Bob Baker got the opportunity to spend a lot of training time with Bruce and once told me of something that happened off-screen in filming of Chinese Connection (Fist of Fury). Apparently, one of the extra's decided that Bruce wasn't as good as he portrayed so Bruce obligingly sparred him. The guy was easily beaten after Bruce played with him a little but this time it went further. At the end of a particularly late filming session, Bruce and Bob were getting ready to leave when this guy again challenged Bruce. Bruce said something to the guy in Chinese and the guy looked at Bob. Something else was said in Chinese and the guy looked at Bob again then at Bruce and then charged at Bob. Bob avoided his charge and looked over at Bruce wondering what the hell was going on to see Bruce standing with his arms folded with a mischevious grin on his face. When the guy charged at Bob again this time with a kick, Bob stepped inside the kick and without thinking landed a lead hand strike as the guy landed. "The guy just catapulted off my fist" was how Bob described the effect. There was no need for any other techniques. The challenger hit the deck, was helped up by two friends and then amazingly went up to Bruce with big smiles, shook his hand and said goodbye before darting off into the night. Bob asked the still smiling Bruce what was that all about. Bruce had told the guys that as per Chinese tradition, if you challenge the master, the senior student will usually first fight to make sure the challenger is good enough. Bob immeditaly asked Bruce "Well, was I?" to which Bruce replied "You missed the first attack"...Bruce then walked off to the car leaving a still startled Bob standing at the door. (source DOC)
