Nobody has shone a brighter highlight for UK Muay Thai fighters than Liam Harrison aka the hitman. This Thai boxer from Leeds, England’s profession views like a spotlight reel, with a number of world titles to his identify and a number of the most enjoyable bouts ever seen en path to his mind-blowing report of 91 wins, 25 losses, and a couple of attracts.
The yr 2022 would show to be his greatest take a look at but nonetheless, as celebrations turned to commiserations after an enormous win was adopted up by a horrific damage inside only a few months. Thankfully, “The Hitman” is again, and as M&F came upon in an unique chat, he’s hungry to return to the game that he loves. Right here, forward of his all-important bout in opposition to Katsuki Kitano in Bangkok, at ONE 167, we came upon that cash isn’t his motivation.
The temperature in Thailand is scorching in Could, averaging 82°F to 93° with quite a lot of humidity. For a fighter who lives a lot of the yr in Leeds, England—a spot that see’s lots of rain and much cooler temperatures, the transition to a unique atmosphere is half the battle. Fortunately although, travelling the globe to take it to an opponent is nothing new for Harrison. “I thought, get out here two weeks early, get acclimatized, get on the time zone, get used to the heat and that, because I nearly dropped dead today with the heat,” he laughs. “So, it’s a good job that I did come here early.”
Liam Harrison arrives early to acclimatize for a battle
Time zones are a severe issue as pertains to ONE 167, going down in Bangkok. The occasion shall be broadcast everywhere in the world and to make it out there throughout primetime for North American audiences, the matches will happen early within the morning. “My fight will be on around 9am, Bangkok time,” explains the Englishman. “So, I’m going to be fighting in the morning. Now, that’s something I don’t ever do.” To compensate, Harrison says that he has shifted all of his laborious coaching to the mornings. “9am is my big session. I’m making sure that my body is getting used to fully exerting and I’m getting up at 5am, just so my body is used to getting up at that time, and being awake 3 or 4 hours before a fight.”
Harrison’s preparedness has been a staple of a person who has been coaching in Muay Thai for the reason that age of 13. He turned professional earlier than his fifteenth birthday and shortly received a neighborhood title with a third-round knockout. Quite a few world titles adopted and Harrison has now held the World Skilled Muaythai Federation, World Muaythai Council, WBW Muaythai, and Kombat League titles to call however few.
And whereas “The Hitman” hit a rocky patch in 2017-2019, dropping a string of three fights, then profitable one, then dropping one other, he seemingly righted the ship with 5 wins from August 2019 to April 2022. That fifth win was yet one more for the spotlight reel, gaining a TKO over Muangthai P.Okay.Saenchai within the first spherical. And, that lightning-fast work earned Harrison a US $100,000 efficiency bonus. Simply 4 months later his world was turned the wrong way up nonetheless, when Harrison misplaced within the first spherical to Nong-O Gaiyanghadao in a bid for the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship at ONE on Prime Video 1.
Not solely did he lose that battle, however “The Hitman” obtained a severe knee damage when his legs had been kicked out kind beneath him. Following painful surgical procedures, rehabilitation, and a few soul looking out, “The Hitman” shall be again to face Katsuki Kitano on June 8, 2024.
For Liam Harrison, Muay Thai competitors has by no means been motivated by cash
Harrison, 38, had acquired that $100,000 bonus shortly earlier than he was placed on the shelf. Whereas it’s honest to say that many fighters may need taken the cash and ran, this was by no means an possibility for the Thai boxing legend. “No, because I don’t fight for money,” says the proud Brit. “I fight cuz I love it. It’s never been about money. I spent most of my 20s fighting the best fighters on the planet and the money wasn’t that good.”
Harrison explains that he already has an revenue stream from his teaching and seminars. “Even if the money was still s**t, I’d fight, because its just what I love doing,” he says. “Fighting has never been about making money, for me, its in my heart, I love doing it.” Harrsion bravely opens up and shares that there have been definitely darkish instances going via his knee rehab when he struggled to remain constructive, and questioned if he might ever return to kind. “People don’t want to watch a watered-down version of me,” he says, noting that he didn’t ever need to embarrass himself in a sport that he thinks so extremely of. “So, there were a few of them thoughts going around, but now, everything’s back, working solidly, my knee is stronger than it was before, I’m just looking forward to getting back in there.”
A fast verify of Instagram reveals that “The Hitman” is laser targeted together with his coaching and is placing himself in uncomfortable positions to succeed in his potential, like heavy sparring inside the tire with Singdam. “That’s my style when I fight,” says Harrison. “I’m known as what’s called a ‘Muay Mat’ in Muay Thai, and a muay mat is someone who moves forward, hard punches, hard kicks, and someone who is always looking for the KO.”
When he’s not sweating it out in coaching, “The Hitman” is viewing hundreds of hours of footage to seek out strikes that may work for him. Thankfully, after his followers demanded it, the fighter has now put his invaluable data on the market by launching an on-line coaching useful resource.
Liam Harrison has confirmed time and time once more, after virtually 120 fights, that he’s in a position to face up to punishment and nonetheless come via the opposite aspect victorious. “When you get to an elite level, when the skill level is the same and people are just as tough as you are, it sometimes can come down to who takes the most punishment,” he shares. “So, your body has to be in 100% the best physical condition possible.” The Muay mat explains that in his view, combating is simply 20% physicality nonetheless, noting that the thoughts picks up the opposite 80%. “Your mind will quit long before your body ever does,” he shares. “So, if your mind isn’t as strong as it should be, then don’t bother fighting because you are in the wrong sport.” No matter occurs in his return battle, Harrison definitely selected the proper sport.
Liam Harrison makes his lengthy awaited comeback at ONE 167 on Friday, June 7, stay at 8pm ET on Prime Video within the U.S. and Canada. For extra data go to right here!