Cliff Thomas (kickboxer)
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| Cliff Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Born | El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 4 |
| Wins | 3 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 77 |
| Wins | 69 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Draws | 3 |
Cliff Thomas is a former American professional kickboxer, former professional boxer and actor from El Paso, Texas.[1][2][3] Known as "Magic",[4][1][2][3] and "The Black Knight of Kickboxing", he is a former 7-time world champion,[4][1][3] across five weight divisions,[4] in the PKA, ISKA and KICK organizations between 1980 and 2003.[5][6][2][7][8][9] He was also the STAR undisputed lightweight champion in 1980.[10][11]
He was the first fighter in PKA history to win world titles in two separate weight divisions. The first kickboxer to win a world title in three different weight divisions.[3][1] The first and only kickboxer of his time to become a four-time, five-time, six-time, and ultimately a seven-time world champion.[3][1] He was never officially knocked down or knocked out in his career.[1][3] Thomas is known for his southpaw stance, crab style defense and his left hook.[12] His final record is listed as 69 Wins, 5 Losses, and 3 Draws.[3]
Thomas underwent open-heart surgery as a child, leaving him with 152 stitches in the shape of a cross on his chest.[3] He was not expected to live past age twelve. Yet, Thomas began his martial arts journey in 1972 at the age of 14 in his hometown of El Paso, Texas.[1][3] His first instructor was Robert Nava, under whom he trained and earned his Black Belt in 1976.[3] He also earned a fourth degree black belt in Chinese Kenpo Karate and a fifth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.[3]
His early training laid the foundation for a professional kickboxing career. To prepare for it, he began full contact training in 1979 under notable kickboxing instructors Demetrius Havanas and Ishmael Robles,[13] with Rocky Galarza serving as his primary boxing coach.[1][3]
Professional career
In August 1980 Thomas defeated the previously undefeated Gordon Franks by 3rd-round TKO to win the PKA Super Lightweight World Championship.[1][2][3][10][14] On January 24, 1981, Thomas defeated Richard Jackson by decision to retain world title.[1][3] In April 1981 Thomas knocked out Gary Ortiz in the 2nd round.[1][3] While on Jul 24, 1981 Thomas beat previously undefeated Paul Vizzio by TKO on NBC SportsWorld to retain title.[1][2][3][12][15] Thomas finished out the year in November 1981 losing his world title to Paul Vizzio at Madison Square Garden.[1][2][8][15][10]
In May 1982 Thomas defeated Tony Lopez by decision.[1][3] On August 14, 1982, Thomas TKO'd Norris Williams in the 10th round to win the PKA Lightweight World Championship (becoming a two-division champion).[1][3][7] In November 1982 he defeated Tony Gutierrez to retain Lightweight Title.[1][3] In March 1983 Thomas lost a decision, and the Lightweight Title, to Tony Rosser.[1][3][7][16] In August 1983 he defeated Tony Rosser in a rematch to regain the Lightweight Title (becoming a three-time world champion).[1][3][7]
On February 16, 1984, Thomas defended his title with a 3rd-round KO of Robert Visitacion.[1][3] In April 1984 he defeated Tommy Williams by 8th-round TKO to win the PKA Light Welterweight World Championship (becoming a four-time champion and simultaneously holding two titles).[1][2][3][17] On April 8, 1984, Thomas vacated the Light Welterweight title due to PKA rules preventing a competitor from holding multiple titles.[6] In August 1984 he defended the Lightweight Title by TKOing England's Nick McClellan in the 7th round.[1][3] On November 3, 1984, he defeated George Sorrell by 4th-round TKO.[3]
In 1985 Thomas defended the Lightweight Title against Kevin Hillhouse,[1][3] Gary Garner,[1][3][18] and Byron Robinson,[1][3] winning all by KO.[1][3] In 1985, Thomas fought Curtis Bush in a non-title bout in Atlanta, Georgia and lost by unanimous decision over five rounds.[19] In 1986 Thomas also lost the PKA World Lightweight title in a decision to Leo Loucks.[7][20]
On March 14, 1987, Thomas KO'd Thomas Chesterfield in the 9th round to win the ISKA Light Welterweight World Championship (becoming a five-time champion).[1][2][5][3] He later KO'd Chesterfield again in an 8th round rematch.[1][3] In August of1988, Thomas defended his ISKA title by KO'ing Eric Melton in the 4th round.[1] On October 8, 1988, he defeated Davy Johnston by TKO in the 3rd round.[1][3][21]
Thomas retired, but came out retirement on May 25, 2002, and KO'd Canada's Thomas Downing in the 5th round to win the KICK Middleweight World Championship (becoming a six-time champion).[1][3][9] Then on Sep 29, 2002 he KO'd North American Champion Michael Corleone to win another KICK World Championship (becoming a seven-time champion at age 45).[1][3]