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| Standardized Tournaments And Ratings System AUTHENTICATED KICKBOXING RECORD As of 1993 December 04 Revised: 2012 September 30
BENNY
“The Jet” URQUIDEZ Born: 20 June 1952 Citizenship: United
States Birthplace: Tarzana,
CA, USA Height: 5 foot 5½
inches (1.68 meters) Martial Arts
Background: Kenpo-Shotokan karate
judo boxing KICKBOXING RECORD | Total | Wins | Losses | Draws | No Contests | Knockouts | Kick-Knockouts | Undocumented Bouts *1 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 | Experimental Rules | 24 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 6 | International Rules | 20 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 3 | Full-Contact Rules | 11 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | STAR SUMMARY RECORD | 64 | 61 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 48 | 14 | Asian Rules | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Thai Rules | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | SUMMARY TOTALS | 67 | 62 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 49 | 14 | | | | RING STATISTICS | | Championship | Career | Qualifying Bouts | 36 | 67 | Rounds-Fought Average | 4.7 | 4.0 | Knockout Average | 63.9% | 73.1% | Kick-Knockout Average | 13.9% | 20.9% |
ORIGIN OF NICKNAME Dubbed “The Jet” by Darnel Garcia while he encouraged Benny from
the sidelines to throw jump kicks during a match at a 1972 karate tournament
held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. A year later, the Elton John
song “Benny and the Jets” was released and soon rose to number-one on the music
charts. The nickname Benny “The Jet”
stuck ever after. SPECIALTY FIGHTING SKILLS Spin back kick, left hook, right cross: machinegun
kick-punch combinations punctuated by jump kicks on the outside, bunches of
punches on the inside, and train engine pacing that begins gradually in the
early rounds but gains speed, power and pace as the bout progresses. KICKBOXING TITLES WKA Super
Welterweight World Champion (154 lbs / 69.9 kg – International) STAR Undisputed
Welterweight World Champion (147 lbs / 66.8 kg – Without Clinch-Fighting) WKA Welterweight
World Champion (147 lbs / 66.8 kg – International) MTBN Welterweight
World Champion (66 kg / 145.5 lbs – International) STAR Undisputed Super
Lightweight World Champion (140 lbs / 63.9 kg – Without Clinch-Fighting) WKA Super Lightweight
World Champion (142 lbs / 64.5 kg – Full-Contact, Experimental, International) PKA Lightweight World
Champion (145 lbs / 65.8 kg – Full-Contact) STAR Undisputed Super
Welterweight World Champion (154 lbs / 69.9 kg – Without Clinch-Fighting) NKL / IKL Lightweight
World Champion (155 lbs / 70.4 kg – Experimental) WPKO Lightweight
World Champion (145 lbs / 65.8 kg – Experimental) WSMAC Open Division
Champion (Catchweight – Experimental Mixed Martial Arts) WSMAC Lightweight
Champion (175 lbs / 79.5 kg – Experimental Mixed Martial Arts) AWARDS & HONORS 1999 Martial Arts
Hall of Fame (Martial ArtsOnline magazine, Martial Info.com) 1976-1984 STAR Career
Champion – Top-Rated Kickboxer of All Time (StarSystemKickboxing.net)
1978 Black Belt Hall
of Fame – Competitor of the Year (Black
Belt magazine) 1980 Kickboxing Hall
of Fame – Fighter of the Year (Official
Karate magazine) 1978 Kickboxing Hall
of Fame – Fighter of the Year (Official
Karate magazine) 1977 Kickboxing Hall
of Fame – Fighter of the Year (Official
Karate magazine) 1976 Kickboxing Hall
of Fame – Fighter of the Year (Official
Karate magazine) 1975 Kickboxing Hall
of Fame – Fighter of the Year (Official
Karate magazine) 1986 Kickboxing Hall
of Fame – Runner-Up Fighter of the Year (Official
Karate & American Karate magazines)
Date | Result | Weight | Opponent | Location | Method | Round | Sanction Rules | Promoter | Corroboration | W-L-D,KO,KKO | Titles – Notes | 1993
Dec 04 | WIN | 154 lbs | Yoshihisa
Tagami *2 (田上敬久) | “The
Legend’s Final Challenge” Mirage
Hotel & Casino Las
Vegas, NV, USA | SPLIT DECISION | 12 | WKA International | Blinky
Rodriguez | S | videotaped 18,19,20, 38,39 | 53-1-2,40,10 | Re-establishes Vacant WKA Super Welterweight World
Title Vacates WKA Super Welterweight World Title | 1989
Aug 24 | DRAW: M-WIN | 150 lbs | Shinya
Asuka*3 (飛鳥信也) | “Super
Powers Clash” Tokyo
Dome Tokyo,
JAPAN | NO-DECISION DRAW | 5 | NJPW Asian | Seiji
Sakaguchi | S | 1,31,33,40 | 52-1-2,40,10 | 1985
Nov 16 | WIN | 147 lbs | Tom
Larouche | Northridge,
CA, USA | DECISION | 12 | WKA International | Ruben
Urquidez | S | 1,29 | 52-1-1,40,10 | Re-establishes Vacant WKA Welterweight World Title STAR recognition as Undisputed Welterweight World Champion Vacates WKA Super Lightweight World Title Vacates WKA Welterweight World Title | 1984
Jan 15 | WIN | 145.5 lbs 66 kg | Iwan
“The Tank” Sprang | Jaap
Edenhal Amsterdam,
NETHERLANDS | TKO (stopped) | 5 (3:44) | MTBN International | Thom
Harinck | S | 1,10 | 51-1-1,40,10 | Wins MTBN Welterweight World Title | 1983
Sep 12 | WIN | 142 lbs | “Iron”
Fujimoto (アイアン藤本) | Korakuen
Hall Tokyo,
JAPAN | KO | 6 (1:37) | WKA International | All
Japan Promotion Co. | S | Ashai-TV Video
1 41 | 50-1-1,39,10 | Retains WKA Super Lightweight World Title – 16th
Defense | 1983
Jan 08 | WIN | 142 lbs | Kunimasa
Nagae (長江国政) | Tokyo,
JAPAN | KO | 4 | WKA International | All
Japan Promotion Co. | S | Ashai-
TV 42,43 | 49-1-1,38,10 | Retains WKA Super Lightweight World Title – 15th
Defense | 1982
Jun 21 | WIN | 142 lbs | Yutaka
Koshikawa (越川豊) | Vancouver,
BC, CANADA | KICK-KO (spin back kick) | 6 (1:48) | WKA International | Cliff
Loree | S | CBC-TV 44 Video
1, 2 | 48-1-1,37,10 | Retains WKA Super Lightweight World Title – 14th
Defense | 1982
Feb 02 | WIN | 154 lbs | Jesse
Orrozzo | Queen
Elizabeth Stadium British
Hong Kong, CHINA | DECISION | 6 | WKA International | Russell
Choi Reno
Lam Simon
Hung | S | TVB-TV | 47-1-1,36,9 | 1981
Apr 09 | WIN | 142 lbs | Kong
Fu Tak *4 | Queen
Elizabeth Stadium British
Hong Kong, CHINA | KICK-TKO (cut) | 4 | WKA International | Russell
Choi Reno
Lam Simon
Hung | S | TVB-TV 10,11 Video
3 | 46-1-1,36,9 | Retains WKA Super Lightweight World Title – 13th
Defense | 1980
Nov | WIN | None | Unreported
#13 *5 (Chinese) | British
Hong Kong, CHINA | KO (body) | 4 | NONE Thai | Unreported | | 3,10,52 | 45-1-1,35,8 | Private Underground Event, STAR Excludes from
STAR-rated Kickboxing Ratings | 1980
Aug 09 | NC | 154 lbs | Billye
Jackson *6 | West
Palm Beach Auditorium West
Palm Beach, FL, USA | NO CONTEST | 7 | WKA Full-Contact | Richard
Stacey | S | 10,14,17, 27
Video
4 | 44-1-1,34,8 | WKA Ruling Transmutes Outcome to No-Contest | 1980
Apr 19 | WIN | 142 lbs | Frank
Holloway *7 | Vancouver,
BC, CANADA | DECISION | 9 | WKA International | Mike
Gorval | S | USA
Cable-TV | 44-1-1,34,8 | Retains WKA Super Lightweight World Title – 12th
Defense | 1980
Jan 26 | WIN | 142 lbs | Shinobu
Onuki (大貫忍) | Tropicana
Casino Hotel Las
Vegas, NV, USA | KO (left hook) | 7 | WKA International | Howard
Hanson | S | NBC-TV 2,5,12,45 Video
7 | 43-1-1,34,8 | Retains WKA Super Lightweight World Title – 11th
Defense | 1979 | WIN | 142 lbs | Unreported
#12 (Mexican)
| Tijuana,
BJ, MEXICO | KO | 4 | WKA International | Angel
Gutierrez | | 2 | 42-1-1,33,8 | 1979
Oct 01 | WIN | 142 lbs | Yoshimitsu
Tamashiro (玉城良光) | Tokyo,
JAPAN | DECISION | 9 | WKA AJKBA International | Tatsumi
Okamura | S | Ashai-
TV 2,5,46
Video
1 | 41-1-1,32,8 | Retains WKA Super Lightweight World Title – 10th
Defense | 1979
Sep 14 | WIN | 142 lbs | Frank
Holloway | Ensenada,
