We asked 7  legendary kickboxing promoters and champions to give us their opinion on the world’s greatest kickers in the ring or full contact era. The response spanned 7 decades of the greatest kickers who gave it their all!

List in Alphabetical Order:

BuaKaw

Mirko Cro Cop

Peter Cunningham

Raymond Daniels

Demetrius Havanas

Brad Hefton

Andy Hug 

Rick Roufus

Bill Wallace

Mike Warren

Raymond Daniels a force across all sports made multiple lists.

Bill "Superfoot" Wallace made multiple lists and will go on to be known as one of the world’s greatest kickers.

Scott Coker 

Bellator/K1/Strikeforce

Peter Cunningham was one of the greats with amazing combinations and kicking skills. Cro Cop was just pure devastation with his kicks. However a BuaKaw may be one the greatest of all time. The Muay Thai champion boasts a record of  243-24 74KOs

• BuaKaw

• Peter Cunnigham

• Mirko Cro Cop

BuaKaw Sombat Banchamek is a former two-time Omnoi Stadium champion, Lumpinee Stadium Toyota Marathon champion, former number 1-ranked fighter in Lumpinee Stadium, Thailand Featherweight champion, two-time K-1 World MAX champion and 2011 & 2012 Thai Fight tournament champion. He is regarded as one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters of all time.

Peter Cunnigham handled his business in both Full Contact and Muay Thai, and retired with an amazing record of 53-1 

Graciella Casillas Undefeated World Champion 

Boxer and Kickboxer 

I've had the privilege of training and observing some of the finest in the ring. When it comes to kicking, three fighters stand out in my memory. Of course, there's Bill Wallace, legendary in his own right. Then there's the remarkable Howard Jackson, whose skills were truly exceptional. But there's also one fighter who might have faded from memory for some: Demetrius Havanas, hailing from Texas. His life was tragically cut short, but his prowess, particularly in kicking, was unforgettable. Demetrius was remarkable, especially considering his size, and his kicking technique was simply extraordinary. And of course Andy Hug who’s time passed too quickly. 

• Bill Wallace

• Demetrius Havanas

• Andy Hug

Demetrius “The Greek” Havanas, 1950-1981, seen with Chuck Norris was one of the greatest kickboxers and most feared fighters ever to hail from Texas. Even though he stood only 5’7” he took on opponents much larger with tremendous success. In 1975, entering full-contact competition, he won the PKA U.S. Welterweight Championship. He amassed a record of 39-4 with 24 knockouts, and the Star System ranked him number-one world welterweight contender in 1980-81.

Andreas "Andy" Hug (7 September 1964 – 24 August 2000) was a Swiss karateka and kickboxer who competed in the heavyweight division. Considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxers of all time. A southpaw, his trademark kicks included the axe kick and the "Hug Tornado", a low spinning heel kick targeting his opponents' thighs.

Jeff Smith

World KickBoxing Champion

World Champion Jeff Smith has seen it all from the early days to the present, but his list was clear. Michael Warren, a fighter from the 60s-70s full contact point era, he was a marvel to watch with his Tae Kwon Do skills. Wallace ahead of his time and kudos to Raymond Daniels who can do it all!

• Mike Warren

• Bill Wallace 

• Raymond Daniels

Michael Warren was the unsung champion of his era, starting at age 16 fighting men twice his age, during his point reign beating fighters like Bill Wallace, Albert Cheeks and Joe Hayes, the Tae Kwon Do athlete and fighter was legendary and considered one of the greatest of his era. 

Mike Sawyer 

Promoter

Co-Founder of the ISKA and successful promoter of nearly 40 years Mike Sawyer has a unique view from the front row.  

This is based on how effectively they used their kicks under all circumstances. Many bouts ended with kick KO’s, especially of lower-ranked contenders who they were likely to KO one way or another. Against higher-ranked contenders their kicking versatility, speed and accuracy were used as a second set of hands, with many kicks landing along with punches in a decision win. Even if a KO  were by a punch, many times it was set up by superior kicking skill. 

Roufus and Hefton scored many decisions due to kicking, many kick-KOs, and many TKOs with kicks, even against very high-ranked contenders. Wallace goes without saying. Though his career was short - he retired from Title Defenses early into the 1980’s - it’s accurate to say every opponent he ever faced had to make kick-defense their # 1 priority during their bout.

• Bill Wallace 

• Brad Hefton

• Rick Roufus

Three words described the Heavyweight Kickboxing scene of the 80s “Bad Brad Hefton."

Joe Corley 

Promoter 

Promoter and Fighter who faced Bill Wallace put his former ring nemesis at the top of the list. 

Wallace was amazing simply put. But hats off to Raymond Daniels who crossed over from Point to Kick Boxing to MMA. Finally Michael Warren who’s legacy from over 50 years ago still holds memories today.

• Bill Wallace 

• Raymond Daniels

• Mike Warren

Raymond Daniels is one the few fighters ever to successfully crossover from point karate to kickboxing to MMA.

Cory Schafer 

President ISKA

As president of one of the largest and most respected kickboxing sanctioning bodies in the world, Corey Schaefer has stood witness and presided over more kickboxing events than  probably anyone on the planet. His list of greatest kickers read legendary. 

• Bill Wallace

• Andy Hug

• Mirko Cro Cop 

Mirko Cro Cop's signature move was his lightning-quick left high roundhouse kick, once famously described as "right leg, hospital; left leg, cemetery." He was a successful amateur boxer and medalled numerous times in international competition, and was also a member of Croatia's world team when he competed at the 1997 Amateur Boxing World Championships.

Hillary Sandoval 

Promoter

I was fortunate to witness a great era in kickboxing promoting 23 world title fights.  When it comes to the best kickers. Wallace, Roufus and Daniels are the three greats from three eras.

• Bill Wallace

• Rick Roufus

• Raymond Daniels

Nicknamed "the Jet," Rick Rufous left an incredible legacy during his long run inside the ring.

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