Joseph Valtellini
Joseph Valtellini, known professionally as "Bazooka Joe," is a retired Canadian-Italian Muay Thai kickboxer renowned for his explosive striking power and low kicks in the welterweight division.
Born on May 3, 1985, in Toronto, Ontario, to parents of Sicilian heritage, Valtellini was introduced to martial arts by his father from a young age, initially training in Taekwondo before transitioning to Muay Thai and kickboxing. He amassed an undefeated amateur record of 11-0 and turned professional, competing under promotions like Glory Kickboxing where he achieved a 5-1 record.
Valtellini rose to prominence in Glory, winning the Welterweight World Championship in June 2014 at Glory 17: Los Angeles by defeating Marc de Bonte via unanimous decision after a tournament runner-up finish the previous year. However, he vacated the title in June 2015 due to post-concussion syndrome sustained from his intense fighting style, effectively retiring from competition shortly thereafter. His achievements also include the KF World Classic Light Middleweight Championship and the CASK Amateur Canadian Middleweight title, cementing his legacy as one of Canada's most decorated strikers.
In 2021, Valtellini became the inaugural inductee into the Glory Kickboxing Hall of Fame, recognizing his rapid ascent to championship status in just 14 professional bouts and his contributions to the sport. Post-retirement, he has built a multifaceted career as a color commentator for Glory events alongside Todd Grisham , providing expert analysis on broadcasts. Additionally, as a certified high school physical education teacher, he founded Bazooka Kickboxing & MMA in Scarborough, Ontario , in 2022, where he coaches fighters of all levels using his proprietary training system emphasizing technique, discipline, and explosive power.
Joseph Valtellini was born on May 3, 1985, in Scarborough, Ontario , Canada , to parents who had immigrated from Sicily , Italy . His family originated from Pachino , a small town at the southern tip of Sicily , making Valtellini of full Sicilian descent, though his parents first met in Canada . The Valtellinis resided in Scarborough, a suburb of Toronto , where the close-knit household reflected traditional Italian values.
The family's Italian heritage significantly influenced Valtellini's upbringing, fostering a strong emphasis on discipline, perseverance, and a rigorous work ethic . His parents, drawing from their immigrant experiences, instilled in him the importance of constant effort and self-improvement from an early age.
Valtellini's father played a pivotal role in shaping his early interests, encouraging him to pursue martial arts training to build physical fitness and personal discipline. This guidance began in childhood, with his father constructing a makeshift dojo in the family basement for practice sessions.
Beyond martial arts influences, Valtellini engaged in various childhood activities, including competitive soccer, which he played at a high level within Ontario youth leagues.
Joseph Valtellini began his martial arts journey at the age of seven, inspired by action films featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme , when he started training in taekwondo at a local dojo in Scarborough, Ontario . He demonstrated rapid progress in the discipline, earning his first-degree black belt by age ten and advancing to a second-degree black belt by the age of fourteen, which solidified his foundational skills in striking and discipline. This early exposure, encouraged by his family's emphasis on sports and physical activity , instilled a strong work ethic that would later influence his combat sports career.
During his teenage years, Valtellini sought more contact-oriented training and transitioned away from taekwondo , experimenting with Brazilian jiu-jitsu to develop grappling proficiency before discovering Muay Thai around age nineteen.