BJ, MEXICO | DECISION | 9 | WKA International | Angel
Gutierrez | S | 2,3 | 40-1-1,32,8 | Retains WKA Super Lightweight World Title – 9th Defense | 1979 | WIN | 142 lbs | Unreported
#11 (Thai)
| Tijuana,
BJ, MEXICO | KO | 2 | WKA International | Angel
Gutierrez | | 2 | 39-1-1,32,8 | 1979
Jul 05 | WIN | 142 lbs | Unreported
#10 (Canadian) | Northland
Pavillion Edmonton,
AB, CANADA | KO | | WKA International | Frank
Lee | | 2 | 38-1-1,31,8 | 1979
May 26 | WIN | 145 lbs | Mike
Hollobaugh | West
Palm Beach Auditorium West
Palm Beach, FL, USA | KO (takedown injury) | 1 | WKA International | Don
Haynes, Steve
Shepherd | | 53 | 37-1-1,30,8 | 1979
May 02 | WIN | 142 lbs | Rick
Simerly | South
Lake Tahoe, NV, USA | KO | 6 | WKA International | Howard
Hanson | S | NBC-TV 2,5,36 | 36-1-1,29,8 | Retains WKA Super Lightweight World Title – 8th Defense (PKA Lightweight World Title Vacated by Sanction in
August 1978) | 1978
Aug 02 | LOSS | None | Prayud
Sittiboonlert (Prayout
Srisontob - ประยุทธสิทธิบุญเลิศ) *8 | Denen
Coliseum Tokyo,
JAPAN | DEC | 6 | NCSF Asian | Kenji
Kurosaki | S | 1,6,13,26, 49
Video
6,8 | 35-1-1,28,8 | STAR Classifies Bout as Modified Muay Thai, Excludes
from STAR-Rated Kickboxing Ratings | 1978
Apr 29 | WIN | 142 lbs | Shinobu
Onuki *9 (大貫忍) | Tokyo,
JAPAN | TKO (injury) | 3 (1:17) | WKA AJKBA Experimental | Tatsumi
Okamura | S | Ashai-
TV 2,5,6,45 Video
10,15 | 35-0-1,28,8 | Retains WKA Super Lightweight World Title – 7th Defense AJKBA Ruling Transmutes Disqualification to No-Contest WKA Ruling Transmutes No-Contest to TKO upon Merger
with AJKBA | 1978
Feb 04 | EXB | None | Frank
Lee | Edmonton,
AB, CANADA | EXHIBITION | 2 | WKA International | Frank
Lee | S | | 34-0-1,27,8 | 1978
Apr 10 | WIN | 142 lbs | Takeshi
Naito *10 (内藤武) | Osaka,
JAPAN | KICK-KO (jump spin back
kick) | 1 (1:16) | NCSF Experimental | Kenji
Kurosaki | S | 1,3,5,47 Video
8,10 | 34-0-1,27,8 | 1978
Apr 5 | WIN | 142 lbs | Dave
Paul | Vancouver,
BC, CANADA | TKO | 4 | WKA International | Jim
Wright | S | 2,5,6 | 33-0-1,26,7 | Retains WKA Super Lightweight World Title – 6th Defense | 1977
Nov 14 | WIN | 142 lbs | Kunimatsu
Okao *11 (岡尾国光) | “The
Great War in Martial Arts” Nippon
Budokan Hall Tokyo,
JAPAN | KO | 4 (1:31) | WKA AJKBA Experimental | Tatsumi
Okamura, Ikki Kajiwara | S | Ashai-TV 2,5,9,10, 12,48 Video 1, 9, 10 | 32-0-1,25,7 | Retains WKA Super Lightweight World Title – 5th Defense | 1977
Aug 02 | WIN | 142 lbs | Katsuyuki
Suzuki *12 (鈴木勝幸) | “Real
World Martial Arts Championship” Nippon
Budokan Hall Tokyo,
JAPAN | KO (left hook) | 6 | WKA AJKBA (NJPW) Experimental | Kanji
“Antonio” Inoki, Tatsumi
Okamura | S | 2,3,5,10, 12,31,32, 49,50 Video
1,9, 10 | 31-0-1,24,7 | Retains WKA Super Lightweight World Title – 4th Defense WKA Renames Weight Division STAR Historic Recognition as Undisputed Super
Lightweight World Champion | 1977
Jul | WIN | 145 lbs | Unreported
#9 (Mexican) | Tijuana,
BC, MEXICO | KICK-KO | 1 | WKA International | Angel
Gutierrez | | 2 | 30-0-1,23,7 | Retains WKA Lightweight World Title – 3rd Defense | 1977
Apr 23 | WIN | 145 lbs | Howard
Jackson | Hilton
Hotel Casino Las
Vegas, NV, USA | TKO (stopped) | 4 (1:26) | PKA Full-Contact | Don
& Judy Quine | S | CBS-TV 5,10 Video
1,11 | 29-0-1,22,6 | Retains PKA Lightweight World Title – 2nd Defense | 1977
Mar 12 | NC | 145 lbs | Narongnoi
Kiatbandit
*13 | Grand
Olympic Auditorium Los
Angeles, CA, USA | NC | 9 | WKA International | Howard
Hanson, Arnold
Urquidez | S | 2,3,5,10, 12,28
Video
5 | 28-0-1,21,6 | WKA Lightweight World Title Bout – 1st Defense First Official WKA Sanctioned Event WKA Ruling Accepts California Athletic Commission’s
No-Contest Declaration | 1976
Oct 01 | WIN | 145 lbs | Eddie
Andujar | Los
Angeles, CA, USA | TKO | 8 | PKA (WKA) Full-Contact | Howard
Hanson, Don
& Judy Quine | S | CBS-TV 2 | 28-0-1,21,6 | Retains PKA Lightweight World Title – 1st Defense WKA Founded Immediately after Event by Principal
Promoter, Recognizes as WKA Lightweight World Champion | 1976
Aug 28 | WIN | 145 lbs | Earnest
Hart, Jr. | Neal
Blaisdell Center Honolulu,
HI, USA | DECISION | 9 | PKA Full-Contact | Howard
Hanson, Don
& Judy Quine | S | CBS-TV 6,10,12 | 27-0-1,20,6 | Re-establishes Vacant PKA Lightweight World Title | 1976 | WIN | 155 lbs | Unreported
#8 (Thai) | Tijuana,
BJ, MEXICO | KICK-KO | 3 | NONE Full-Contact | Angel
Gutierrez | | 2 | 26-0-1,20,6 | 1976
Jun | WIN | 155 lbs | Sanun
Plypoolsup | Dallas,
TX, USA | DEC | 8 | NONE Full-Contact | Unreported | | 5,6,30 | 25-0-1,19,5 | 1976
Feb 14 | DRAW | 155 lbs | Earnest
Hart, Jr. *14 | Grand
Olympic Auditorium Los
Angeles, CA, USA | TDRAW (cut) | 1 | USCKC Full-Contact | Arnold
Urquidez, Howard Hanson | S | 2,10,37 | 24-0-1,19,5 | USCKC Lightweight Title Bout | 1976 | WIN | 155 lbs | Unreported
#7 (American) | Detroit,
MI, USA | KO | 1 | IKL Experimental | Valerie
Williams | | 6 | 24-0-0,19,5 | Retains IKL / NKL Lightweight World Title – 8th Defense | 1975
Dec | WIN | 155 lbs | Unreported
#6 *15 (American) | Detroit,
MI, USA | KO | 2 | NKL (IKL) Experimental | Valerie
Williams | S | NBC-TV, ABC-TV
34 | 23-0-0,18,5 | Retains IKL / NKL Lightweight World Title – 7th Defense IKL Ruling / STAR Finding transmutes disqualification | 1975
Oct 11 | WIN | 155 lbs | Unreported
#5 (American) | Los
Angeles, CA, USA | KO | 3 | NONE Full-Contact | Unreported | | 2 | 22-0-0,17,5 | 1975
Sep 21 | WIN | 160 lbs | Randy
Sojot | Honolulu
International Center Arena Honolulu,
HI, USA | TKO | 3 | NONE Full-Contact | Howard
Hanson, Mike Stone, Henry Awau | S | 2,12 | 21-0-0,16,5 | 1975
Aug | WIN | 155 lbs | Marcelino
Torres | San
Juan, PR, USA | KO | 1 (0:29) | NKL Experimental | Unreported | | 10 | 20-0-0,15,5 | Retains NKL Lightweight World Title – 5th Defense | 1975
Jul | WIN | 155 lbs | Sammy
Pace | Los
Angeles, CA, USA | KO | 1 | NKL Experimental | Chuck
Norris | | 6 | 19-0-0,14,5 | Retains NKL Lightweight World Title – 4th Defense | 1975
Jun 28 | WIN | 155 lbs | Eddie
Andujar | LA
Stars vs. NY Puppets Los
Angeles Sports Arena Los
Angeles, CA, USA | DECISION | 3 | NKL Experimental | Chuck
Norris | | 6,35 | 18-0-0,13,5 | Retains NKL Lightweight World Title – 3rd Defense | 1975
Jun 21 | WIN | 175 lbs | Burnis
White | Honolulu
International Center Honolulu,
HI, USA | TKO (toe injury) | 2 | WSMAC Experimental | Tommy
Lee Marty
Mains | S | 8,22 | 17-0-0,13,5 | Retains WSMAC Lightweight Title – 3rd Championship | 1975
Jun 21 | WIN | 175 lbs | Sanun
Plypoolsup | Honolulu
International Center Honolulu,
HI, USA | TKO (cut) | 2 | WSMAC Experimental | Tommy
Lee Marty
Mains | S | 5,8,22 | 16-0-0,12,5 | 1975
May 30 | WIN | 155 lbs | Ken
Riley | Oakland,
CA, USA | KO | 2 | NONE Experimental | Unreported | S | 5 | 15-0-0,11,5 | 1975
May 16 | WIN | 175 lbs | Bill
Henderson *16 | Los
Angeles Sports Arena Los
Angeles, CA, USA | TKO (quits) | 3 (0:28) | WSMAC Experimental | Tommy
Lee Marty
Mains | S | NBC-TV 5,8,21,22 Video
12 | 14-0-0,10,5 | Retains WSMAC Lightweight Title – 2nd Championship | 1975
May 16 | WIN | 175 lbs | Roland
Talton | Los
Angeles Sports Arena Los
Angeles, CA, USA | KICK-KO (knee as uppercut) | 2 (2:04) | WSMAC Experimental | Tommy
Lee Marty
Mains | S | 5,8,22 Video
13 | 13-0-0,9,5 | 1975
May 10 | WIN | 145 lbs | Tayari
Casel *17 | Nassau
Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum New
York, NY, USA | DECISION | 3 | WPKO Experimental | Aaron
Banks Bob
Arum | S | ABC-TV 3,5,23,24 | 12-0-0,8,4 | Establishes WPKO Lightweight World Title | 1975
Mar | WIN | 155 lbs | Demetrius
“The Greek” Havanas *18 | Tarrant
County Convention Center Ft.
