Johnny Pachivas(1927-2000)

Johnny Pachivas was "The Father of Florida Karate". Pachivas was a 50 year resident of North Miami Beach, Florida where he operated a karate school in which he taught over 10,000 students in his half-a-century career. Pacivas who obtained the rank of Shichidan 7th Degree Black Belt in 1983, was a Hanshi (10th Degree Black Belt) the highest ranking grandmaster of martial arts when he died in 2000. In his legendary career he did it all; fighter, promoter, referee, instructor, bouncer, movie actor, and community service activist. In 1953 he became the self-defense instructor for the than Dade County Police Academy. He was the 5-time Full-Contact Heavyweight Karate Champion of Florida. He promoted the 1987 "exhibition" fight between boxing great Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns and undefeated kick-boxing middleweight champion Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. In 1984 he organized the United States Karate Association World Karate Championships in Miami and his good friend Chuck Norris made an appearance. In North Miami Beach, Pachivas was a "living-legend", noted for his massive scared knuckles. He worked as a "doorman" at a popular nightclub and always greeted customers with a firm handshake and a big smile. Johnny Pachivas was a great martial artist; he was also a credit to his sport and his community.