Bill Wallace

From MartialTalk Online Martial Arts Encyclopedia Project

Bill Wallace (18 May 1949 - ) is an American martial artist, best known as Superfoot, the dominant kickboxer of the 1970s.

He was born in Portland, Indiana, and began his study of Judo and (in February 1967), Shorin-ryu Karate while serving in the U.S. Air Force. After entering the point fighting tournament scene and achieving success there, he switched to full-contact kickboxing. He won 23 consecutive professional fights between 1974 and 1980, becoming the Professional Karate Association middleweight world champion and retiring undefeated. He was known for his extremely fast left leg kicks, especially his roundhouse kick. He focused on his left leg due to a Judo-related injury to his right knee. He also suffered the loss of one testicle during a point fighting tournament, when his protective cup was struck at an unfortunate angle.

He studied at Ball State University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1971 in physical education, and in 1976 earned a master's degree in Kinesiology from Memphis State University. He has taught at Memphis State as well. He is the author of three books: Karate: Basic Concepts & Skills, Dynamic Kicking & Stretching, and The Ultimate Kick, and continues to give seminars. He has also worked as an actor, most notably in A Force of One starring Chuck Norris.

He is a former member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness, and has worked as a personal trainer for celebrities. In fact, it was Bill Wallace, acting as a trainer and bodyguard, who discovered John Belushi's body following his death from an overdose.