Lirette, 21, won the International Sport Kickboxing Association's North American super-middleweight title last Saturday in front of a packed house in Victoria, knocking out Ian Rozylo in the fifth round.

Lirette’s 15 years of training are reaping dividends. His amateur record is a healthy 6-1 with three KOs. His reputation is growing and so is his fan base.

The Blade has been razor sharp in the ring, finishing off to of his three knockouts with his signature spinning back-kick. His last opponent before Rozylo went down in 68 seconds.

Strength, conditioning, and an impressive back flip make the 5-foot-11, 167-pound kickboxer a good prospect for the pro circuit.

"After I saw the backflip at the end of that exhausting match, I knew he had the focus for professional competition," said Grandmaster Farid Dordar, Lirette’s trainer and former world champion.

Lirette went to high school at Argyle Secondary, and started kickboxing as an extra-curricular activity after being inspired by the movie, The Karate Kid.

By the age of 11, Lirette had received his brown belt and was working out at a neighborhood recreation centre. At 15, inspired this time by Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Kickboxer, Lirette transferred to Champions Martial Arts Academy.

Lirette was attracted not by the violence, but by the discipline and the training.

"I’m not happy with kickboxing now," says Lirette. "I’d like to change the sport in the eyes of the community. [Kickboxing] is not a violent sport where people just beat each other up. It is a martial art, and the skills necessary for developing yourself are not just beating your opponent."

Lirette brings his ideals about kickboxing to students of all ages while working as a full-time instructor at Champions.

"With young kids it is important to teach them concentration and focus. They learn how to listen and be respectful," says Lirette.

"With pre-teens and young adults, I want to provide them with a role model, someone who is dedicated. I want to instill qualities that are important for them to continue to develop."

Adults are a different matter.

"Most who come in are looking for happiness, whether it be through self-improvement or physical fitness."

Lirette lives next door to the gym and works out before work as well as in the evening.

He has fought only North American opponents so far, but his next fight in September will be his first pro bout. His opponent, unconfirmed at press time, will likely have international experience.

Lirette’s only international experience has come in training. He traveled to Japan to train during the summer of 1998, which helped him establish his dominant amateur ranking. He models his own performance on the K1 fighters he met there, whom he had always watched and admired. K1 tournaments in Japan often include world-class kickboxers.

"I had a chance to meet some of them in Japan. I really admire them, but I want to beat them," Lirette says.

Future trips include possible matches in Los Angeles, and further training in Iran and Japan.