Worth, TX, USA | DECISION | 3 | NKL Experimental | Unreported | S | 5,16,25 | 11-0-0,8,4 | Retains NKL Lightweight World Title – 2nd Defense | 1975
Mar | WIN | 155 lbs | Unreported
#3 (American) | Atlanta,
GA, USA | KICK-KO | 2 | NKL Experimental | Unreported | S | 6 | 10-0-0,8,4 | Retains NKL Lightweight World Title – 1st Defense | 1975
Mar | WIN | 145 lbs | Ken
Kolodziej | Milwaukee,
WI, USA | KICK-KO (knee) | 4 | NONE Experimental | Dan
Schroeder | S | 6 | 9-0-0,7,3 | 1975
Feb | WIN | 155 lbs | Butch
Bell *19 | Savanah,
GA, USA | TKO | 2 | NKL Experimental | Chuck
Norris, Arnold Urquidez | S | 3,5,10,51 | 8-0-0,6,2 | Establishes NKL Lightweight World Title STAR Historic Recognition as Undisputed Super
Welterweight World Champion | 1974
Nov 15 | WIN | Unlimited | Dana
Goodson *20 | Honolulu
International Center Honolulu,
HI, USA | DECISION | 3 | WSMAC Experimental | Tommy
Lee Marty
Mains | S | 3,4,5,7,8, 10,12,15 Video
14 | 7-0-0,5,2 | Establishes WSMAC Open Division Title | 1974
Nov 15 | WIN | Lightweight | Burnis
White | Honolulu
International Center Honolulu,
HI, USA | DECISION | 3 | WSMAC Experimental | Tommy
Lee Marty
Mains | S | 3,7,8,10 | 6-0-0,5,2 | Establishes WSMAC Lightweight Title | 1974
Nov 14 | WIN | Lightweight | Bill
Rosehill | Honolulu
International Center Honolulu,
HI, USA | TKO (quit) | 3 | WSMAC Experimental | Tommy
Lee Marty
Mains | S | 7,8,10 | 5-0-0,5,2 | 1974
Nov 14 | WIN | Lightweight | Futi
Semanu | Honolulu
International Center Honolulu,
HI, USA | KO | 2 | WSMAC Experimental | Tommy
Lee Marty
Mains | S | 7,8,10 | 4-0-0,4,2 | 1974
Nov 14 | WIN | Lightweight | “Ironman”
Tom Mossman | Honolulu
International Center Honolulu,
HI, USA | KICK-KO (footsweep) | 3 | WSMAC Experimental | Tommy
Lee Marty
Mains | S | 7,8,10 | 3-0-0,3,2 | 1974
Nov 14 | WIN | Lightweight | Unreported
#2 **21 (American) | Honolulu
International Center Honolulu,
HI, USA | KICK-TKO | 2 | WSMAC Experimental | Tommy
Lee Marty
Mains | | 7,30 | 2-0-0,2,1 | 1974
Nov 14 | WIN | Lightweight | Unreported
#1 *21 (American) | Honolulu
International Center Honolulu,
HI, USA | KO | 2 | WSMAC Experimental | Tommy
Lee Marty
Mains | | 7,30 | 1-0-0,1,0 | | LEGEND | 
| KICKBOXING Any
stand-up combative sport where competitors fight with kicks and punches for a
knockout or multi-judge decision over scheduled rounds divided by rest
periods. Throughout the 1980s, the STAR System World Kickboxing Ratings
strictly distinguished between kickboxing which prohibited clinch-fighting
and muay Thai which permitted clinch-fighting. STAR regarded kickboxing and
muay Thai as different sports. Since that era, combative sports have become
more broadly divided between kickboxing and mixed martial arts. Sanctioning
bodies have embraced competition and established kickboxing titles under
multiple rule formats. For the sake of the historic record, all prominent
rule formats have been indicated within ring record compilations. | | Predominant Kickboxing Rule Formats |
Without Clinch-Fighting | INTERNATIONAL – low kicks and footsweeps allowed, no
clinch-fighting, no throws (i.e. freestyle, boxe française-savate, WKA style) | FULL-CONTACT – no striking below the waist, no
clinch-fighting, no throws, minimum or continual kick requirement (i.e.
full-contact karate, American kickboxing, PKA style) | |
Clinch-Fighting Optional | EXPERIMENTAL – variable rule schemes from the early formative
period of kickboxing (i.e. USKA, WSMAC, NKL), or special negotiated rules to
enable a mix-match between contestants from otherwise different combative sports
(i.e. kickboxer versus muay Thai fighter) | | With Clinch-Fighting | ASIAN – low kicks and sweeps allowed, knees to body and legs allowed,
limited clinch-fighting allowed, no throws (i.e. K-1, modified muay Thai,
muay Euro, Japanese kick-boxing) | CHINESE – low kicks and sweeps allowed, knees to body and legs allowed,
limited clinch-fighting allowed, throws and takedowns allowed (i.e. san shou,
sanda) | THAI – low kicks allowed, knee and elbow strikes allowed, clinch-fighting
permitted, no throws, scoring based on classic techniques (i.e. muay Thai,
Thai boxing) | | Sanctioning Groups | Official Outcomes | AJKBA – All Japan
Kick-Boxing Association (全日本キックボクシング協会) | DECISION – three judges
score for the winner | MAJORITY DECISION – two judges
score for the winner, one even | NCSF – New Combative
Sports Federation (Shin-Kakutogi Federation – 新格闘術連盟) | SPLIT DECISION – two judges
score for the winner | DRAW – the judges
score for both contestants evenly | MTBN – Muay Thai Bond
Nederland (Netherlands Muay Thai Union) | MAJORITY DRAW – two judges
score evenly | NJPW – New Japan
Pro-Wrestling (Shin Nihon Puroresu – 新日本プロレス) | SPLIT DRAW – one judge
scores for each contestant, one even | TDRAW – technical draw
(fight stopped without basis for a decision) | NKL / IKL– National Karate League (became International
Karate League) | KO – knockout | KICK-KO (KKO) – kick-knockout | NONE – Independent
promotion or smaller startup sanctioning group | KICK-TKO(TKKO) – technical kick-knockout | PKA – Professional
Karate Association | TKO – technical
knockout | STAR – Standardized
Tournaments And Ratings System | NO-CONTEST – outcome
officially set aside | USCKC – United States
Contact Karate Championships | NO-DECISION – competitive
bout conducted without judges | WKA – World
Kickboxing Association | M-WIN – official draw
or no-decision in which the contemporaneous media sports reporters express a
dominant opinion about who won | WPKO – World
Professional Karate Organization | WSMAC – World Series
of the Marital Arts Championships | |
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STAR Equalization Findings For
purposes of world-rated kickboxing competition and record keeping, STAR equalization
findings differentiated between amateur and professional bouts, excluded bouts
from other related combative sports (boxing, muay Thai, grappling), as well as
arbitrated any peculiarities that occurred in the early and unruly era of
kickboxing’s rapidly changing rules and uneven standards for fair competition. The
STAR System had no interest in
advancing one competitor over another and never interfered with a competitor’s
official kickboxing record beyond the aforementioned distinctions. *1 | Undocumented Bouts:
The STAR authenticated kickboxing record for Benny Urquidez documents all
professional bouts for which some evidence could be located, while excluding
any transitional pro-karate tournaments. The summary record count also
includes 9 undocumented bouts which, based on the testimonials of WKA
President Howard Hanson, STAR Administrator Paul Maslak, and Urquidez’s
brothers and managers, STAR believes also occurred. | *2 | Urquidez v Tagami:
Despite a severe training injury to his left wrist, Urquidez refused to
reschedule this bout. During the match, Urquidez slipped in round two, but
continued to press the action in every round against an opponent who would
not back down. Urquidez compensated for his diminished left hook with
superior kicking attacks, edging out Tagami in most rounds. Tagami scored a
flash-knockdown in round nine but, otherwise, neither contestant was hurt or
ever in serious trouble. Fred Royers, the Japanese-requested judge and a
former WKA world champion from Netherlands, scored the fight 116-113 for
Urquidez. Judge Dayle Baykey, a WKA women’s champion from BC, Canada, scored
the fight 115-113 for Tagami. The final judge scored the fight 114-113 for
Urquidez. At ringside, former world champions Bill “Superfoot” Wallace and
Kathy Long thought the bout was close enough to be called a draw; whereas
recently-retired world champion Don “The Dragon” Wilson, after reviewing the
videotape as color commentator, concluded that Urquidez had won convincingly. | *3 | Urquidez v Asuka: 53,600 spectators. This non-title
no-decision bout was promoted by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), the group
that originally helped introduce American kickboxers to Japan. Rules followed
the Asian format: no throws, no elbows, but limited clinch-fighting permitted
using knees strikes to the body. The NJPW reports the contestants fought for
a knockout or draw; no judges. Shinya
Asuka is sometimes translated into English as Nobuya Asuka, a variation of
the same name Shinya. | *4 | Urquidez v Kong: This world title bout was contested under
WKA rules but on an open mat rather than within a roped ring. | *5 | Urquidez v
Unreported #13: During a promotional tour after filming Force: Five, “The Jet” accepted a
challenge match from a promoter sitting in the live audience of a TV talk
show in Hong Kong: $20,000 plus a mink coat for his wife for unlimited rounds
until someone wins. The next day, after payment was received at his hotel,
Urquidez showed up inside an old cockfighting arena for gambling where his
Chinese opponent shouted, “To the death!” before charging him using classic
muay Thai techniques. Urquidez defeated him with a brutal fourth-round
knockout. Because this bout was conducted without specific rules,
officials, sanctioning authority or media coverage, and under circumstances
that encouraged striking-while-holding, the STAR System
disregarded this bout in its STAR kickboxing ratings and STAR summary record
count for Urquidez. | *6 | Urquidez v Billye Jackson: 2,000 spectators. In March 1986, the WKA
governing authority declared this WKA non-title bout to be a no-contest owing
to uneven glove assignments and a coerced last-minute rule modification that
unfairly impacted Urquidez’s performance in an otherwise close contest. The STAR System authenticated this ruling
directly with the WKA when it occurred.
