What do you think?
Rate this book
Three-Time World Champ: The Death-Defying True Story of a Kickboxer Turned Drug Smuggler... Turned Business Icon
The thrilling true story of the rise and fall of a kickboxing legend in the notorious 1980s Miami crime scene . . . and the shocking end that that led him to a new life.
From 1982 to 1987, Thaddeus J. “Ted” Pryor was the middleweight kickboxing champion of the world. But behind the scenes, he was a key player in the biggest marijuana trafficking operation in American history.
As a renowned athlete, TV model, and bodyguard to stars like Elvis Presley, he drew the attention of the head of the Miami mafia. When the kingpin wanted protection—and some flash—he made Ted his personal intimidator, keeping the peace in the celebrity-drenched nightclub scene and beyond.
But when the gangster blocked him from getting in on the big money of the smuggling business, Ted started his own.
Three-Time World Champ tells the electric story of how Ted became the master of the run-and-gun smuggling business around the Caribbean islands, hustling in hundreds of millions of dollars in weed under the noses of cops and coast guard patrols—until a dubious traffic stop began the unraveling of everything. What began as easy money became a ringside seat to kidnapping, murder, police double-crosses, and a harrowing turn in prison.
Three-Time World Champ brings readers directly into the action of neon-soaked, 1980s Miami, chronicling the rise and fall—and rise again—of an amazing man: a world champ of kickboxing and a world champ of smuggling who, in a wholly unexpected turn, becomes world champ of a business completely removed from everything that came before. It’s harrowing, it’s thrilling, and it happened just like this: the wild life of a Three-Time World Champ.
From 1982 to 1987, Thaddeus J. “Ted” Pryor was the middleweight kickboxing champion of the world. But behind the scenes, he was a key player in the biggest marijuana trafficking operation in American history.
As a renowned athlete, TV model, and bodyguard to stars like Elvis Presley, he drew the attention of the head of the Miami mafia. When the kingpin wanted protection—and some flash—he made Ted his personal intimidator, keeping the peace in the celebrity-drenched nightclub scene and beyond.
But when the gangster blocked him from getting in on the big money of the smuggling business, Ted started his own.
Three-Time World Champ tells the electric story of how Ted became the master of the run-and-gun smuggling business around the Caribbean islands, hustling in hundreds of millions of dollars in weed under the noses of cops and coast guard patrols—until a dubious traffic stop began the unraveling of everything. What began as easy money became a ringside seat to kidnapping, murder, police double-crosses, and a harrowing turn in prison.
Three-Time World Champ brings readers directly into the action of neon-soaked, 1980s Miami, chronicling the rise and fall—and rise again—of an amazing man: a world champ of kickboxing and a world champ of smuggling who, in a wholly unexpected turn, becomes world champ of a business completely removed from everything that came before. It’s harrowing, it’s thrilling, and it happened just like this: the wild life of a Three-Time World Champ.
216 pages, Hardcover
Published December 3, 2024
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 4, 2024
A Must-Read for Inspiration and Resilience! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The love of family is central to Ted’s story, and this book is a testament to the power of perseverance and redemption. Ted’s journey, from being an underdog to achieving greatness, is nothing short of remarkable. From his early days in kickboxing, through some tough encounters with the law, to his current mission of giving back to others, Ted’s life proves that no obstacle is insurmountable.
This book is more than just a story—it’s a wake-up call for anyone feeling stuck in their past. Ted’s transformation is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to change your path. If you need a dose of inspiration and a push to overcome your own challenges, this book will deliver. Highly recommend!
The love of family is central to Ted’s story, and this book is a testament to the power of perseverance and redemption. Ted’s journey, from being an underdog to achieving greatness, is nothing short of remarkable. From his early days in kickboxing, through some tough encounters with the law, to his current mission of giving back to others, Ted’s life proves that no obstacle is insurmountable.
This book is more than just a story—it’s a wake-up call for anyone feeling stuck in their past. Ted’s transformation is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to change your path. If you need a dose of inspiration and a push to overcome your own challenges, this book will deliver. Highly recommend!
December 3, 2024
This book was a page turner from start to finish and it’s astonishing that it’s a real story. No wonder Ted is a 3X champion, his resilience of becoming a world champion kickboxer to then having the ultimate comeback story is one you don’t want to miss. I loved the action and the underlying message of never giving up. Would recommend to everyone!
February 24, 2025
Fascinating True Story
You will love this book! It's a fast moving true story about a very interesting guy who always plays by his own rules and has several major ups and downs in life. But he always manages to come out on top - a winner. I could not put this book down. It's Excellent!
You will love this book! It's a fast moving true story about a very interesting guy who always plays by his own rules and has several major ups and downs in life. But he always manages to come out on top - a winner. I could not put this book down. It's Excellent!
December 3, 2024
This book is unlike any other miami vice, smuggler cowboy type read because it takes the reader through the highs and lows and ends in a turn around story. There are so many stories that are thrilling but very few end in highs that eclipse the heights of the adventures that came before.
December 11, 2024
Riveting and inspiring. Pretty sure I stayed in the "cardio zone" for most of the book. An inspiring tale of wayward weed, waking up, working hard and never losing sight of a better version of yourself.
December 12, 2024
A great read. I could not put it down. As a lawyer practicing in the criminal justice system, I was excited to read Ted's account of justice and injustice. Ted makes you relate to all the characters he portrays. This book will make a fantastic movie. Congratulations to Ted, who is an American hero.
April 3, 2025
This book is very powerful. It is one I would read again and recommend to my friends. Thad, Ted is a great author as well as guy he is very funny and knowledgeable about life and fighting. I will be thinking of this book as one of my favorites I have read in a long time.
December 3, 2024
An awesome book for anyone looking for captivating stories, true crime, and fighting against the odds!
December 6, 2024
Looking forward to this awesome story from an awesome guy
Read
January 29, 2026Great book, it shows to never give up. Even when you do the wrong thing you can always come back and do the right thing. It’s more important how you finish than how you start. Great job Thad.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews