I've been friends with Don for 40+ years and was at that fight. I was writing for Official Karate Magazine and sat ringside just in front of Al Wise. Immediately after the fight I followed Dennis up to his room. His trainer covered the bed with plastic and had Dennis laydown on it without his pants on. He poured ice all over his legs while we talked to help deal with the damage from the leg kicks. I asked Dennis why he didn't take Howard Hansen (president of the WKA) up on his offer to send Dennis to learn how to leg kick from Benny the Jet. He looked at me and said "Because I didn't know anyone could hit that hard." In defeat he was humble, gracious, and acted like a professional. I was impressed with him. I already knew how dangerous Don was, hell I kick boxed and sparred with him many times, but Dennis was new to me and I was happy that I got the chance to be there and meet him one-on-one. It was nice to see my old friend Chuck Norris there too. We had a great time and I remember it like it was yesterday.

@scottforrester8007

Жыл бұрын

@BarryHarrelKZread I just said the great fighters of this time were humble but as much as I like Don I think he has an ego that would choke a horse, does he ever say but btw I did this wrong but that’s where I went wrong, no, it’s always the big I am, I hate big ego’s

@BarryHarrellYouTube

Жыл бұрын

​@@scottforrester8007 How well do you know Don? Are you friends with him? I am and have been for over 40 years and I can tell you that he doesn't have a big ego. He is one of the most down to earth people I know. He is a competitor for sure but I have talked with him since his early days all the way through his movie career (I was in one of his movies). The one thing I have never heard anyone say about him is that he has a big ego until today. Let me tell you something about Don - years ago he was in Texas with some other fighters going to an event and they had to take a bus. Don was the most accomplished fighter in the group and they were lined up to get on the bus when some redneck came up to him and told him to go to the back of the line because he was Asian. Can you imagine anyone doing that today? Anyway, do you know what Don did? If he had a big ego he would have clobbered the guy or pitched a fit. But he didn't, he picked up his bag and went to the back of the line. He doesn't want trouble, he doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. What you have to understand about Don is that he just talks - I mean he talks to reporters and to fans the same way he talks to you or me. What you see is what you get. There is no persona with Don. I'm the same way and I have found that people think I am being arrogant sometimes just because I tell you what I honestly think. I don't filter it to look humble or to look big. Anyway, I've known him most of my adult life and if you ask me, he is a down-to-earth and honest man. He doesn't cheat on his wife, he doesn't pick fights, he doesn't demand better this or that. I really think you have misjudged him. Please reconsider because you can't find a more decent and down to earth guy - in the martial arts world than Don. One last thing, I know a lot of famous people, so I am not star-struck by Don. I knew him when he was a little fish in a big pond and I knew his kung fu students. I knew what they thought of him and I saw how he treated them. I honestly cannot think of a single time I thought he was too big for his britches.

@scottforrester8007

Жыл бұрын

@@BarryHarrellKZread I don’t know him my friend I’m just going by the posts he does, he probably is a lovely guy I just hate when ppl can’t just let all these guys live in peace, these keyboard warriors make ppl like Don have to come out fighting his corner when he is probably a lovely bloke, I would love to have known him as he was some fighter, I just like winners to be humble & laugh of all the bull they listen to every day, I didn’t mean any malice by it Barry & I apologise if it sounded like that, sending those apologies from Scotland 👍

@BarryHarrellYouTube

Жыл бұрын

@@scottforrester8007 Understood and I agree. I hear so many things and usually stay out of it, but I stick up for Don having known him for so long. He's like a big funny dog barreling in and out of a room. Chuck Norris is another one, I've known him for a long time and he is just like anyone else. He's so down to earth that he's cool. He hardly talks but when he does, you can bet it will be funny. Cheers.

@scottforrester8007

Жыл бұрын

@@BarryHarrellKZread I hope you understood what I was meaning Barry, I had no malice meant towards Don, since I broke my back & was unable to do any sports I’ve been a humbled guy myself for 1 I’m alive & 2 I can walk although in pain but that was all I was meaning, I don’t like to diss anyone & I hope it didn’t come across like that, I’ve been picking over what I said since you replied & realise it comes across like that so again accept my apologies & if you see Don again please pass them onto him as well, take life easy & always be safe 👍

I am now an old man , disabled but still able to use my hands,. My son, is still training runs his own gym, . My love to USA, fighters,, and dedicated martial artists, , everywhere, ,, respect to Don, Wilson, and the viking samurai,. Protect your selves, your families, and others, who need your help and guidance, respect all brothers and sisters, ,.. Carry on even, when disabled, . . In life , ,, , there are many things you can still do, . , respect... To all that train,. Love your videos.

Respect to both Don Wilson and Dennis Alexio for being legends in the kickboxing world

Can he move like me? *curl juice flying everywhere* No! We got him!

@Markbell73

Жыл бұрын

Legs 🦵? The guy was kicking one of these things with his fricken leg, and the plaster waa falling down.... Jean-Claude mouth noises!

@lordmatthewlukeobrien

Жыл бұрын

Watch your wallet!

@tcb6857

Жыл бұрын

​@@lordmatthewlukeobrien she doesn't want my wallet, she wants to make it with the champ!

@shelydon78

Жыл бұрын

LOL on the curl juice flying everywhere

@InsideTheStadium

3 ай бұрын

🤣😂 🤣😂🤣

Sad to hear about Denis being in jail. My dad was friends with him when k was a kid and he was one of the main reasons I got into martial arts to begin with. He recommended the school I ended up going to. We used to go watch him at the super fights in Denver all the time. Still awesome memories having him teach me a thing or two :)

@DragonLee777

Жыл бұрын

Wow why did he go to jail for and when did he go

@chapel8818

Жыл бұрын

@@DragonLee777 since 2016, for tax fraud and money laundering :/ is really sad

@mixalis6168

Жыл бұрын

He was a thief ! He was destroyed by stan the man, he was just a loud mouth !

@chapel8818

Жыл бұрын

@@mixalis6168 lol a loud mouth with two losses. People always got something to say 🙄 but he most definitely was a thief apparently.

@michaeldawson6565

Жыл бұрын

​@@mixalis6168 sounds like u no nothing

Don Wilson and Viking Samurai are amazing together!

@BearsFanGoomba

Жыл бұрын

Agreed very entertaining

Don was a true 'Don.' I always took him for granted watching his movies, especially later on when they became very family friendly. Never knew he was a real-life bad ass. Thanks for all these interviews!! These legends deserve their flowers while alive.

Don Wilson was an absolute beast. If you didn't have good consciousness to protect your legs, you were getting chopped down with those savage thigh kicks. I remember seeing a fight where he went up against a boxer. Poor guy had no idea what he was in for. Like Terry Silver said in Karate Kid III: "If a man can't stand, he can't fight."

@kennethmanuputty9865

Жыл бұрын

He got it from the Dutch kickboxers! The best kickboxers coming from Holland! Ending every punch with a lowkick is "Dutch" style!

@user-hb6ej1vz6v

Жыл бұрын

Viking says anyone can lose a fight!This is faulty logic because though it's true that a pro fighter can lose against another that is evenly matched it don't mean he'd lose to a 4 year old just as he wouldn't lose to an actor. (Wow, who would have thought that a trained fighter wouldn't lose to a toddler or an actor pretending to be a fighter? Mind blown!)

Back in '94, a guy I worked with told me about Don Wilson fighting with a 105 temperature and knocking the guy out. Hearing Don reminded me of that.

@bubaba8938

9 ай бұрын

That seems to be his normal body temprature

I discussed this fight with Dennis back in 1996. I approached him about doing his wedding video and got Mel Cabang, a local legend Comedian here in Hawaii, which I did and Mel Cabang and Pat Morita performed. Mel was the headliner. I had several meetings with him about how to do the wedding. And we discussed the fight he had with Don. Dennis claimed he beat him, and he was all over him during the fight. He was really mad when he was talking about it. But he never said anything bad about Don and had a lot of respect for him and said it was one of his earlier fights in his career. Mel and I got tickets to his fights here in Hawaii from time to time. The wedding was beautiful Pat and Mel performed flawlessly. Pat was a huge fan of Mel Cabang.

