"[5] Though initially trained and primarily known as a karateka, Lewis cross-trained in several other martial arts, including Ryukyu Kenpo, boxing, judo, jeet kune do, tai chi, and folkstyle wrestling.
[citation needed] He studied Shōrin-ryū Karate with Eizo Shimabukuro, John Korab, Chinsaku Kinjo, and Seiyu Oyata while stationed in Okinawa between May 21, 1964, and November 29, 1965, earning his black belt in seven months.
[citation needed] From February 7 to July 14, 1966, he was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, during which he was released from active duty.
From 1967 to 1968, he studied privately with the influential Wing-Chun kung fu teacher, Jeet Kune Do founder, and Chinese/Hollywood movie legend Bruce Lee.
At the 1967 Nationals in Washington, Lewis won the championship by defeating Mitchell Bobrow in the semi-final and beating Frank Hargrove 3–2 in the finals.
At the 'First Professional Karate Tournament' in Dallas, Texas, Lewis won the championship trophy by decisioning Larry Whitner, Phil Ola, and Skipper Mullins.
In February 1968, Lewis, along with Bob Wall, Skipper Mullins, J. Pat Burleson, David Moon, and Fred Wren, fought in the first World Professional Karate Championships (WPKC) promoted by Jim Harrison.
[citation needed] In late 1969, promoter Lee Faulkner contacted Lewis to fight in his upcoming United States Karate Championships.
[citation needed] On June 20, 1970, in Dallas, Texas, Lewis defended his United States Kickboxing Association heavyweight title against "Big" Ed Daniel at the U.S.A. Professional Open Karate Championships, which was promoted by Lee Faulkner and Allen Steen.
Daniels had a background in professional wrestling and amateur boxing as well as a black belt from Lewis' original teacher; he was also a police officer at the time.
On January 24, 1971, at the 2nd Annual United Nations Open Karate Championships, which was promoted by Aaron Banks, Lewis knocked out Ronnie Barkoot.
At another Banks promotion; United States Championship Kickboxing Bouts, Lewis scored a 3rd-round knockout over "Atlas" Jesse King.
[9] During this time, promoter Lee Faulkner unsuccessfully attempted to organize a legitimate "world" title fight between him and a Thai kickboxing champion.
In 1977, Lewis was the martial arts coordinator of the movie Circle of Iron, and continued his acting career by starring in Jaguar Lives in 1978 and Force: Five in 1981.
After neglecting an extended training time[16] to begin his comeback for a title, Lewis defeated T. Morrison by KO, decisioned Charleton Young and Curtis Crandall, and knocked out Melvin Cole.
After cross-training in boxing with Sugar Ray Robinson and Joe Orbillio and then training Jeet Kune Do with Bruce Lee, Lewis gained a unique view on how to handle distance and closing the gap.
His preferred techniques as a full contact karate and kickboxing fighter were his trademark side kick and hook punch,[1] particularly the left, typically delivered in combinations.
He also claimed that it was typical of his style to use low kicks as early as his first kickboxing bout against Greg Baines,[18] and once referred to them as his "main weapon".
[19] Thanks to his background as a wrestler and studying of several types of fighting, such as Shōrin-ryū Karate, Okinawan Kenpo, Judo, Jeet Kune Do, Boxing and Tai Chi, Lewis was a well-rounded fighter.
As a teacher, Lewis was devoted to instructing martial artists in the Five Angles of Attack and other principles, which he learned from Bruce Lee and then modified through his full contact experience.
Due to his role in developing and promoting the sport's first event in the American continent, Lewis is considered to be the "Father of Kickboxing" in the western world, and has also been called "the man who brought us Full Contact Karate."
[26] Ken Masters from the Street Fighter series was based upon Lewis' likeness and career, both being Americans who learned traditional karate styles in Japan then returned home to become United States champion to worldwide acclaim.
Masters' characteristic red uniform and blond hair were patterned after a popular cover in which Joe Lewis appeared sporting that same look.
Lewis is indirectly referenced in a scene from the 2019 Quentin Tarantino film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood when Bruce Lee (played by Mike Moh) refers to him as "[T]hat white kickboxing a--hole."