This bout has
been the subject of much persistent controversy: Present at the live event were WKA
President Howard Hanson, PKA/WKA promoter Jim Wilson, future WKA champion Don
“The Dragon” Wilson, then-WKA world champion Graciela “The Goddess” Casillas,
and STAR Chief Administrator Paul Maslak.
Billye Jackson was a last-minute substitute for scheduled opponent
Glen Mehlmen in the main event bout. The STAR ratings chief personally
witnessed the official weigh-in when Mr. Jackson’s representatives first
announced that they would not allow Jackson to step into the ring unless
Urquidez agreed to give up the WKA-allowed “leg kicks”. Under duress and out of a sense of
financial obligation to the promoter, Urquidez very reluctantly acquiesced. During the bout, Urquidez gave away the
first three rounds as was his custom. Jackson won the fourth round outright,
even scoring a flash knockdown.
Urquidez, however, was visibly impacted by the coerced promise to
withhold low kicks. The flash knockdown occurred right after Urquidez started
a combination that included a low kick. Urquidez stopped in mid-kick, leaving
himself off balance and vulnerable to the flash knockdown. The low kick disorientation
clearly affected Urquidez on a few other occasions over the multiple rounds.
The fifth round was even. Urquidez then unleashed a non-stop hurricane of
powerful kicking and punching combinations for the next two rounds, winning
both by a wide margin. The physical fight was close, although Jackson was
announced the winner. Upon cutting the
tape over the glove laces, the local WKA representative at the event
discovered that Jackson and Urquidez were not using the same gloves. Jackson
had worn his own better "knockout" Casanova gloves; Urquidez wore
the softer Reyes gloves provided by the promoter. Urquidez's management
immediately protested the decision to the WKA on the basis of: a) the last-minute substitute of a tougher
opponent, b) the last-minute heavier weight limit, c) the unequal gloves and
d) the last-minute prohibition against WKA-allowed low kicks. At the time,
the WKA executive officers were feuding with Urquidez’s manager over
unrelated business matters and flatly refused to arbitrate their protest. The
STAR ratings carried the loss on Mr. Urquidez's record for more than five
years. Eventually the
WKA agreed to review the long-pending Urquidez protest and transmuted the
decision owing to uneven glove assignments and the last-minute rule change.
The WKA provided both Mr. Urquidez and Mr. Jackson with written confirmation
of this ruling. The STAR System was also copied on the ruling as the WKA’s
official rankings source. | *7 | Urquidez v
Holloway-2: 8,000 spectators. | *8 | Urquidez v Prayud Sittiboonlert
(ประยุทธสิทธิบุญเลิศ): 5,000 spectators:
Upon viewing video footage, the STAR System determined that clinch-fighting
dominated the competition and classified this bout as modified muay Thai as
opposed to STAR-rated kickboxing competition. Urquidez’s management alleged
that when Urquidez’s scheduled opponent cancelled on short notice, Urquidez
agreed to perform a no-decision bout against a Thai middleweight under the
New Combative Sports Federation’s Shin Kakuto Jutsu (“New Fighting Art”)
rules. At the end of the bout, a non-title points decision was awarded to
Prayud Sittiboonlert (aka Prayout Srisontob in Japanese). In 1981, the NCSF group was among the many Japanese sanctioning groups
disbanded in the wake of an unrelated Yakuza scandal. Nevertheless, because the bout was
conducted under rules that focused on striking-while-holding, the STAR System
disregarded this bout in its kickboxing ratings. Further, because of the
weight discrepancy as well an initial appearance of a possible manufactured outcome,
STAR removed this bout from Urquidez’s STAR summary record count, although
continued to show the bout on the STAR detailed record. (At the time of this bout, the New
Combative Sports Federation was known in English as Kakutogi, sometimes incorrectly shortened to Katogi, which actually means “combat sports” or more recently
“mixed martial arts”.) | *9 | Urquidez v Onuki-1: This bout concluded when Onuki dislocated
his shoulder from a throw by Urquidez. Urquidez was responding to a perceived
attempt at a chokehold by Onuki. Judo throws, however, were illegal under
Japanese rules though they were thought legal by the Americans under the
mixed-rules for the bout. Urquidez was disqualified at the time of the bout.
Under protest, given that “Tiger Mask” Saturo Sayama had been permitted to
use every imaginable pro-wrestling throw in his bout against Marc Costello,
the AJKBA then transmuted the disqualification to a no-contest. Afterwards, for all future international
title bouts, the Americans agreed to give up throws and the Japanese agreed
to give up clinch-fighting. This understanding solidified the so-called International Rules pioneered by the
WKA. In October 1981, when the AJKBA merged with the WKA, the WKA officially
transmuted this disqualification to a TKO victory for Urquidez. | *10 | Urquidez v Naito: Takeshi Naito’s real name is Shinichi Miyakoshi (宮越真). | *11 | Urquidez v Okao: 14,500 spectators. This event was
appropriately billed as “The Great War in Martial Arts” (Kakutōgi Daisensō). After
sustaining the hardest knockdown of his career from Okao’s right cross,
Urquidez rose to his feet and retaliated against Okao with the longest
continuous kick-and-punch combination in the sport’s championship history,
ending with an unambiguous knockout victory for Urquidez. At the end of his
career, Urquidez acknowledged that Okao had been his most dangerous opponent
owing to his sledgehammer punching power, his ability to absorb punishment,
and his relentless fighting spirit. One of the Japanese event promoters was
Ikki Kajiwara, better-known in Japan as the famous manga author and filmmaker
Asao Takamori. The bout inspired Kajiwara to create a local graphic novel (manga)
series that featured a fictionalized Benny “The Jet” Urquidez as its
protagonist. | *12 | Urquidez v Suzuki (鈴木勝幸): 10,000 spectators; this bout was the
semi-main event on the “Antonio” Kanji Inoki versus “Monster Man” Everett
Eddy Real World Martial Arts Championship (wrestling-karate mix-match). For
the Urquidez v Suzuki kickboxing match, compromise mixed-rules allowed knees
to the body and low kicks but restricted clinch-fighting. Urquidez delighted
the Japanese public with an unexpected knockout victory, launching his fad
popularity. | *13 | Urquidez v Narongnoi
Kiatbandit: In the final round, a
riot broke out in the audience among Thai spectators when Narongnoi Kiatbandit
was penalized for fouls. The California State Athletic Commission halted the
proceedings and declared a no-contest outcome. The WKA officially accepted the
Athletic Commission’s determination. When the STAR System verified this
outcome in 1981, ringside judge Tom Schlesinger (later a WKA referee) as well
as event promoter WKA President Howard Hanson separately reported that the
fight was physically closer than the scores should have indicated and might
have gone either way save for the two flash knockdowns and five throws scored
by Urquidez, as well as for the foul deduction assessed to Kiatbandit.
Narongnoi Kiatbandit was warned for knee and groin kicks in rounds 4, 5, 7
and 8. Referee Joey Orbillo, a retired heavyweight boxer, could have assessed
penalties on each of those occasions but showed leniency owing to the
unaccustomed rules for Kiatbandit as well as his own unfamiliarity with Thai
fighting techniques: This bout was the first time a major American kickboxing
champion encountered low kicks that targeted the thighs and groin or illegal
hold-and-strike knee attacks. Most American competitors wore shin pads
underneath their long pants. Nevertheless, according to Karate Illustrated magazine (August 1977), Urquidez was ahead in
the fight going into the final round by a score of 113-110. A point deduction
was finally assessed against Narongnoi in round 9 shortly before Narongnoi
scored his only flash knockdown. Disruptive audience members then invaded the
ring and halted the bout before the round concluded. (After this bout,
Urquidez’s record was reported as 30-0-2 with 25 KOs.) | *14 | Urquidez v Hart-1: Hart suffered a cut lip resulting from a
legal throw in the first round.
Following the three-punch rule fiasco in Detroit with Urquidez v
Unreported #6, this event was the first in California promoted inside a
boxing ring and without the three-punch rule. | *15 | Urquidez v
Unreported #6: The rules at the
time required one kick for every three punches. Urquidez was disqualified for
knocking out his opponent with a fourth punch. This outrageous ruling, that
awarded a victory to Urquidez’ knocked out opponent, received national
exposure through the tabloid news show “Weekend” on NBC-TV and “ABC Sports
Report” on ABC-TV’s Wide World of
Sports. The bout’s referee had been the opponent’s martial arts
instructor. The opponent’s name has faded into history. This embarrassment to
the new sport put further television coverage at risk, provoked interest in
regulating the sport by several state athletic commissions, and motivated
Chuck Norris to expel the president of the National Karate League (NKL) and
reform as the short-lived International Karate League (IKL). An IKL action,
as well as a subsequent STAR Finding, transmuted this disqualification into a
KO victory for Urquidez. | *16 | Urquidez v
Henderson: WSMAC competition was conducted inside a boxing ring with
competitors wearing Safe-T-Equipment. Footsweeps, throws and pins were
permitted. Henderson was trained by Sil Lum kung-fu sifu Douglas Wong.
