Described as a living legend by most who cross his path, only a handful of folks had more impact on the world of mixed martial arts in Canada than Victoria’s Stan Peterec.
Named the fourth toughest man in the world in 2006, Peterec’s accomplishments are dazzling: two-time world kickboxing champion, one-time world karate champion, over 1,000 fights, countless KO wins, and multiple “most outstanding male competitor” awards over a career spanning more than five decades.
And Peterec’s achievements extend way beyond the ring. Alongside the belts, medals and championship titles, he trained numerous internationally acclaimed fighters and served as a consultant for the Israeli Special Forces, the Russian Spetsnaz, Navy SEAL instructors and the LAPD SWAT team.
Last August, Peterec made history after being recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the “oldest professional fighter in history to have fought in a sanctioned kickboxing event,” following his win at the Summer Slugfest IX at 66, held in Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park.
Stan Peterec (right) wins by decision at Summer Slugfest IX, held Aug. 30, 2025, at Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park. (Olivier Laurin/Victoria News)
With nothing left to prove, the fighter will soon add “the ultimate recognition” to his record, having learned in February that he had been inducted into the Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame.
Awarded to fighters for their respective career, impact on their sport and their community, the title represents what Peterec calls “a lifetime achievement” award.
“I’ve been doing this for more than 50 years now, and there’s nowhere else to go for me,” he said. “It’s the top spot. It’s your Academy Award of martial arts.”
Frank Clayton, who will host the 2026 awards ceremony in Richmond next October, said Peterec is more than deserving of the distinction after he and others vouched for his recognition.
“I’ve known Stan for more than 30 years and his career speaks for itself,” said Clayton, who was himself inducted back in 2024. “He’s done so much in the kickboxing world in British Columbia. And not only has he won many championships, he’s also been an advocate for the sport.
“There’s lots of guys out there that are deserving, but I think of him more than anyone else.”
Soft-spoken and calm outside the ring, and described by Clayton as a “very nice guy,” Peterec was a feared opponent inside it, carrying the nickname “The Steamer” for his raw knockout power.
“Stan Peterec was a different type of fighter,” he said. “He’s not a big guy, but he’s very strong and aggressive.”
“Some guys are strategic, some are defensive fighters, but when Stan felt that he had somebody, he liked to finish them off.”
Born in Port Alberni in the early 1960s, Peterec took up karate at 15 for self-defence reasons. A fast learner, Peterec earned his black belt a few years later and started competing throughout the Pacific Northwest, winning numerous championships, including the Seattle Open.
However, one night changed everything in the young fighter’s life.
It was after watching the Mike Douglas Show and seeing an interview with legends Benny “The Jet” Urquidez and Bill “Superfoot” Wallace that he first learned about kickboxing.
“They did a demonstration on TV and I was blown away,” he said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, this is what I wanna do. I want to be a world champion’.”
With a newfound passion, Peterec moved from Port Alberni to Victoria and dedicated all his free time to learning the ropes of the fledgling sport in North America. A bodyguard and doorman by day, he was among the earliest practitioners of kickboxing, developing his skills by emulating techniques from anything he could get his hands on.
“In the ’70s, there was no internet and we couldn’t get videos,” he said. “We never even heard of Thai boxing or where Thailand was.”
After years of dedication, his determination paid off when he became kickboxing world champion in 1987, earning the belt he had once promised himself. As a true ambassador of the sport in the Great White North, Peterec’s legacy still lives on today.
Turning 70 in a few years, Peterec continues to train, spar, and run his gym in downtown Victoria. When asked about what’s next, he admits fighting is a young man’s game, yet he hasn’t ruled out the prospect of one final bout.
“Soon I’ll be in my 70s and that’s it, it’ll be it,” he said. “There’s no way I’m doing this again.
“But my corner man was telling me, ‘What are you talking about? You’re not retiring. You know we’re gonna do this again’.”
To learn more about Stan Peterec, visit peterecskickboxing.com.