Ooooh that's brilliant. Don vs Alexio was a great fight

"So what!!...a kick is a kick..a punch is a punch..can he move like me?" "You see that kid?.....power!" "Go and get me some ice"

I’ve watched the Don Wilson, Dennis Alexio fight and it was epic, now I gotta go back and watch it again. Also, I love that he mentioned Randall Cobb, who was a kickboxer and a boxer who fought Larry Holmes and lost via decision. Randall Cobb also was in several movies; Raising Arizona, Uncommon Valor, and several episodes of Walker Texas Ranger.

@angelripper_420

Жыл бұрын

And Fletch lives

@gwencrawford737

4 ай бұрын

Yeah... and Tex Cobb was great on camera in interviews, and a pretty down-to-earth, humble, blue-collar kind of guy. One TOUGH guy, too. That fight with Homes was brutal, and at no point, was Cobb anything less than out-classed. BUT... He hung with Holmes anyway and finished the fight on his feet. Let's face it. He took an absolute ass-kicking, that would've stopped a lot of top-shelf Heavyweights, and went the distance!! And he still had all his marbles after the pounding he took! LORD he was TOUGH to be able to do that!

@robertnguyen9493

4 ай бұрын

@@gwencrawford737 very true, Holmes walked away from the fight with the victory and respect for Cobb. Also, if you’ve never seen Uncommon Valor, it’s an underrated classic.

My second favorite fight of all time. Loved this fight wish there had been a rematch. Thanks so much for brining us this content. Love the channel.

Couldn’t even walk *inserts scene of Eric being carried out on a stretcher* 😂😂😂😂 perfection!

Great interview! I used to watch Don 'The Dragon' Wilson movies when I used be in my college days, and really enjoyed them! The fight scenes were well choreographed realistic, too!

Dennis Alexio needs an interview

@zxzxddxxdgrddgtrdew1784

4 ай бұрын

Good luck with that. He's in jail

@damiongonzalez8931

2 ай бұрын

Yes he definitely does for sure a good man I been with him a few years now and his stories are amazing the man is great

Always enjoy the Don content. Thanks for another great interview.

Hell yea this was my question thanks for addressing it!!!! I'm the one who only through speculation I heard Don didn't want to do the rematch. I also asked for a video discussion about the state of Dennis being in jail now that would be interesting topic and possibly somehow getting ahold of him.

Never knew much about Don Wilson until your show. Thanks for introducing those of us who didn't know to who appears to be a great guy.

To be fair, I think Alexio had the potential to do well in K1 as well.

From my understanding, Dennis didn’t want to fight lighter and Don didn’t want to fight heavier. Both are warriors but I think Dennis was far better in terms of speed and power. Don seem to smell his weak knees, so I wouldn’t rule him out either. Don is more of a thoughtful fighter, but Dennis is like a machine.

I actually miss the old waist-up, full-contact ruleset. It produced some fun fights and opened guys up to getting creative with their kicking.

Great interview! Don is always so on point with the details.

Another great video buddy. You're making this happen. I think this fight is going to happen and you made it possible. I told you man you were on your way and here you are. Let's talk soon buddy

Viking Samurai you are going from strength to strength with your videos, exellent content as always. You look in such good shape and its so refreshing to hear from these legends of the fighting genre. Brilliant.👍💪. Thanks.

Dennis Alexio was a great fighter would you like to interview him Viking Samurai?

@Makedonce1989.

Жыл бұрын

I think he is in jail not sure if he is out it would be great if Viking could get him too

@VikingSamurai

Жыл бұрын

I very much would!

