What's your greatest fear, that a huge biker dude will come up to you, chains dangling from his denim and leather, sporting skull & crossbones tattoos?

Or someone who looks and seems as tough as Arnold in "The Terminator” will make you his bouncy toy?

Sure, there are some mean looking dudes out there who are just as evil as they look.

But if there's one thing I've learned in the martial arts, you just can't judge the power of a punch from the looks of the puncher.

I've seen some of the wimpiest guys in the world pack a huge wallop. They look like Woody Allen standing next to The Rock or Hulk Hogan.

"You've got to be kidding!” is what you think as they step onto the mat, but these smaller folks bring things to battle that are incredibly valuable:

(1) They don't think they're going to prevail based on brute strength, alone. This is a big plus, because there are many more factors involved in fighting.

(2) Do you remember the Avis car rental ads that said "We Try Harder?” These underdogs actually train harder.

(3) There is an old question that's asked a bunch of ways, and here's one of them: "In a race, who will win; a rabbit or a fox?” Answer: Generally, the fox will lose because he's just running for his dinner, while the bunny is fleeing for her life. The smaller battler knows what's at stake, and she's not playing.

(4) They may seem wiry and un-muscled, but generally, they're quicker. Speed matters, especially in closing distances, in using fist flurries, and in using momentum to make your blows hit targets with greater intensity. Massive people are slower, and their attacks are less forceful that you'd think.

(5) A lot of these wimpy types have been picked on most of their lives, so they know what it means to be afraid, and to be tired of being afraid. Once they're trained, they're not going to take guff from anybody!

The expression, "You can't judge a book by its cover,” definitely applies to potential adversaries.

So, never look at someone and think, "I can take that guy!”

That attitude, alone, will set you up for a big fall!