Stan Peterec of Victoria, rated the fourth-toughest man in the world in a 2006 article by the authoritative Black Belt Magazine, has found a new way to top even himself. This month he will become the only fighter in any martial discipline to fight professionally over six decades.
The Guinness Book of World Records attempt will take place Aug. 30 at Royal Athletic Park in a kick-boxing and MMA card billed Summer Slugfest 9, the ninth in an Island series dating to 1994, when the first outdoors card was held at Royal Athletic Park with others later at Western Speedway.
Peterec is 66 and his last fight was 13 years ago: “I began training again over the last six months with the biggest question being how would I take a shot [to the head]. It is not worth my health.”
But sparring sessions gave Peterec the confidence he can do it.
“I’ve never been concussed and I’ve never been knocked out in any of my bouts,” said Peterec.
“When you are scared, you are quicker and faster, and I’m still scared anytime I step into the ring.”
That has served him well over a legendary career that saw Peterec win national and world kick-boxing and karate titles and saw him inducted into the Victoria Sports Hall of Fame with the Class of 2014.
Peterec will surpass, in terms of longevity, the pro careers of two fighters — Jack Johnson and Roberto Duran — whose martial careers spanned five decades. He said it is meaningful not only in its own right, but because Duran is his hero.
Peterec became as well respected as a trainer, with more than 40 provincial, national, world champion and pro fighters coming out of Peterec’s gyms, the newest which is now located on Johnson Street. He has trained 18 world champions across an array of martial disciplines, including boxer Donny Lalonde.
But it’s inside the ring where Peterec’s heart truly belongs: “I should have stayed in school. This is all I know. And I have a passion to know more. I feel lucky I am able to do this at this age. I need goals. Believe me, I am not doing wind sprints without a goal in mind, like getting ready for this bout. This keeps me young.”
Peterec was introduced to martial sports at age 15 in his hometown of Port Alberni when he went to a karate gym to learn how to defend himself against an older schoolyard bully who was making his life hell: “You never know how one thing is going to pave the way to other things in your life.”
Peterec’s brutal profession belies his gentle manner and personality outside the ring as he has earned his moniker as the Humble Warrior.
The Islander’s story has piqued the interest of a broadcast team that is preparing a documentary about Peterec’s career and record-setting sixth-decade pro bout. Co-producer Jeremy Hawks has earned multiple regional Emmy nominations, including one win, as a digital content producer and producer-broadcaster of longform content for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA.
“Stan Peterec is an outstanding sports pioneer who is making history,” said Sean Vaillancourt, who is co-producing the project with Hawks.
“We believe Stan is a compelling subject, with a compelling life story, and we hope to take this on the festival circuit at places like Sundance.”
The card Aug. 30 at Royal Athletic Park, the first there in 31 years, will feature 12 kick-boxing and MMA bouts. The main event will feature Victoria’s Amrit Sekhon going up against Montreal’s Jerome Theriault for the Inter-provincial amateur title.
Peterec will fight former world amateur kick-boxing champion Leigh Mueller, who will be making his pro debut. Tickets: summerslugfest.eventbrite.ca.