@turboterminator7

Жыл бұрын

@@Makedonce1989. yes I know he was in jail a few years ago hopefully he is out now 👍

@turboterminator7

Жыл бұрын

@@VikingSamurai would make a great interview

@korvstopparen

Жыл бұрын

@@VikingSamurai Try to get some of the old K1 dudes, not only the winners. Guys like Longnidis and Roufus for example

I remeber wanting to see a movie with Don and Phillip Rhee. Hell even a match in their prime

Absolutely awesome interview

Love this Channel Man!

Dennis Alexio was right to not take that fight. And he was also right that it wasn’t professional.

I'm definitely interested in losing additional weight and building more lean muscle. Thank you for being an inspiration @Viking Samurai

I got a chance to go to an exhibition match of Don the Dragon Wilson in Danville Kentucky. He seemed like a really nice guy, and he still performed really well despite having retired from fighting many years earlier.

Great videos, great channel, also the test is strong in this one..lol, good job

Great Episode, Don Wilson is a true warrior and a true champion. I got to meet him and he told me this account personally. If there was an award for best content in videos, you would win hands down with all this content. All the best to you my friend.

@VikingSamurai

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Luis, I'm definitely trying my best to get this great content out there!

Love this interview.

Hello, Viking Samurai. I'm not sure what happened to my last comment, but Thanks, for doing this interview. I didn't know about all these details. Only thing i knew was, they fought, not the rest of it. TERRANCE OUT

I didn't know Don Wilson was a real-life professional competitor. 😱

@VikingSamurai

Жыл бұрын

Really?! Lol

Don's Karate Tournament that i have mentioned before in Los Angeles back in late 96 early 97 he was being interviewed. I believe he was asked a question about inner strength. He mentioned that while being champion; he was @ one time going thru a Divorce and another time fighting while being sick and being able to find inner strength. Something along the lines. Now hearing him mention the Alexio fight while he was sick. It must have been that fight. Don truly a Kick Boxing Legend with his style in Kung Fu.

Love this channel it is freekin awesome

This made my Friday thank you.

@VikingSamurai

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it.

@jamesvaughn4126

Жыл бұрын

I did

There is no one else who gets to the bottom of rumors and conspiracies evolving martial artists.

I started watching this. Realized I never watched the Alexio-Wilson fight. Pulled it up on KZread then remembered I didn't comment 1st. Cause I was! Now I'm 100th and still have 35 more minutes of the fight to watch! 😂

Your channel is like my stack of 70-90's Era of blackbelt magazines come to life 😂 Great interviews,Oss 👊

@VikingSamurai

Жыл бұрын

Lol, glad you enjoy it!

This channel rocks!

Rob Kaman said the only Americans fighters he respected were Don Wilson and Rick Roufus because they truly were skilled and tough.

Hey Viking..awesome upload. I have a suggesstion. You used a clip of Dennis Alexio getting kicked by Tong Po. At that moment the one actor says...Thats gotta hurt! You should track that actor down for an interview. Would be intresting.

Would definitely like to see Don back in action again 👍

Thanks , Barry , I have been intrigued by This article and now Seeing OFM is IN. This has gone to a new level . What if ?

These videos are great! The more I learn about Don, the more I like him. Can't imagine fighting a championship fight with the flu. True champ! Met Don a few years ago at the opening of a martial arts museum. Super nice guy.

Kickboxing was a crazy sport. There were all sorts of "World Championship" straps going around - fighters won the belts to gain recognition, then when they have enough credibility - it's THE NAME that's important... People on the street couldn't tell you who the ISKA Light-Heavyweight Champion was, but when you mention the name - Don The Dragon Wilson or a Dennis Alexio then you know you're talking about real serious fighters... And a tough night for anybody...

"Eric, don't do it! These guy is crazy! These guy was kicking one of this support beam loose, jeapordizing the structural integrity of the arena!" "Hey kid, my spine's stronger than some measly support beam"

looks like you have another winner viking.....great interview

@VikingSamurai

Жыл бұрын

Thanks man, I have 2 more videos from this latest interview I'll get out in the future!

JUST watched this fight. And it was a hell of a fight. Both of them did a great job. Don was leg kicking Dennis hard, over and over again, you could tell those leg kicks were really effecting him. But Dennis held his own, he got Don good a handful of times. It was a fun fight to watch. I was on the edge of my seat.

