An interesting column from Chuck Norris:

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/ChuckNorris/2008/04/01/bruce_lee_vs_me

Bruce Lee vs. Me
By Chuck Norris

Bruce Lee is back with a vengeance.

My good friend, fellow sparring partner and martial
arts legend has returned to the cultural scenery
through the 2008-2009 openings of a 40-episode biopic
miniseries, a Broadway show, a remake of "Enter the
Dragon" and the creation of a theme park. And news
about these events is stirring the pot of inquiry and
controversy about him once again, as it was before his
sudden and unfortunate death in 1973 at the young age
of 32.

"The Legend of Bruce Lee," which is being filmed in
China, Hong Kong and the U.S. and contains an
international cast, is poised to deliver a fitting
veneration to the kung fu king of screen. This
television biography might contain fictionalized
episodes, but it will resurrect Bruce's personhood and
talents before a whole new generation. It stars Chan
Kwok-kwan, who has an uncanny resemblance to Lee but
whose greatest challenge remains to convince the
viewing audience of his mastery of martial arts with
only a dancing background.

Equally entertaining will be Warner Bros.' remake of
the 1973 classic "Enter the Dragon." The new film will
be titled "Awaken the Dragon." It will loosely follow
the original, which tracks an FBI agent who
investigates a Shaolin monk and underground kung fu
fighting clubs. Still unanswered, however, is, Who
will (or can) play Lee's character?

I don't imagine Bruce ever could have imagined himself
on Broadway, but composer and Tony Award nominee David
Yazbek is placing him front and center stage through
his scores in an upcoming musical based upon Lee's
life.

And in southeast China, there is even a $29 million
theme park being erected in Bruce's honor, which will
include a martial arts academy and a memorial hall.
And just in time, with the world's spotlight on the
Beijing Olympics.

With the mania over this iconoclastic giant, curiosity
is once again knocking on even my doorstep. What was
Bruce Lee like? How did you meet? What was it like to
choreograph the fight scene in Rome with him? Did you
spend much time together off-screen? Those are a small
sampling of the inquiries I'm asked often, wherever I
go around the world.

However, the question probably most asked of me is, Do
you think you could have beaten Bruce Lee in a
professional competition?

Many have opined about the answer. Some even indicted
what I haven't said. For example, contrary to the
Toronto Star's recent report, I have not admitted that
I "would be no match for Lee in a real fight."

The truth is Lee was a formidable opponent with a
chiseled physique and technique. I totally enjoyed
sparring and just spending time with him. He was as
charismatic and friendly in the ring and at home as he
was on film. His confidence and wit were dazzling and
sometimes even debilitating to others -- saying things
to others, such as: "A fight is not won by one punch
or kick. Either learn to endure or hire a bodyguard."
Lee was lightning fast, very agile and incredibly
strong for his size. He was also a master marketer --
a fact demonstrated by his ability to talk the world
karate champion at the time (me) into being defeated
on-screen!

However, many today don't realize he never competed
professionally. If he had, I believe he would have
been a world champion. Rather, his fame was crowned
with "The Green Hornet" television series. Then he was
immortalized with such movies as "Enter the Dragon"
and "Return of the Dragon," in which Lee and I fought
in the now-famous sequence inside the Roman Colosseum.

I enjoy speaking about my friendship with Bruce. It is
something about which many don't know. As I travel the
world, it seems that younger people identify me merely
with some of the folklore in the "Church Norris Facts"
-- those hyperbolic sayings that elevate my abilities
beyond my capabilities. Others view me in light of the
character I played in "Walker, Texas Ranger" or in one
of my 20 tough-guy films. But not everyone realizes
that before my film and television career, I was the
six-time world champion. From 1964 to 1968, I won many
state, national and international amateur karate
titles. In 1968, I fought and won the world
middleweight karate championship by defeating the
world's top fighters. I then held that title until
1974, when I retired undefeated.

It's strange to look back on those days. They seem so
near yet so far away. It's difficult to believe that
it has been 35 years since Bruce left this earth. I
miss my friend. I know many of you do, too. I hope all
the endeavors to memorialize his greatness are
successful.

Enough stalling! As in my new fighting federation, the
World Combat League -- which we are hoping will be
seen in 100 countries during this second season --
there are penalties for passivity.

So, would I have beaten Bruce Lee in a real
competition or not? You'll forgive me for answering
with another Bruce-ism: "Showing off is the fool's
idea of glory."