with indian blackfoot and spanish blood, and coming from a professional wrestler mother and professional boxer father, with all siblings black belts, it is hardly suprising that benny is so damn hard. benny earns his nickname from his jumping spinning backsthrust kick, said to be very powerful, fast, and accurate. but as he says, 'i can fight southpaw or orthodox, i can kick you with either leg, i can jump of either leg or i can hit you with either hand. i can do just as much damage with any of them. as far as i am concerned, there is no limit to me...to me i can use any weapon. if someone says they are a world champion in my division, i say "lets go." i will beat you at your own rules and in your own back yard.'
benny, on what the martial arts have taught him: 'the martial arts taught me to be a good team player. it taught me discipline. it taught me good sportsmanship. it gave me peace of mind. it taught me to walk with pride and a lot of excitement, and that there is a lot of beauty in the world.'
benny's philosophy: 'i am going to give them my best. i am there to give the glory to God. it is His glory while i am in there, win or lose, it is for Him. that is my foundation, mentally, physically can spiritually.'
he is currently a black belt in 9 different martial arts, and has been fighting since the age of five, in the peewee boxing events at the olympic auditorium in los angeles.
his unique style won him every tournament he entered and he pioneered full contact karate in the states. some say he is responsible for the state of full contact karate and american kickboxing as it is today. benny is the founder of ukidokan karate, and has written 4 books and recorded 8 instructional videos.
his achievements in the ring are simply amazing. no other word for it.
- profession fights, won 200, lost 0
- world title defense record, won 67, lost 0
- retained 6 world championships
����������������������������������������������� - in 5 weight divisions!
������������������������������������������������������������������������������� - for 24 consecutive years!!
- benny remains the longest reining world champion in any profession sport in the world
benny is now retired from the ring and focusing on his movie career and his gym in north hollywood (the jets' gym!). you can see benny in grosse point blank (a wicked film, if you haven't already, see it), and his work in many films as he is now one of the most sought after fight co-ordinators and trainers for hollywoods actors and actresses. his wife, sara, is also an accomplished kickboxer and takes lessons at the gym in kickboxing and spiritual awareness, and his daughter, monique is a kickboxer and professional model. |
