Lineker Talks Upbringing That Led Him To Stardom

John Lineker returns to motion at ONE Struggle Evening 7 on Friday, February 24. The heavy-handed Brazilian will run it again with Fabricio Andrade in the principle occasion for the vacant ONE Bantamweight World Championship. Earlier than their first assembly, Lineker was stripped of the gold for lacking weight & hydration. Then, through the match, he suffered a low blow that prevented him from persevering with.

However overcoming adversity is nothing new for Lineker. In an interview with ONE Championship, Lineker detailed his upbringing that noticed him face bullying head-on and fall in love with fight sports activities. However his decided perspective was seen from day one at residence.

“We have been glad youngsters. We performed rather a lot on the street, near our home. The place the place we lived was very humble, however we had lots of enjoyable on the road, within the rain, stepping within the mud. Our household life was excellent. Regardless of not having a lot, we have been glad,” stated Lineker.

The American Prime Workforce standout additionally recalled how he would chase horses, play soccer, and was a ball of power at school. He was rambunctious. However he credited his mother and father for elevating him effectively even when he was, as he described, electrical.

Faculty, nevertheless, was not all enjoyable and video games for Lineker. Attributable to his peak, he was a straightforward goal for bullies. The taller youngsters would name him a “dwarf” and pat him on the pinnacle. Fed up with the torment, Lineker confirmed early indicators of what was to come back by taking it to his bullies with ferocity.

“The factor was already heating up, and we solved it proper there. My father at all times stated, ‘In the event you battle on the street and get overwhelmed up, you’ll get beat up at residence, too.’ So, I went with all the pieces. I’d moderately hit than get overwhelmed twice,” stated “Fingers of Stone.”

Those self same fingers would quickly be educated. When he was 12 years previous, Lineker realized of Acelino Freitas. Studying of the Brazilian boxing World Champion’s story gave Lineker a dream that he, too, might obtain success in fight sports activities.

“That impacted me. It generated a fireplace in my coronary heart, one thing very robust. And that ended up changing into my want, it turned my dream. I already preferred to battle, so having martial arts as a way of life to help my household was one thing that basically moved me. I began practising boxing quickly after I learn this text,” stated Lineker.

Though Freitas ignited the flame for what would develop into his occupation, Lineker’s biggest hero stays his father. Although “Fingers of Stone” has achieved the best of highs within the sport, he’s most pleased with the person he has develop into exterior of the game. And that’s all due to what he realized from the person he appeared as much as as a toddler.

“My father was my biggest inspiration, my mannequin of effort, an individual who at all times struggled to deliver sustenance into the home and never let the household lack something. My dad wasn’t a lot for saying ‘I like you,’ however his actions confirmed us how a lot he cherished us and the way a lot he wished to maintain us. That’s why he’s my largest inspiration and my function mannequin,” stated Lineker.

ONE Struggle Evening 7: Lineker vs. Andrade II airs reside from Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, February 24. The motion begins at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST. The occasion is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers situated within the U.S. and Canada.