Urquidez was awarded a $3,000 championship prize. The fight aired on NBC-TV’s
“The Champions”. | *17 | Urquidez v Casel:
5,000 spectators; televised on ABC-TV’s “Wide World of Sports” with color
commentary by Frank Gifford and Ed Parker; originally scheduled for Madison
Square Garden was moved to the Nassau Coliseum. Peculiar title bout in which
kung-fu stylist Casel attempted to fight Urquidez from the ground, eventually
receiving warnings by the referee for failing to engage. Once on his feet
Casel engaged Urquidez aggressively, though Urquidez narrowly dominated.
Casel later protested that, though allowed under the rules, his
groundfighting tactics were not appropriately respected by the referee. | *18 | Urquidez v Havanas:
5,000 spectators. Hard fought battle between two aggressive fighters with
good punching and good kicking. Havanas tended to kick higher and faster but
with less power. Urquidez won round 1, Havanas round 2 and Urquidez round 3.
Final score: 42-39 for Urquidez. (Before this bout, press coverage reported
Urquidez with 5 knockout victories in the National Karate League, 2 more
victories than his STAR record presently details.) | *19 | Urquidez v Bell:
NKL rules prohibited cling-fighting but included throws, footsweeps and no
more than three consecutive punches without a kick. Urquidez counted Butch
Bell among the most difficult opponents of his long career owing to his great
punching power. | *20 | Urquidez v Goodson: 6,000 spectators; Bob Wall emceed. Rules
allowed 3 by 3-minute rounds with 1-minute rest periods, punching, kicking,
knee and elbow strikes, footsweeps, throws, grappling and submission holds.
Elbow pads required for elbow strikes. Point awards included 3 points for
takedowns with 5-second hold or simulated follow-up combination, 2 points for
takedowns without follow-up, 2 points for carrying opponent out of the ring,
1 point for each effective blow or combination. Striking a downed opponent
was prohibited. Wins were recognized by forfeit, decision, submission,
7-count KO or TKO. Goodson stood 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 230 pounds
compared with Urquidez at 5 foot 6 inches and 145 pounds. Urquidez throws and
pins Goodson in the third round for 3 points before resuming the bout from
their feet. Urquidez wins the $5,000 championship prize; Goodson $1100. | *21 | Urquidez v
Unreported #1 and #2: According to Professional
Karate magazine (March 1975), 58 contestants fought on the first day of
competition. Coverage began with the semi-finals. The names of Urquidez’s
first two opponents have been lost to time. |
Corroboration 1 | STAR System
Administrative Inquiry (1984, 1993): Personal testimonial by Urquidez manager
Stuart Sobel | 2 | WKA Internal
Records (1982): Presented to the STAR System by WKA President Howard Hanson | 3 | STAR System
Administrative Inquiry (1982): Personal testimonial by Benny Urquidez | 4 | STAR System
Administrative Inquiry (1981): Personal testimonial by Dana Goodson and Bob
Wall | 5 | Corcoran, John (December 1994).The Martial Arts Sourcebook, Perennial,
Harper Collins, New York, NY, Chapter 8 | 6 | Official Karate magazine (Jan 1975-Dec
1980). Charlton Publications, Inc., New York, NY, USA | 7 | “News and Reviews: Inter-Art Melee Earns Urquidez $5000
Prize” (March 1975). Professional Karatemagazine, Universal Publications of
America, Oklahoma City, OK, USA, p. 8-9 | 8 | Editors: Monahan, Terri and Gower, Dave (November 1975).
“Tommy Lee Presents: World Series Martial Arts Championships”, Oriental Fighting Arts magazine,
Can-Am Media, Inc., Toronto, CANADA, pp. 8, 58-63. | 9 | “Urquidez Retains Title with Knockout over Okao” (Apr
1978). Black Beltmagazine (digitized by Google Books), Rainbow Publications,
Inc., Burbank, CA, USA, p. 10. Retrieved on 1 July 2011. | 10 | Coleman, Jim (December 1985). “Benny ‘The Jet’ Urquidez’
Greatest Fights”, Black Belt magazine (digitized by
Google Books), Rainbow Publications, Inc., Burbank, CA, USA, pp. 37-42,
105-109. Retrieved on 1 July 2011. | 11 | “I Know This Is Hong Kong But Why Are They Using Wing
Chun?” (Nov 1981). Karate Monthly magazine, Clay
Communication Group, Inc., Hollywood, CA, USA, pp. 56-59 | 12 | Marlow, Chris (Nov 1981). Karate Monthly magazine, “The WKA:
The First Worldwide Sanctioning Body For Full-Contact Karate,” Clay
Communication Group, Inc., Hollywood, CA, USA, pp. 60-70 | 13 | Corcoran, John (December 1979). “The Case against Kick
Boxing”, Inside Kung-Fu magazine, CFW
Enterprises, Inc., Hollywood, CA, USA, pp. 28-35 | 14 | Sawyer, J. Mike (October 1980). “Benny’s Jet Fizzles as
Jackson Sizzles,” Sport Karate magazine, p. 11 | 15 | Sobel, Stuart (January 1981). “The Saga of a Super Champ,”
Official Karate magazine, Charlton
Publications, Inc., New York, NY, USA, p. 18 | 16 | “National Karate League Action: Full Contact at Ft. Worth”
(Summer 1975), Traditional TaeKwon-Do magazine,
P. 50 | 17 | “’Billy Jack’ Jackson” (December 1980), KICK Illustrated magazine, CFW
Enterprises, Inc., Hollywood, CA, USA, p. 18 | 18 | Jeffrey, Douglas (April 1994). “’The Jet’ Nearly Shot Down
in ‘Farewell’ Victory”, Black Belt magazine (digitized by
Google Books), Rainbow Publications, Inc., Burbank, CA, USA, pp. 18-23.
Retrieved on 1 July 2011. | 19 | Wallace, Bill (June 1994). “Urquidez vs. Tagami: It Could
Have Gone Either Way”, Black Belt magazine (digitized by
Google Books), Rainbow Publications, Inc., Burbank, CA, USA, p. 17. Retrieved
on 1 July 2011. | 20 | Kessler, Sandra E. (September 1994). “Benny ‘The Jet’
Fights Back”, Black Belt magazine (digitized by
Google Books), Rainbow Publications, Inc., Burbank, CA, USA, pp. 64-70, 112. Retrieved on 1 July 2011. | 21 | Farkas, Emil and Sobel, Stuart (December 1975). “Western
Wrap-Up”, Official Karate magazine, Charlton
Publications, Inc., New York, NY, USA, [reprinted in: Weiss, Al and Weiss,
David (1997). The Official History of Karate in America,
Pro-Action Publishing, Los Angeles, CA, USA, p. 274.] | 22 | Nishioka, Nancy (November 1975). “2nd World Series Martial
Arts Championships in Hawaii”, Black Belt magazine (digitized by
Google Books), Rainbow Publications, Inc., Burbank, CA, USA, pp. 56-58.
Retrieved on 1 July 2011. | 23 | “Aaron Banks’ World Professional Karate Championships”
(Oct 1975). Official Karate magazine, Charlton
Publications, Inc., New York, NY, USA, pp. 34-36, 54, 58 | 24 | Casel, Tayari (Oct 1975). “An Open Letter from Tayari
Casel”, Official Karate magazine, Charlton
Publications, Inc., New York, NY, USA, p. 37 | 25 | Ethington, Duane (August 1975). “Tournament Circuit:
Texans Outshine Stars”, Official Karate magazine, Charlton Publications, Inc., New
York, NY, USA, pp. 41-43, 62-65 | 26 | Maslak,
Paul (1985). “Full-Contact Karate: Down for the Count or Headed for the Big
Time?”, Black Belt Yearbook magazine, Rainbow
Publications, Inc, Burbank, CA, USA, p. 121 | 27 | Coleman,
Jim [as Editor] (Jun 1994). “What Happened to ‘The Jet’s’ Loss?”, Black Beltmagazine
(digitized by Google Books), Rainbow Publications, Inc., Burbank, CA, USA, p.
8. Retrieved on 17 July 2011. | 28 | Karate Illustrated (Aug 1977). Rainbow
Publications, Inc., Burbank, CA, USA | 29 | Springer, Steve (November 17, 1985). “Urquidez Wins 4th
Kick-Boxing Crown”, Los Angeles Times,
Times-Mirror Company, Los Angeles, CA, USA, at http://articles.latimes.com/1985-11-17/sports/sp-7172_1_heel-kick
. Retrieved 9 May 2011. | 30 | Administrative
Inquiry (20 July 2011). Personal testimonial by Benny Urquidez | 31 | New
Japan Pro-Wrestling Fan Site at http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results7080s.html.
Retrieved on 8 August 2011. | 32 | The
Great Hisa’s PuroResu Dojo at http://www.puroresu.com/newjapan/results/nj197706asia.html.
Retrieved on 8 August 2011. | 33 | Supercards and Tournaments at http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/newjapan/njindex.html.