Viking samurai another great video love to see chuck norris on the channel some point bet he got some great stories to tell

Your a great motivation to us all

Great video as always! Man you gotta get Bill Wallace on here soon. I'm a big Super Foot Fan! 👍

I can listen to Don Wilson talk about kickboxing for hours. Great Video!

Dennis alexio was young. U can see the difference in the movie kickboxer with van dam...He's much bigger and looks more seasoned...

You got to love Don every time i see the guy on here just the way he talks in all his interviews you can tell he's so full of energy hell then most 20 something year olds in better shape to then most and still hold his own in a match with one 😂 just a all around full of life full of energy kind of guy just like he was in the ring all those years.

I was the PKA representative at the Wilson vs JYT fight in Canada. Great fight great fighters.

@wizerdjuice9589

Жыл бұрын

@@JoseGonzalez-gg6rs not that I know of.

Whatever the truth may, or may not be, ...that...was a HELL of a fight....no question..!!!

That was a great fight. Don and Dennis gave a terrific show all rounds. Both tough sob's

I appreciated this from Don. Much respect ⚔💯 True Martial Arts legend.

Great story man!.

Dam Viking Samurai nice double bicep pose. Jacked lol.

I sparred with both Alexio and Wilson back in the 80's. Don is a great person and great Champion

personally, i take great entertainment from the different manner of talking Don has depending on the subject. He is alway pretty much “matter-of-fact” in his mannerisms, but when he is on the subject of one Frank Dux, his volume and tone change and it’s clearly a different subject matter for him

Denis an Don are champs. That would be awesome if you could get Denis on the channel. Maybe Denis will want a rematch with tong po?

Viking samurai can You do a video on Don the dragon Wilson fighting style,I have heard that his style is Dragon style kung fu and that is why he is called dragón. But im not sure magazines at the time would write anything to make a sale.

Viking Samurai. Is it possible to cover the movie Shootfighter like you have done Bloodsport?

@VikingSamurai

Жыл бұрын

It's a good idea.. I know someone who was involved in it, so I'll do a future video with him.

@onlythestrong8659

Жыл бұрын

@@VikingSamurai Thank you. I will be looking forward to it.

I bet DA is still feeling those leg kicks

good video and good info on Dennis Alexio 😎

Super Cool memories, Don is telling it right! I did not like the leg kicks, so I circled more reversing directions, figure eight. The Fighter’s I looked up to at the time, was Benny the Jet, Bill Wallace, Chuck Noris, Don Wilson. Because my School was in Pittsburgh PA and these Great fighters were on the west Coast, I worked out with More Boxer’s then Karate People. Always had an open Door and I would fight anyone that would come in! I truly loved to fight!

Wow . What an amazing story

As always Viking samurai man, your interviews are always fun to watch boss, can you invite Dennis on your show, maybe get his side of things too? Your one guy who I know practically lives by that standard of getting all sides of the story on your channel, if anybody can make it happen it's you.

@VikingSamurai

Жыл бұрын

I'd very much like too.. I think he's still in prison, but perhaps they'd let him do a Zoom interview

@john-hu6tt

Жыл бұрын

@@VikingSamurai oh shit, that's right, that IRS problem with him and his old lady, I completely forgot abouy that. Well, who knows maybe some time in the near future. Anyways boss keep up the good work.

@straightpunchboxing

Жыл бұрын

I too was going to bring this up and saw John mentioning it. Hopefully, one day, somehow, you maybe able to get Dennis on. Or at least have you thought about writing him and asking to post his answers? That could be cool. If im not mistaken, i believe hes at a facility in AZ and should be getting out before the decade ends.

I try not to click on these videos because if I do the whole day will just disappear!

Dennis Alexio vs. Stan Longinidis. Dennis suffered a broken leg in about 7 seconds in the fight.

