Bill Taylor (Martial artist)
Encyclopedia
Bill Taylor, Shichidan, (7th dan) in the Wado-Ryu style of karate
and world ranked Kickboxer in the bantam weight division from 1981 to 1988.
school in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
. Taylor started training with Bill Herzer
who also trained under Newton Harris. In 1974, Herzer took over the Bushido School of Karate as the owner and Chief Instructor. Taylor earned his Sho-Dan (1st degree Black Belt) under Sensei Herzer in 1978. He was promoted to Roku-Dan (6th degree Black Belt) in 1995 and his Sichi-Dan (7th degree Black Belt) in 2003.
In September 1975, Taylor was able to work out under the direct supervision of Hironori Ōtsuka, the founder and Grandmaster of the Wado-Ryu style of karate
. In pursuing Wado-Ryu he went to Tokyo, Japan in 1994 to work out under the direct supervision of Hironori Ōtsuka II, the present Wado Ryu Grandmaster of Wado-Ryu at Meiji University. Taylor has also studied under Tatsuo Suzuki
and Masafumi Shiomitsu (8th degree Black Belt). He continued to train under Sensei Cecil T. Patterson
until his death in 2000.
Up until 1980, Taylor competed in amateur point Karate tournaments, which included wins at both The Battle of Nashville and The Battle of Atlanta. After that, Bill Taylor began pursuing a professional kickboxing career and stopped competing in point tournaments.
career began in 1980 as a result of his success in Karate tournaments. "My trainer, Mr. Bill Herzer
, worked me very hard, and I sparred many rounds with Tennessee Light Heavyweight Champ, and stable mate, Sam Youree." He also trained under Asa Gordon in Atlanta, Georgia. He trained with notables such as Jerry Rhome, Jerry Trimble
, U. S. Champion Richard Jackson, Bill Wallace (martial arts)
, Joe Lewis (martial artist), and Don "The Dragon" Wilson.
In 1979, Bill Taylor began boxing with Sheriff Fate Thomas's boxing team. Fellow team members included notable Pugilists such as Silver medal Olympian Clinton Jackson
, the head coach, Jerome Coffee
and future world champion Johnny Bumphus
.
In 1980, Taylor competed in his first contact match in Atlanta, Georgia at 18 years of age. He won by a second round knock-out. He went on to win two state titles and attain a number two world ranking in the bantam weight division. Taylor's record at retirement is 24 wins, 6 defeats with 7 knockouts.
In 1988, Taylor represented the United States in his weight class for the Panama Jack International Kickboxing Team. To his credit, Taylor has coached world class kickboxer Thomas Chesterfield, the current (1995) North American Welterweight Champion.
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
and world ranked Kickboxer in the bantam weight division from 1981 to 1988.
As a Martial artist
In 1973, Bill Taylor began studying Wado-Ryu under Newton Harris at the Bushido School of Karate. At the time it was the first and only karateKarate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
school in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Murfreesboro is a city in and the county seat of Rutherford County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 108,755 according to the United States Census Bureau's 2010 U.S. Census, up from 68,816 residents certified during the 2000 census. The center of population of Tennessee is located in...
. Taylor started training with Bill Herzer
Bill Herzer
Bill Herzer, Nanadan, in the Wado-Ryu style of karate.Bill Herzer originally from Alexandria, Virginia moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee in 1965, to attend MTSU. Herzer completed his Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1973 and his Masters in Biology in 1975...
who also trained under Newton Harris. In 1974, Herzer took over the Bushido School of Karate as the owner and Chief Instructor. Taylor earned his Sho-Dan (1st degree Black Belt) under Sensei Herzer in 1978. He was promoted to Roku-Dan (6th degree Black Belt) in 1995 and his Sichi-Dan (7th degree Black Belt) in 2003.
In September 1975, Taylor was able to work out under the direct supervision of Hironori Ōtsuka, the founder and Grandmaster of the Wado-Ryu style of karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
. In pursuing Wado-Ryu he went to Tokyo, Japan in 1994 to work out under the direct supervision of Hironori Ōtsuka II, the present Wado Ryu Grandmaster of Wado-Ryu at Meiji University. Taylor has also studied under Tatsuo Suzuki
Tatsuo Suzuki
was the founder and head of the WIKF and held the 8th dan in Wadō-ryū karate. He died at his home on 12th July 2011.- External links:* Professor Tatsuo Suzuki 8th dan hanshi...
and Masafumi Shiomitsu (8th degree Black Belt). He continued to train under Sensei Cecil T. Patterson
Cecil T. Patterson
Cecil T. Patterson , among America’s earliest karateka, introduced the Wado-Ryu style of karate into the Eastern United States in 1958...
until his death in 2000.
Up until 1980, Taylor competed in amateur point Karate tournaments, which included wins at both The Battle of Nashville and The Battle of Atlanta. After that, Bill Taylor began pursuing a professional kickboxing career and stopped competing in point tournaments.
As a Kickboxer
Taylor's professional KickboxingKickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
career began in 1980 as a result of his success in Karate tournaments. "My trainer, Mr. Bill Herzer
Bill Herzer
Bill Herzer, Nanadan, in the Wado-Ryu style of karate.Bill Herzer originally from Alexandria, Virginia moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee in 1965, to attend MTSU. Herzer completed his Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1973 and his Masters in Biology in 1975...
, worked me very hard, and I sparred many rounds with Tennessee Light Heavyweight Champ, and stable mate, Sam Youree." He also trained under Asa Gordon in Atlanta, Georgia. He trained with notables such as Jerry Rhome, Jerry Trimble
Jerry Trimble
Jerry Foster Trimble, Jr. is an American actor, stuntman, writer, and World Champion.-Early life:At 15 Jerry was inspired by the late Bruce Lee and began studying the Korean art of Taekwon-Do. In six months he began teaching it. At 16 he earned the rank of first-degree black belt and became the...
, U. S. Champion Richard Jackson, Bill Wallace (martial arts)
Bill Wallace (martial arts)
William "Bill" Louis Wallace is an American martial artist who was a Professional Karate Association world full- contact karate champion. He was the Professional Karate Association Middleweight Champion kickboxer for almost six years.- Background :Wallace was born in Portland, Indiana, and...
, Joe Lewis (martial artist), and Don "The Dragon" Wilson.
In 1979, Bill Taylor began boxing with Sheriff Fate Thomas's boxing team. Fellow team members included notable Pugilists such as Silver medal Olympian Clinton Jackson
Clinton Jackson
Clint Jackson is a former American boxer, who competed on behalf of the U.S. in the 1976 Summer Olympics.-Amateur highlights:*1974 National AAU Welterweight Champion...
, the head coach, Jerome Coffee
Jerome Coffee
Jerome Coffee is a former American boxer.-Amateur career:Coffee had an outstanding amateur career and won several national championships, including:...
and future world champion Johnny Bumphus
Johnny Bumphus
Johnny 'Bump City' Bumphus , is a former boxer who was world light welterweight champion.-Professional career:...
.
In 1980, Taylor competed in his first contact match in Atlanta, Georgia at 18 years of age. He won by a second round knock-out. He went on to win two state titles and attain a number two world ranking in the bantam weight division. Taylor's record at retirement is 24 wins, 6 defeats with 7 knockouts.
In 1988, Taylor represented the United States in his weight class for the Panama Jack International Kickboxing Team. To his credit, Taylor has coached world class kickboxer Thomas Chesterfield, the current (1995) North American Welterweight Champion.