Retrieved on 8 August 2011. | 34 | Corcoran,
John (Summer 1976). “Karate in America: West Coast”, Official Karate Yearbook magazine, Charlton
Publications, Inc., New York, NY, USA, pp. 52-55, 76-80. | 35 | Weiss, Al and
Weiss, David (1997). “The Legends of Full Contact and the New Gladiators”, The Official History of Karate in America,
Pro-Action Publishing, Los Angeles, CA, USA, p. 33. | 36 | Farkas, Emil and Sobel, Stuart (January 1979). “Western
Wrap-Up”, Official Karate magazine, Charlton
Publications, Inc., New York, NY, USA, [reprinted in: Weiss, Al and Weiss,
David (1997). The Official History of Karate in America,
Pro-Action Publishing, Los Angeles, CA, USA, p. 278.] | 37 | Farkas, Emil and Sobel, Stuart (July 1976). “Western
Wrap-Up”, Official Karate magazine, Charlton
Publications, Inc., New York, NY, USA, [reprinted in: Weiss, Al and Weiss,
David (1997). The Official History of Karate in America,
Pro-Action Publishing, Los Angeles, CA, USA, p. 288.] | 38 | 「K-1を見に行こう！」[“Let’s Go See K-1 Fight!”] at http://www.urban.ne.jp/home/geh02166/history/93.htm. Retrieved on 7 September 2011. | 39 | 「GRB速報ニュース」[GBR News Flash] (September 22, 2006) at http://gbring.com/sokuho/news/2006_09/0922_burai.htm. Retrieved on 7 September 2011. | 40 | 「VOL.14 新日ドーム大会全記録」[VOL.14 New Japan Pro-Wrestling Tokyo Dome Tournament Record] at
http://www.twc-wrestle.com/jyoho9701.html. Retrieved on 7 September 2011. | 41 | 「昭和のキックボクシング」[“Kickboxing in the Showa Era”] at http://syouwakickboxing.blog.so-net.ne.jp/index/3. Retrieved on 7 September 2011. | 42 | 「長江国政インタビューその１」[“Kunimasa Nagae Interview Part 1”] at http://ipocket.heteml.jp/cgi-bin/interview_isami/col4.cgi?mode=main&no=46. Retrieved on 7 September 2011 | 43 | 「スポーツナビ｜格闘技｜K-1|コラム」[“Sports Links - Martial Arts - K-1 - Column”] at http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/fight/k1/column/200302/0225sn_01.html. Retrieved on 7 September 2011. | 44 | 「検証、ベニー・ユキーデ」[“Maximum
MMA: Benny Urquidez, Verified”] (12 March 2010). Ameblo.jp website at http://ameblo.jp/maximum-mma/entry-10468462604.html. Retrieved on 7 September 2011. | 45 | 「ベニー・ユキーデ」[“Benny Urquidez”] (16 July 2011). Japan Wikipedia at http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%99%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%BB%E3%83%A6%E3%82%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%87. Retrieved on September 7 2011. | 46 | 「オーエンジャイ＆東京北斎ジム公式ホームページ」[Wongwenya & Tokyo Hokusei Gym Official Website] at http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~wongwen/old/index.html. Retrieved on 07 September 2011. | 47 | 「会長紹介－拳粋会空手道宮越道場」[“Introduction to Chairman Miyakoshi”], Kensuikai Karatedo
Miyakoshi Dojyo website at http://www5.atpages.jp/~kensui/index.php?%B2%F1%C4%B9%BE%D2%B2%F0. Retrieved on 07 September 2011. | 48 | 「全日本キックボクシング“格闘技大戦争”」[“All-Japan Kick-Boxing: ‘Fighting the Great War’”] (14 November
1977). So-net website at http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/back-kick/record8.htm. Retrieved on 2011 September
07. | 49 | 「第１次格闘技ブーム年表」[“Chronology of the First Martial Arts Boom”], Asahi-net website
at http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~yf7m-on/kakunen.html. Retrieved on 2011
September 07. | 50 | | 51 | Administrative Inquiry (22
September 2011). Personal phone call testimonial from Arnold Urquidez. | 52 | Henson, Steve (August 17, 1985).“The Jet: Born to Brawl”, Los Angeles Times, Times-Mirror
Company, Los Angeles, CA, USA, at http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-17/sports/sp-2240_1_benny-urquidez. Retrieved 2011 May 09. | 53 | Otterson,
Chuck (1979 May 27). “Shepherd
Dominates Kick Boxing Bout,” The Palm
Beach Post, Cox Enterprises, West Palm Beach, FL, p. E6 SPORTS. |
Other References ·
Benny Urquidez’s website at http://www.bennythejet.com/. Retrieved
on 06 August 2011. | ·
WKA USA website at http://www.wkausa.com/wka-history.html,
“WKA History”. Retrieved on 12 August 2011. | ·
Chapnick, Morris (February 1975). “A Black
Belt in the Boxing Ring,” The Fighters magazine, Rainbow Publications,
Inc., Burbank, CA, USA, p. 38-44. | ·
Durand, Michel (3 Avril 2008). “Benny ‘The
Jet’ Urquidez, Simply Gifted”, http://karate-in-english-lewis-wallace.blogspot.com/2008/04/benny-jet-urquidez-simply-gifted.html.
Retrieved on 1 June 2011 | ·
McCoy, Kid (03-15-2007). “Japan’s Kickboxing: A Condensed History”,
kyokushin4life.com website at http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2501
. Retrieved 1 June 2011 | ·
Colvin, Richard Lee (November 30, 1993).
“Ready for Takeoff”, Los Angeles Times,
Times-Mirror Company, Los Angeles, CA, USA, at http://articles.latimes.com/1993-11-30/local/me-62366_1_jet-center
. Retrieved 9 May 2011 | ·
Urquidez, Benny “The Jet” as told to Franck,
Loren (July 1985). “A Legend’s Advice: How to Become a Full-Contact Karate
Fighter”, Karate Illustrated magazine,
Rainbow Publications, Inc., Burbank, CA, USA, pp. 48-53 | ·
Baker, Timothy (March 1985). “Legs: The Target
of Champions” (Cover Story), Black Belt magazine (digitized by
Google Books), Rainbow Publications, Inc., Burbank, CA, USA, pp.20-25, 98,
100-102 | ·
Goldman, Stuart (September 22, 1983). “A
Family of Fighting Champions”, Los
Angeles Times, Times-Mirror Company, Los Angeles, CA, USA, Part V, pp.
25-26 | ·
Royers, Fred (Februari 1983).“Benny ‘The Jet’ Urquidez: in de ban van de ring”, Zendokan magazine, Holam Groep,
Amsterdam, Netherlands, Vol. 3 No. 2, pp. 40-45 | ·
Corcoran, John and Farkas, Emil (1983). Martial Arts: Traditions, History, People,
Gallery Books, W.H. Smith Publishers, Inc., New York, NY | ·
CBC-TV (1982). CANADA | ·
TVB-TV (1981). BRITISH HONG KONG | ·
Sobel, Stuart with Corcoran, John (July 1981).
“Close Up: Benny Urquidez – The King of Full-Contact Karate Advocates
Traditional Values” (Cover Story), KICK Illustratedmagazine, CFW Enterprises, Inc.,
Hollywood, CA, USA, pp. 44-51 | ·
“Wallace vs. Urquidez: Who Would Win?” (August
1980). KICK Illustratedmagazine,CFW Enterprises, Inc., Hollywood, CA, USA,pp. 56-59 | ·
Sobel, Stuart (June 1980). “Nothing Beats a
Great Pair of Legs!: The Case for Kick-Boxing”,Inside Kung-Fu magazine,CFW Enterprises, Inc., Hollywood, CA,
USA,pp. 35-39 | ·
USA Cable-TV (1980). USA | ·
NBC-TV Sports (1979-1980). USA | ·
Ashai-TV (1978-1979). JAPAN | ·
Goldman, Stuart (March 1979).“The Baddest Dude In The World”,Hustler magazine, LFP, Inc., Los
Angeles, CA, USA, pp. 48-50, 99-100, 105 | ·
Goldman, Stuart (January 1979). “A Candid
Interview with Benny Urquidez: The Deadliest Fighter of Them All”, Official Karate magazine, Charlton
Publications, Inc., New York, NY, USA, pp. 28-31, 62 | ·
CBS “Sports Spectacular” (1976-1977). USA | ·
NBC-TV’s “The Champions” (1975). USA | ·
ABC-TV’s “Wide World of Sports” (1975). USA | ·
ABC-TV’s “Sports Report” (1975). USA |
 Benny “The
Jet” Urquidez - Exposé
More than for any other champion, the Wikipedia entry for Benny “The Jet” Urquidez
motivated the creation of this website. The misstatements, misinterpretations
and inexactitudes have unfairly disparaged a very honorable man who was the
first great champion to cast a truly international shadow for his sport. Apparently
his Wikipedia entry
has gone unchallenged for some time because these same disparagements have metastasized
across the Internet.
200-0 Record WIKIPEDIA excerpt - Retrieved 18 May 2011
| | On his own official webpage, Urquidez lists his fight
record as 200-0, and says he was 63-0, with 57 knockouts in title
defenses. |
Okay, it’s true. Benny’s website boasts a 200-0 fight record. Sounds inflated to most people, right? I suspect
that boast prompted the scurrilous slams contained within his Wikipedia entry. When I last spoke with Benny about
fifteen years ago, if you asked him casually, he would tell you he had over 200
fights with a championship record of 63-0; he does not count the non-title
fights. Urquidez is not being deceptive: He’s telling it how he
remembers it. In fact, Urquidez has much justification
for the way he remembers his ring career. First, no one should doubt Urquidez’ claim
of over 200 fights. Witnesses abound; at least they did twenty years ago when his
STAR
ring record was first compiled. The problem was
that, between tournament events, pro-team events, street fights and ring
fights, less than a quarter of his bouts were properly documented. In the years just prior to the
inaugural PKA
World Championships in 1974, tournament karate promoters throughout the United
States began to offer prize money to the grand champions of “professional karate”
events. Competitors wore Jhoon Rhee’s Safe-T-Equipment and fought with “hard-contact”
kicks and punches within the limitations of the traditional tournament karate
scoring system. Follow-up combinations were interrupted. Urquidez entered many
of these pro tournaments, fighting multiple opponents in a day. WKA
founder Howard Hanson told me that in spring 1973, Henry Awau, Mike
Stone and
he introduced “Mainland versus Hawaii” pro team events to Honolulu,
pitting California teams against Hawaii teams. The competition was
sometimes conducted
on raised stages or in boxing rings. Benny Urquidez quickly emerged as a
popular
headliner in Hawaii, winning every match in multiple events. These
events were mentioned
briefly in Official Karate
magazine (July 1976, page 15) and Karate Monthly
magazine (November 1981, pages 61-62). Many of Benny’s 200 fights came from
these early pro-karate events. Records were not kept of opponents nor even of
many events. Later, after the modern kickboxing movement began under the name “full-contact
karate,” Honolulu promoter Tommy Lee recruited Urquidez for his distinctive World Series of the Martial Arts Championships
in good measure because of Benny’s reputation from Hanson’s team events. Urquidez
also then participated in team full-contact karate events for the National
Karate League, another early sanctioning body.
