Chuck Norris is known worldwide for his action movies and his genius in the martial arts. Norris has black belts in five systems. Moreover, he also has several karate titles. However, even though he played and practiced several physical sports, there is an old style of boxing which he considered to be extremely brutal and even potentially life threatening.
While speaking with Dick Cavett on his show, Chuck Norris revealed his opinion and experience on an ancient sport. What sport were they talking about? And what did Norris say about sports?
Chuck Norris revealed his take on the old style of boxing
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On ‘The Dick Cavett Show’ Cavett talked about Thai boxing. At the time, he had recently witnessed live sport at a camp for the first time and was stunned at the level of fear. Therefore, Cavett asked Norris what he thought of it.
In response, Norris said, “It’s a brutal sport, Thai boxing, you know, the average length of a professional athlete in Thai boxing is about five years, and I mean they start young, so usually their career ends at early 20s. It’s really, you know, when you start using your knees and your elbows and stuff, it’s pretty devastating.
Additionally, Chuck Norris also talked about the difficulties he faced in his Karate World Championship finals, since karate wasn’t as popular or as big as boxing in the 90s or before that.
DIVE DEEPER
Why did Norris say he lost, even after winning the world championship?
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Cavett asked him if he got any special treatment when he went out for dinner or any other activity. Norris humorously answered the question, adding a real-life anecdote from his life in karate.
Norris said, “Do you know how much I got paid for my first world title? Fight here in New York at Madison Square Garden. I won the world champion. I received $1000. Also, I had a broken jaw, which cost me over $1,000 to fix. So I really lost on that even though I won the world title.
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The world of mixed martial arts has come a long way since then. However, Norris revealed a dangerous and previously unknown side to the sport that readers are sure to remember. Have you ever seen Thai boxing? What is your opinion on this ancient sport?
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