis like this to mindfully recognize the influence someone has had on you. Thank you Grand Master Joe Lewis. I may not have become a martial artist, most definitely not the martial artist I am today, if it were not for you.

"I have always believed that one of the last strongholds of maintaining a non-violent society lies with the martial arts industry. Do I have a concluding point? Violence in any form implies a loss of self-control. It is of great importance that martial arts’ instructors reinforce those behavior codes that are about acquiring an attitude of self-control." - Joe Lewis (b. 1944)