Van Damme Receives Kick Back From Chuck Norris -

(Newswire.net — December 20, 2013) Portland, OR — Besides being a science fiction geek, I have also been engrossed by martial arts movies. Not being a practioner myself, I have often been captivated by the portrayed skills of individuals.

It seems like every generation has a new “kung fu master”, or whatever the skill may be.

So the classic argument is “Who would win in a bout between Van Damme and Norris?”

Here are the two videos so you can compare.

Van Damme			Chuck Norris

Fighting Careers Compared

Jean-Claude retired from martial arts in 1982, following a knockout over Nedjad Gharbi in Brussels,Belgium. Jean-Claude posted a 18-1 (18 knockouts) Kickboxing record, and a Semi-Contact record of 41-4.

Chuck Norris had an outstanding karate tournament career from 1964 until his retirement in 1974. His tournament record is estimated to be 183-10-2, though opinions often vary on this to a significant degree. He won at least 30 tournaments.

Norris was the former World Professional Middleweight Karate Champion, a belt that he held for six years. Along the way, he defeated karate greats like Allen Steen, Joe Lewis, Arnold Urquidez, and Louis Delgado.

I have enjoyed each artists movies all along.

But I have to admit that Bruce Lee would kick both of their a**es, maybe at the same time. Second place is for Mr. Norris (sorry Chuck. Please don’t hunt me down and hurt me).

In an article by Norris, “Facing the Giant”, Norris praised Lee.

Through the years one of the questions I’ve been asked most has been, ”What was it like to fight Bruce Lee?” Of course we never actually fought off-screen, because Bruce didn’t compete with me in professional tournaments. We did, however, periodically spar. Believe it or not, it was fun! I can say that because Bruce and I were friends, and we deeply respected each other as masters of martial arts.

In a way, Bruce gave me my first movie break in 1968, when he was the stunt coordinator for the ”Wrecking Crew,” starring Dean Martin. My part was a fight scene with Dean, preceded by one whole line of dialogue!

In 1972, Bruce was directing ”Return of the Dragon” and wanted me to be in it. ”I want you to be my opponent. We’ll have a fight in the Coliseum in Rome,”

Bruce said with excitement. ”Two gladiators in a fight to the death! Best of all, we can choreograph it ourselves. I promise you the fight will be the highlight of the film.”

”Great,” I said, ”Who wins?”

”I do,” Bruce said with a laugh. ”I’m the star!”

”Oh you’re going to beat up on the current world karate champion?”

”No,” said Bruce. ”I’m going to kill the current world karate champion.”

I laughed and agreed to do the movie, after gaining twenty pounds at his request (he wanted me to look more formidable as his opponent)