 
(Left to right) NKL "Los Angeles Stars" teammates Lenny Ferguson, Benny Urquidez, Manit Chaursan, Manuel Hernandez, Blinky Rodriguez
and Ruben Urquidez in 1975.
|
The photograph on the left was snapped just
prior to Urquidez’ team matchup against Demetrius “The Greek” Havanas in Ft.
Worth, Texas. At the time, Traditional
TaeKwon-Do magazine (Summer 1975, pages 50-52) reported that Benny had
won five bouts by knockout in NKL team events of which STAR could only
authenticate two. In this same year, I personally attended an NKL full-contact
karate team event near Oakland, California, in which Benny’s team participated.
I did not keep records, but I believe Benny fought on that card. Clearly, many
of Benny’s fights remain lost to time.
The STAR
System’s Authenticated Kickboxing Record for Benny Urquidez documents all
professional full-contact bouts for which some evidence could be located, while
excluding any transitional pro-karate tournaments. It also mentions 8
undocumented bouts which, based on the testimonials of WKA President
Howard Hanson and Urquidez’ older brother Arnold as well as his late brothers Ruben and Mando, likely also
occurred. (See Urquidez
record)
Urquidez v Suzuki  WIKIPEDIA excerpt - Retrieved 18 May 2011
| Biography
The
Suzuki fight was materialized due to the fact that the WKA, then newly
formed organization, could not compete against the PKA in the stateside,
therefore, WKA president Howard Hanson and vice-president Arnold
Urquidez had to look for actions in overseas. [9] |
Beyond the badly written English in the above Wikipedia
excerpt… Let's examine Note [9] – BAB Japan. The Dave Cater Interview. 格闘技通信No.9
Kakutougi Tsuushin; "Martial Arts Network No.9", August 1, 1987, Japan.
In a 6 May 2011 personal email to me, the cited source [9] for
the above account, former Inside Kung-fu editor Dave Cater, did not recall having made
this statement and does not endorse it. In actual fact, as explained to me by WKA President Howard Hanson, the WKA broke
away from the PKA
because the two promotional entities could not come to terms about splitting
television revenues. Consequently, while continuing to promote in the Western
US and Canada, the WKA also
ventured into Japan in search of new television arrangements.
PKA Title Vacated WIKIPEDIA excerpt - Retrieved 18 May 2011
| Biography
In
the same event, Benny Urquidez KOed Howard Jackson, but soon his
lightweight title was stripped by the PKA, and so both Eddy and Urquidez
had no action in the US, and had to look for fights overseas.
|
Similarly, this Wikipedia conjecture
that Urquidez “had no action in the US, and had to look for fights overseas” is
flatly false. In August 1979, when the PKA
vacated Urquidez’ PKA
world title for failure to defend, I was present with then-PKA Events
Coordinator John
Corcoran at PKA headquarters
on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. The following day, as the new editor of Inside Kung-Fu magazine, I met Benny Urquidez for the first
time at Ed Parker’s International
Karate Tournament in Long Beach. I asked Urquidez why he had not defended
the PKA
title. He told me he would fight anyone for the right price. He possessed the WKA world
title which was more meaningful to him. In short, the PKA
had
not offered him a large enough purse to bother with their title defense
or a good reason to accept their requirement for PKA exclusivity.
Clearly Urquidez could have continued to fight in the United
States and, in fact, had defeated Rick Simmerly in South Lake Tahoe over NBC-TV
within the previous two months and would fight again over NBC-TV from Las Vegas
within the next four months. The champ’s answer to me was my first exposure to
how professional champions think about their match ups. Urquidez had a wife and
family to support. Unlike his fight
fans, Benny let pride play a secondary role to financial arrangements in his
career choices. Throughout my subsequent decade of experience as a magazine journalist,
professional ring observer and sports official, I found that most career
fighters adhered to this same priority. (See Urquidez
record) Urquidez v Tagami WIKIPEDIA excerpt - Retrieved 18 May 2011
| Biography
In
1984, he fought Ivan Sprang in Amsterdam under modified Muay Thai rules
(no elbows), winning by 6th round TKO. His ring career largely came to a
halt after 1985, and he retired after facing Yoshihisa Tagami at the
age of 41. He won by the controversial decision. |
Urquidez defeated Tagami in a decision handed down by neutral,
veteran, world class judges in Las Vegas: former WKA world champion Fred Royers
of Netherlands, WKA women’s champion Dayle Baykey of Canada, and a Nevada
Athletic Commission regular. Tagami and his fans may have felt that the outcome
should have gone the other way. I witnessed this bout and thought it was close.
But you must clearly beat a champion to become a champion. Urquidez won his final
world title by split decision, meaning two judges scored for Urquidez and one
judge scored for Tagami. That’s 2-1, not quite the same as a “controversial
decision”.
Urquidez v Narongnoi WIKIPEDIA excerpt - Retrieved 18 May 2011
| Controversial fight decisions
Urquidez
fought in two bouts which were eventurally ruled no-contest (NC). The
first, in Los Angeles in March 1977, was a nine-round NC (WKA) against
Thai boxer Narongnoi Kiatbandit. |
 Again, the outcome is not really so controversial. This 12
March 1977 WKA
world title bout between Benny Urquidez and Narongnoi Kiatbandit was declared a
no-contest by the California State Athletic Commission. In the final round, after
the referee assessed Narongnoi with a one point penalty, a riot broke out in
the audience among the Thai fans that eventually halted the proceedings with mere
seconds remaining on the clock. Scores were never obtained for the final ninth round.
The Athletic Commission collected the master scorecard and refused tabulation.
The WKA,
as a new sanctioning entity, accepted the Athletic Commission’s no-contest ruling.
(See Urquidez
record, STAR Finding *6)
What else were the governing officials supposed to do? At
the event, a decision in either competitor’s favor would have exacerbated an
already explosive situation. Later, of course, there were no scores available
for round 9. Understandably, over the decades, much speculation has
elevated this bout in some circles to mythic proportions. It was, after all, the
WKA’s premiere
world title fight as well as the first time a major American kickboxing
champion had been matched against a major muay Thai champion. Then … no outcome: You couldn’t have a better lightning rod
for conspiracy addicts. In 1981, the STAR System
investigated this bout’s official ruling. We questioned the California State
Athletic Commission, the event promoter WKA President
Howard Hanson, ringside judge Tom Schlesinger (also a PKA and WKA
referee), and several eyewitnesses as well as Benny Urquidez. We determined the
following facts: - RULES:
Punching and kicking, including low kicks to the thighs, footsweeps and throws
were permitted to legal target areas. Clinching was allowed only to the extent
that it led immediately to a throw or footsweep. Holding and striking as well
as knee and elbow strikes were prohibited.
- KNOCKDOWNS:
Urquidez scored flash knockdowns against Narongnoi in rounds 3 and 6. Narongnoi
scored a flash knockdown against Urquidez in round 9. Each knockdown added an
extra point advantage to the contestant who scored the knockdown.
- THROWS & FOOTSWEEPS: Urquidez scored throws against Narongnoi in rounds 2, 3,
7 and 9. Urquidez also scored a footsweep against Narongnoi in round 8. Under
the rules, throws and footsweeps did not affect the score as much as a
knockdown. They equated more with a powerful kick and punch combination that
connected.
- WARNINGS:
The referee warned Narongnoi for hold-and-hit knee strikes in rounds 5, 8 and 9,
and for groin kicks in rounds 4, 5 and 8. Urquidez was allowed a short recovery
period following a groin kick in round 8.
- POINT DEDUCTION: The referee finally assessed Narongnoi with a 1-point deduction
in round 9 for a hold-and-hit knee strike. The referee could have assessed penalty
deductions with each of the previous warnings but showed leniency owing to the
unaccustomed rules for Narongnoi. Referees today would not allow any competitor
that much latitude.
- NO-CONTEST: The official ruling was
no-contest. Promoter Howard Hanson and ringside judge Tom Schlesinger
separately told the STAR System that, aside
from the knockdowns, throws and point deduction, the physical
effectiveness of each fighter was fairly
even.
Now, in light of the rules and rulings, I would invite any fair-minded
martial arts fan to watch the entire fight. A poor quality home movie shot from the upper seating at the Grand Olympic
Auditorium in Los Angeles appeared on YouTube as recently as September 2011. Set aside your emotions; refer to the official rulings
cited above; then score each round on the 10-point must system (winner receives
10 points, loser 9 or less). Just from the knockdowns and throws, Urquidez enjoyed roughly
a 3 to 5 point scoring advantage over 9 rounds. Some muay Thai fans argue that, after a knockdown, Urquidez was saved from a certain knockout by the crowd. Nonsense. The flash knockdown occurred early in the round and was due more to Urquidez being off balance than from the power of the kick. By the time the crowd invaded the ring, Urquidez and Naraongnoi had been exchanging evenly for more than a minute.
Under WKA rules,
Urquidez should have been awarded a unanimous decision. There is really no
doubt: The Jet was robbed.
