Ivan Gene LeBell (born October 9, 1932) is a former American Judo champion, instructor, stunt performer, stunt coordinator, and professional wrestler born in Los Angeles, California. LeBell has worked on over 1,000 films and TV shows, and has authored a number of books.
In 2000, he was promoted to 9th Dan in US Ju-Jitsu and US Taiho-Jutsu by the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF). In 2002, Gene LeBell was promoted to 10th Degree in Judo by Jon Bluming in Holland. In August 7th, 2004 LeBell was promoted to 10th Degree by the World Martial Arts Masters Association. In February 2005, he was promoted to 9th Dan in Traditional Kodokan Judo by the USJJF.
LeBell was a close friend of Bruce Lee, with whom he shared various fighting techniques.
On December 2, 1963 in Salt Lake City, Utah LeBell participated in the first televised mixed martial arts fights in the United States. The fight featured LeBell facing former top ranked middleweight boxer Milo Savage in what was dubbed a “Boxer vs. Judo-Karate Black Belt” challenge match. The bout came about after a writer named Jim Beck made a challenge to any judoka that if they could defeat a boxer he would award them $1000 of his own money. The match was set for five three minute rounds. The rules allowed Savage to use any type of punching techniques of his choosing and LeBell could use any judo or karate techniques with the exception of kicks. Savage was allowed to wear a pair of special speed bag gloves with his fingers not covered (similar to today’s modern MMA gloves) and a karate gi top and boxing shorts. LeBell would wear his judogi and belt. The fight lasted four rounds until LeBell executed a left sided harai goshi on Savage followed by a Maka-komi (landing on his opponent) and then choking him out. Within seconds Savage was unconscious with LeBell being declared the winner. With Savage, being the hometown favorite, losing the crowd began to throw bottles, other debris and chairs into the ring. To prevent a full blown riot hometown hero and rated professional boxer Jay Fullmer (brother of boxers Gene Fullmer and Don Fullmer) entered the ring to congratulate LeBell and avert a riot
Read more about Gene Lebell on wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_LeBell
Watch this funny and interesting clip about gene Lebell
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9mER2BmNRA][/youtube]
