FRANKS, GORDON (born 1955) American karate and kickboxing champion, businessman, and instructor. Franks began karate in 1969 in Washington, D.C., under Pat Worley. After winning the 1975 PKA super-lightweight world title, he was undefeated for five years. His record from 1974 through 1980 was 18-1. His first title fight was against Mexican Ramiro Guzman in Berlin in 1985. It was the first professional fullcontact Karate/Kickboxing world title fight in Europe, promoted by Georg F. Brueckner.
Franks is a co-owner of the Mid-America Karate Schools in Minneapolis-St. Paul, and a founder of Sport Karate Magazine. Franks and his partners produce the Mid-America Diamond Nationals, a famous sport karate tournament on the open circuit. In 1980 Franks was selected by the members of the PKA Players Committee as its chairman.
Info compiled by John Corcoran.