PKA Worldwide Signs First Fighter as Taekwondo Champion Julio Cesar Carlos Joins Burgeoning Kickboxing Organization

NEW YORK – September 20, 2022 – PKA WORLDWIDE, the legendary pioneers of American-style kickboxing, have kicked off their long-awaited comeback with the signing of six-time World Taekwondo Champion and Queens native Julio Cesar Carlos, the first fighter in officially ink a pact with the fast-growing organization.

“Julio Cesar Carlos is world class both in and out of the ring and is the epitome of what PKA WORLDWIDE is all about,” said Joe Corley, CEO of PKA WORLDWIDE. “We are delighted to make him our first signing as we make our grand re-entry into the field of combat sports. I was impressed to see him compete and inspired by the work he has put in to reach this level. Most importantly, we know fans are going to love the action it brings to the PKA attack cage.”

“It is an honor to be chosen for this opportunity,” said Carlos. “I am going to show everyone that PKA WORLDWIDE made the right decision. Joe Corley and his team know the talent. Once they saw me doing what I do in the ring, they knew I was on another level. This is a privilege, but it’s also exactly where I belong.”

Carlos was born and raised in Queens, New York, and recently gained recognition for his unique workout outdoors in his hometown cityscape (profiled by PIX 11 News HERE). The 31-year-old began training in Taekwondo at just four years old, motivated to keep up with his older brother Emanuel. Under the guidance of Master William Perlaza, Carlos won his first of six world Taekwondo championships with a Junior division title at age 17 in 2009. He would go on just two years later with his first championship in the senior division.

Born to a Mexican father and a Colombian mother, he found early success turning to kickboxing, winning all four of his amateur contests. After winning three straight fights competing in Montreal, Carlos caught the eye of the PKA at a recent event at Madison Square Garden before shining in an open tryout in New York.

“I have been doing my thing through Taekwondo since I was four years old,” said Carlos. “I dominated the lightweight division for years, but there came a time during the pandemic where my coach and I realized that we had done our best in Taekwondo. We were looking for the next challenge and kickboxing knocked on my door. Now I am ready to prove myself against the best and show everyone what I am capable of achieving.”

Once a staple of televised combat sports in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and a forerunner of today’s modern hybrid fighting styles, PKA and its CEO Corley are often credited as one of the founding fathers of modern MMA. Corley first introduced professional kickboxing to the public nearly 50 years ago with an “Americanized” style in which opponents can hit each other with punches and kicks above the waist. However, elbows, knees, clinch fights and holds are prohibited.

Launched in 1974, the PKA garnered huge national audiences on ABC, CBS and NBC and formed long-standing broadcast partnerships with cable giants ESPN and SHOWTIME while producing more than 1,000 hours of unforgettable televised action.

Now, PKA WORLDWIDE is back and better than ever and on a mission to find the world’s most dangerous strikers, starting with their first signing, Julio César Carlos.

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer and Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. He is passionate about combat sports and also hosts a podcast for Sitting Ringside. He is also a former MMA Fighter and Kickboxer.

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