At 33 years old , Yohan Lidon welcomed its fourteenth title of world champion in Monaco. This Lyonnais boxer spends about four fours a day to do his training.
Like Monaco : When did you start in this environment ?
Yohan Lidon : I started in 1998 combative sports. Like almost all the young people of my generation, I was fan of Bruce Lee, Jean-Claude Van Dam and then all the cartoons where there were these practices. In the same year, I had a friend who had a room where he practiced kickboxing, I went, I tried and I literally fell in love with this sport.
L.M : Have you got an example ?
Y.L : Yes, that’s Zinedine Zidane. In 1998, during the World Cup, I was in admiration in front of him. Its prestance on the ground was amazing. It was a beating, he let go absolutely nothing.
L.M : What are the frequencies of your training ?
Y.L : I do my training twice a day. Every day except Saturday or Sunday (depending on what day I want to take off). During my days off, I still do a little jogging. Finally, I exercice three to four hours a day.
Y.L : Before to come in, there is always stress. I don’t want to disjoint the team, the people around me. My little ritual is to think about all those people who are there for me, to all those I love. My strength is to make people happy. Make them proud and I do everything for. Then when the bell rings I don’t ask myself any other questions. Only to fight and to win. When I put a KO, it is special because I feel happy during some seconds but then I feel sorry for my opponent … but that’s the game. In any case, I always stay positive, I always want to do better and to fight. My mind is my strength on the ring.
L.M : Do you have any future projects ?
Y.L : For sport, I still want to win everything and go further. The “private” side, I would like to open a gym in Lyon. I would like that people come and train and try combative sports. I want a place where fans or fighters, leisure or competition find their place.
After earning his fourteenth title of world champion in Monaco, Yohan will now be able to rest in the farm where he lives and pursue his other passion: fishing. Rather unusual for a fighter, but that is what makes all its originality and charm.