Kudo's to DTDW mentioning Stan the Man, as an aussie kickboxing fan Stan was god in the 90's Thighs bigger than oak trees. Two aussie greats Stan the man and Slammin Sam Greco both ruled the school when it came to Aussie Kickboxing back in the day. Dav you should hit up Stan for an interview -fought many Americans over in the US including Maurice Smith, im sure you'd appreciate his insight.

Very cool story🤟

Why was Don never in the UFC ?

Don is a true Legend. Far to understated and far to underestimated. I grew up idolising fighters like Don, Chuck, Benny.. Even over here in jolly old England in the 80s and early 90s we got hold of the grainy old VHS tapes of Full Contact Karate, PKA kickboxing etc.

Great interview, and Video. Question : Have You seen the Movie: Everything Everywhere All at Once??? Some great martial arts choreography in it....also a crazy movie. Only problem is it's English, and (I believe) Mandarin, or Cantonese 🤷‍♂️ So some close caption reading on , and off. Again Great Video 👍😁👍

@brockgangell5759

Жыл бұрын

Its a brilliant film imo

@VikingSamurai

Жыл бұрын

I have not seen that yet.

@jamesfetcho6315

Жыл бұрын

@@brockgangell5759 Agreed 👍

Later Dennis gained weight and power so he was called terminator and he was the champion. Look at his body and shape in kickboxer movie. That was awesome. He was crashing and smashing his opponents. And for sure if Van Damme would have continued his sport career he could kick many asses as well.

I was there when Stan destroyed Dennis. I was expecting a war and was so disappointed.

The word "Shock" is OVERUSED on KZread-----and Greatly exaggerated!

Wilson won by 3 points. That was a very close fight. But you could see Don was lax due to the flu. It was pretty obvious he was taking it easy. He wasn't as dynamic as he usually was. I 110% believe Alexio couldn't walk after that. He was limping in the ring. He literally had no idea how to kick block or plainly block those leg kicks. Too much boxer in him at that point. He just kept taking it. Great match. It was a pleasure to watch.

I remember watching him fight in Hawaii, he wore a ti-leaf skirt in the ring too. He is such a heavy hitter and kicker that I thought in those matches where he wore the ti-leaf skirt, it gave him an even bigger advantage during the fight. His opponents would not be able to anticipate his hard hitting kicks because it would get hidden by the skirt. You would not be able to see his knee movements giving you a warning that he is about to kick. I didn't think he needed that added advantage as he was already a very powerful fighter. Used to see him sometimes at Starbucks, that dude was so thick. Scary.

Hold up... Don Wilson beat the same Maurice Smith that fought in the UFC???😮😮

What an absolute beast to fight like that; either just after having the flu or still being at the tail end of it. That wouldn’t only complete drain him physically, he would also have it on his mind that he’s not ready, and it would have meant he had virtually zero light sparring or workouts leading up the fight. Even still, he beat Alexio fairly easily. A perfectly healthy Don Wilson fighting Alexio at the same weight really wouldn’t even be much of a fight. Seven pounds might not seem like a lot to many people, but it is a MASSIVE advantage in combat sports. To make weight, Alexio would have to cut seven pounds of water weight, which would have depleted him even worse than having the flu.

Don's side of the story seems to hold weight based on the facts. Just my opinion, but I have little doubt if Don was not sick AND Dennis dropped the extra weight, Don would have easily beat Dennis in a re-match. This was a very good video.

U should film urself doin spinning heal kick to unscrew a bottle cap bet u can do it

Dude I drove a 2010 Honda civic and have zero jealousy for that.

No Don because of the high pressure in air planes you can't fly with hematoma on legs

he pulled out of going for a meal with Chuck Norris and lived to tell the tail

Frank and Alexio have something in common. No one has ever heard of the people they fought. 😅 however, to Alexio's credit, the footage of his fights wasn't stolen by a break in that there is no real record of.

Don Wilson doesn’t fear anyone. People saying he was afraid is just pitiful.

I do 1 set to failure, best gains i ever got. 30 minutes workout

Dennis the Menace vs Mr. Wilson.

Alexio was right. He doesn't fight for free.