Benny Urquidez
| Benny Urquidez | |
|---|---|
Urquidez in 1998
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| Born |
June 20, 1952 Tarzana, California, United States |
| Other names | The Jet |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) |
| Division |
Lightweight Super Lightweight Welterweight |
| Style | Boxing, Karate |
| Fighting out of | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Team | The Jet Center |
| Years active | 1974–1985, 1989, 1993 |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 54 |
| Wins | 49 |
| By knockout | 35 |
| Losses | 2 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 2 |
| Other information | |
| Notable students | Pete Cunningham, David Lee Roth, John Cusack, Richard Norton, Dave Mustaine, Duff McKagan |
| Benny Urquidez | |
|---|---|
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| Rank |
Black Belt in Kenpo Black Belt in Judo Black Belt in Jujutsu Black Belt in Shotokan Karate Black Belt in Taekwondo Black Belt in Kajukenbo Black Belt in Kendo Black Belt in Kickboxing |
Benny Urquidez (born June 20, 1952) is an American kickboxer, martial arts choreographer and actor. Nicknamed The Jet, Urquidez was a non-contact karate competitor who later pioneered full-contact fighting in the U.S. He made the transition from point to full-contact karate in 1974 – the year of its inception in the U.S. – frequently fighting in bouts where the rules were ambiguous and contrasts in styles were dramatic. Urquidez is also known for once holding the rare achievement of six World Titles in five different weight divisions, and Urquidez remained largely undefeated in his 27-year career. His only loss came in a Muay Thai which was shrouded in controversy, as Urquidez had only agreed to a no-decision exhibition, a clause which was ignored when the fight had ended.
Between 1974 and 1993, he amassed a documented professional record of 49–1–1 (win-loss-draw) with 35 knockouts and two controversial no-contests, although he is also supposed to have an additional record of 10–0–1 (10 KOs) in undocumented pro fights, making a total of 59–1–2–2 (45 KOs). However, sources vary with Ratings listing Urquidez as 63–0–1, (57 knockouts) and 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. Also, he claims to have been undefeated in the "Adult Black Belt Division" prior to entering full-contact karate. Black Belt magazine voted Urquidez "Competitor of the Year" in 1978.
Urquidez was born in Los Angeles County, California, the son of a wrestling mother and a boxing father. His parentage is Spanish and Mexican with some Blackfoot American Indians ancestry. Urquidez and his wife are part of the Blackfoot tribe.
Benny began competing in 1958, at the age of five, in "peewee" boxing and wrestling in Los Angeles. His martial arts instruction started when he was seven years old; his first formal teacher was Bill Ryusaki. Urquidez received his black belt at the age of 14, a highly unusual feat in the 1960s. His siblings also achieved the rank of black belt. His sister Lilly Rodriguez was a pioneer in kickboxing for women.
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