Urquidez v Billye Jackson WIKIPEDIA excerpt - Retrieved 18 May 2011
| Controversial fight decisions
Next, Urquidez fought to a seven-round NC (WKA)
againt Billy Jackson in West Palm Beach, Florida on August 8, 1980. The
fight was first reported as a seven-round decision for Jackson; then was
changed to a seventh round technical draw, and then to a no-contest.
The no-contest status of these fights has been corroborated in print by
Paul Maslak (Chief Administrator of the Star System). However, recent
research has come up with new data which casts a shadow on Urquidez's
"undefeated" record. In the November 1984 issue of Official Karate
Magazine, on page 45, Paul Maslak in his STAR System Ratings (for March
1984) lists Urquidez as the Star System World Super-Lightweight Champion
with a record of 56 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw, with 47 wins by knockout, and
14 wins by kick-knockout. Almost a year later in the September 1985
issue of Official Karate (page 44), Urquidez's record is still listed as
56-1-1. In an article for Inside Karate Magazine, Urquidez's record up
to November 1985 was listed as 75-0-2, 47 KO, 14 KKO (page 25). |
The August 1980 WKA non-title bout with Billye Jackson was transmuted to a no-contest by the WKA
governing authority owing to uneven glove assignments and a last-minute
rule change that unfairly impacted Urquidez' performance in an
otherwise close match. (See Urquidez
record, STAR Finding *3) The STAR ratings as published in Official Karate magazine and
elsewhere did not reflect this outcome until the WKA officially
ruled. But the WKA waited
five years to rule on the Benny Urquidez-Billye Jackson bout. The November 1985 issue of Inside Karate transparently inverted
the digits in Urquidez’ record to show 75 wins. The appropriate number at the
time was 57 wins as was reflected in the STAR ratings. I was not editor
of Inside Karate; I cannot speak for
why a retraction was or was not printed.
Urquidez v Okao WIKIPEDIA excerpt - Retrieved 18 May 2011
| Other Record Manipulations
Urquidez has faced controversy over apparent manipulation of his actual fight record and over accounts of his fights.
The
first such allegation arose over claims made after a scheduled fight
against Japanese champion Kunimatsu Okao. It has been maintained in
various promotional materials since that, "the former undefeated All
Japan Champion Kunimatsu Okao came out of retirement to challenge
Urquidez to avenge the loss of Suzuki...' However, in Japan, it was
widely known that Okao was not undefeated. |
Urquidez had nothing whatsoever to do with promotional
materials surrounding his fights and should not be blamed for errors contained within
such publicity. In that era, there were virtually no Japanese champions who
fought the majority of their careers under muay Thai rules with unblemished
ring records. In the case of Kunimatsu Okao, the referenced publicity likely
intended only that Okao had been undefeated as champion. English-speaking publicists
for these fights worked through interpreters, often without direct access to
prime sources. Unintentional mistakes occurred. Urquidez did not commit those
errors. Urquidez v Onuki WIKIPEDIA excerpt - Retrieved 18 May 2011
| Other Record Manipulations
On April 29, 1978,
Urquidez faced his fourth Japanese opponent Shinobu Onuki; the event was
co-promoted by the AJKF and Shin-Kakutojutsu Federation. ...
Eventually, Urquidez completed a tactically dangerous and illegal
shoulder throw, due, apparently, to his overwhelming frustration. The
throw was effective and dislocated Onuki's shoulder. Initially, because
of the throw, Urquidez was given a TKO loss, however, the promoters
discovered that Urquidez used the throw without knowing it was illegal
in Japan; the bout was then scored as a no-contest. ... However,
Urquidez has since listed his first fight against Onuki as a TKO win. |
Although Japanese rules for muay Thai competition outlawed throws
because they interfered with clinch-fighting, throws had been contractually
included in the international rules for this match. Both the disqualification
and the initial no-contest rulings were improper. When the AJKBA (aka AJKF)
merged with the WKA in late
1981, the WKA
governing authority officially transmuted this outcome to a TKO. (See Urquidez record, STAR
Finding *5)
Urquidez v Prayud (Prayout)
 WIKIPEDIA excerpt - Retrieved 18 May 2011
| Other Record Manipulations
On August 2, 1978, Urquidez faced the fifth-ranked
welterweight Thai boxer, Prayout Sittiboonlert, as part of the
Shin-Kakutojutsu Organization's first independent event. The rules for
the bout included six two-minute rounds, one-minute intervals, and no
elbow contact as per request made by Urquidez. Urquidez lost a
heart-stopping decision to the Thai, who controlled the fight with
relentless knee attacks and through the masterful use of Thai
clinches... For years, Urquidez has claimed the Sittiboonlert fight was a
no-contest, or has claimed the WKA and/or STAR system turned it into a
no-contest. However, the fight was neither sanctioned nor promoted by
the WKA. The fight was promoted by Kenji Kurosaki's Shin-Kakutojutsu
Federation. Therefore, neither the WKA nor the STAR system had
jurisdiction. |
Clinch-fighting, which allows striking-and-holding, alters
the competition. The STAR
System regarded muay Thai as a different sport from kickboxing, like boxing or
wrestling, and excluded this bout from its kickboxing ratings and record count.
Notice that the above Wikipedia description of the fight, “with relentless knee
attacks“ and “masterful use of Thai clinches,” confirms the STAR System’s
classification of the bout as muay Thai. (See Urquidez record, STAR
Finding *4)
  The STAR
System compilation of Urquidez’ record printed in the book King of the Ring (Pro Action
Publishing, Los Angeles, 1995) was abridged from the authenticated STAR
record and contains comments from a ghostwriter not affiliated with the STAR System. I do not accept
responsibility for those comments. Review the complete STAR Authenticated Kickboxing
Record for Benny Urquidez within this website. Neither the STAR System nor the WKA altered
the New Combative Sports Federation (aka Shin-Kakutojutsu Federation) outcome for the
bout: Urquidez lost a points-decision ... under muay Thai-style clinch-fighting rules, not international kickboxing.
Instead, both STAR and WKA ignored this outcome as irrelevant to the rated competition within their purviews. At their core,
the rules behind the two sports serve different purposes: Muay Thai seeks to preserve
the traditions of Thailand’s ancient national sport while, also, increasing its
appeal for gamblers through more unpredictable TKOs within the happenstance of
knee and elbow blows. Kickboxing, in contrast, seeks to attract a mass television
audience in the West through clean visual action, a minimum of blood, and a
preponderance of athletic skill over happenstance. Immediately after this event, it should be
mentioned, the
returning Americans insisted that the bout was supposed to be a
no-decision
bout (meaning knockout or draw; no judges) because Urquidez's scheduled
opponent cancelled on short notice and, instead, Benny fought a
middleweight nearly 20 pounds heavier. The promoter, the
Americans believed, had intended to use this no-decision as an
opportunity for political advantage within the Japanese kick-boxing
community by first awarding
a deceptively-achieved win to Prayout Srisontob (aka Prayud
Sittiboonlert). The
New Combative Sports Federation was disbanded in 1981 after a
yakuza-scandal infested kick-boxing.
 Cancelled Rematch
WIKIPEDIA excerpt - Retrieved 18 May 2011
| Other Record Manipulations
Shocked,
Urquidez vowed to avenge the loss, and a rematch was set on October 30,
1978 at the Budokon (Martial Arts Hall) as part of the five world
championships card for the Shin-Kakutojutsu Organization. However, for
unknown reasons, Urquidez canceled the fight on the day of the event.
According to one report, Urquidez did travel to Japan, but was unable to
recover sufficiently from a high fever which he contracted from an
allergic reaction to pain medication being used to treat a lingering
left knuckle injury.
|
At different stages in Urquidez’ career, there was also lots
of talk about legendary dream matches against PKA
World Champ Bill
“Superfoot” Wallace, Japanese Muay Thai Champ Toshio Fujiwara and
even a mix-match against WBA/WBC World Boxing
Champ Roberto Duran. Certainly
the champions were willing, but the fights never happened. Likewise, rematches
for professional fighters are cancelled as often as they occur, usually owing
to compensation or promotional obstacles. For example, the long-anticipated
Urquidez rematch with WKA Welterweight
World Champ Howard
Jackson also never materialized. The above Wikipedia
statement constitutes naive and innuendo-laden speculation that should have no
place in an objective encyclopedia entry.
Urquidez v Asuka WIKIPEDIA excerpt - Retrieved 18 May 2011
| Other Record Manipulations
After
a six-year absence from the Japanese ring, Urquidez agreed to fight an
exhibition against Nobuya Asuka on April 24, 1989 at the Tokyo Dome as
part of the New Japan Pro-Wrestling event. The rules of the bout were
five rounds at two-minutes each, one-minute intervals and without elbow
or knee contact to the head. Additionally, it was established that, if
the fight went the distance, it would automatically be scored as a draw.
The bout did go five rounds without knockout or disqualification and a
draw was immediately declared. However, Urquidez has neither listed the
bout as an exhibition nor listed it as a draw. He has instead
consistently listed the fight as a decision win. |
The correct term for a competitive bout without judges that goes the distance is a no-decision. In the West, no-decision contests have rarely been sanctioned since the early days of professional boxing. When the Uquidez-Asuka bout occurred, the STAR
System was
preparing to cease operations and did not corroborate the reported
outcome
directly with Japanese sources. In the era preceding the Internet,
verification
from Japan required a burdensome procedure. We got this one wrong. This
bout was a no-decision bout; the official outcome was a draw. STAR accepts responsibility for reporting this one wrong. Urquidez does not control his STAR ring record. (See Urquidez
record, STAR Finding *1)
Bottom Line When Benny “The Jet” Urquidez reminisces about his
remarkable championship career, if he misremembers, misstates or exaggerates at
all, it’s not by very much. | |
|