Billy Chow

Billy Chow Bei-lei (Chinese: 週比利; born August 24, 1958) is a Hong Kong-Canadian former professional kickboxer and actor. He competed in the Welterweight and Super Welterweight divisions from 1977 to 1992. He was the WKA Super Welterweight champion from 1984 to 1986, and retired with a professional record of 45-0-8.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Chow.
Billy Chow
Born
Bei-lei Chow

(1958-08-24) August 24, 1958
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
NationalityHong Kong
Canadian
Occupation(s)Actor, entrepreneur, kickboxer, martial artist,
Years active1984–present
ResidenceEdmonton, Alberta, Canada
StyleKickboxing
StanceOrthodox
TrainerFrank Lee
Years active1977–1992, 2007
Kickboxing record
Total53
Wins45
By knockout32
Losses8
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese週比利
Simplified Chinese周比利

Chow is known to film audiences for his roles in several Hong Kong martial arts films, including as General Fujita in the 1994 Jet Li film Fist of Legend (1994), and Wong in the 1996 film Tai Chi Boxer (1996).

Biography

Early life

Chow was born in Calgary, Alberta in 1958, and raised in Canada and Hong Kong. He began training in martial arts, initially karate, at the age of 11. He was inspired by Bruce Lee's 1971 film The Big Boss. In 1976, he moved back to Canada for school, where he met Grandmaster Frank Lee in Edmonton, under whom he studied Fujian White Crane kung fu, boxing, American kickboxing, and Muay Thai.

Kickboxing

Chow began competing professionally in 1977. In 1982, he won the Canadian Welterweight Championship. He was the WKA Super Welterweight Champion of the world from 1984 to 1986.[1]

His final match was on November 20, 2007, in which he lost via decision to Akarn Sanehha of Thailand.[2]

He currently trains fighters out of Billy's Gym in Hong Kong, and Frank Lee's Muay Thai in Edmonton.

Acting career

In the 1980s, Chow played an elite soldier in the 1987 film Eastern Condors alongside Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao and Yuen Woo-ping. Chow played thugs in two Jackie Chan movies: Dragons Forever in 1988, and Miracles in 1989.

In the 1990s, Chow had roles in three Jet Li movies: Fist of Legend in 1994 as General Fujita, Meltdown in 1995 as Kong, and Dr. Wai in "The Scripture with No Words" in 1996 as Chan / Japanese Embassy Guard. Chow played Jade Tiger's Brother in the 1995 film Iron Monkey 2 along with Donnie Yen. Chow played Wong, Great Kick of the North in the 1996 film Tai Chi Boxer along with Jacky Wu.

On August 26, 2006, Chow retired from acting at the age of 48, after his final film, Dragon in Fury.

Filmography

Movies

References
  1. Billy Chow Star Profile Archived September 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  2. Billy Chow's Farewell Match HL 周比利告別戰精華 on YouTube
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