At the age of 30, Italian kickboxer Ivan Naccari has built an enviable fighting career and earned the respect of his rivals. Growing up in a tough neighborhood in Messina, Sicily, Ivan learned early on that self-defense was essential for respect. This environment led him to kickboxing at 17, where he honed his skills in the K1 style. His journey is one of resilience and self-taught discipline, having navigated his career without the guidance of a dedicated master.
Nakccari’s training has been intense and disciplined ahead of his important match for the European title up to 70 kg against Dragomir Petrov at SENSHI 24. A typical day for Ivan Naccari involves focusing on technique, mainly working on combinations with his training partner. He shared that mental strength is as crucial as physical readiness in an exclusive interview for Gong.bg.
“You need to be mentally strong to put everything into practice,” he emphasizes. His favorite drills focus on technique, and leading up to fights, he follows a strict regimen, staying home in the evenings and maintaining a clean diet to keep focused.
How are you feeling about your upcoming fight in a few days??
I’m very excited. I really want to have one of the best performances of my career. You should know that Ivan Naccari will do anything to win the European SENSHI title belt!
Do you have any pre-fight rituals or routines?
I try to focus on the match and my performance, stay home after training without going out in the evenings, follow a healthy diet, and not fall into futile distractions.
What has been your most memorable fight so far, and why?
The most memorable battle was a tournament I won in January 2022 in France. It is a crucial memory for me because it was a test of heart and courage; I broke my foot in the first round of the semi-final.
I won, and once I returned to the locker room, I realized that I no longer had stability in my legs due to the pain in my foot, but I forced myself to decide to fight my final thinking of knocking my opponent down with my fists, and so I did! I knocked the current home champion down in the first round.
What advice will you give to aspiring fighters?
Once you enter this game, you must be willing to suffer because, without sacrifice, you get nothing here.
Without giving too much away, do you have a strategy in mind for this fight?
I am a fighter, so I will fight in my style and at a very high pace. The rest will be a surprise. I advise all fans not to miss this episode in SENSHI 24 and to my supporters to support me as always – their messages are strength.
What message do you have for your opponent?
I’m coming to Varna to put that belt on my waist!
