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 few of the most fun bouts ever seen en path to his mind-blowing document of 91 wins, 25 losses, and a pair of attracts.
The yr 2022 would show to be his greatest check but nevertheless, as celebrations turned to commiserations after an enormous win was adopted up by a horrific harm inside just some 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 Might, averaging 82°F to 93° with quite a lot of humidity. For a fighter who lives many of the yr in Leeds, England—a spot that see’s numerous rain and much cooler temperatures, the transition to a unique setting is half the battle. Fortunately although, travelling the globe to take it to an opponent is nothing new for Harrison. “I assumed, get out right here two weeks early, get acclimatized, get on the time zone, get used to the warmth and that, as a result of I almost dropped lifeless right this moment with the warmth,” he laughs. “So, it’s an excellent job that I did come right here early.”
Liam Harrison arrives early to acclimatize for a struggle
Time zones are a severe issue as pertains to ONE 167, going down in Bangkok. The occasion might be broadcast all around the world and to make it out there throughout primetime for North American audiences, the matches will happen early within the morning. “My struggle might be on round 9am, Bangkok time,” explains the Englishman. “So, I’m going to be preventing within the morning. Now, that’s one thing I don’t ever do.” To compensate, Harrison says that he has shifted all of his laborious coaching to the mornings. “9am is my huge session. I’m ensuring that my physique is getting used to totally exerting and I’m getting up at 5am, simply so my physique is used to getting up at the moment, and being awake 3 or 4 hours earlier than a struggle.”
Harrison’s preparedness has been a staple of a person who has been coaching in Muay Thai because the age of 13. He turned professional earlier than his fifteenth birthday and shortly gained an area 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 successful one, then dropping one other, he seemingly righted the ship with 5 wins from August 2019 to April 2022. That fifth win was 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 nevertheless, 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 struggle, however “The Hitman” acquired a severe knee harm when his legs have been kicked out kind beneath him. Following painful surgical procedures, rehabilitation, and a few soul looking, “The Hitman” might 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 might need taken the cash and ran, this was by no means an choice for the Thai boxing legend. “No, as a result of I don’t struggle for cash,” says the proud Brit. “I struggle cuz I adore it. It’s by no means been about cash. I spent most of my 20s preventing the perfect fighters on the planet and the cash wasn’t that good.”
Harrison explains that he already has an revenue stream from his teaching and seminars. “Even when the cash was nonetheless s**t, I’d struggle, as a result of its simply what I like doing,” he says. “Preventing has by no means been about creating wealth, for me, its in my coronary heart, I like doing it.” Harrsion bravely opens up and shares that there have been definitely darkish occasions going via his knee rehab when he struggled to remain constructive, and questioned if he might ever return to kind. “Individuals don’t need to watch a watered-down model 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 have been a couple of of them ideas going round, however now, the whole lot’s again, working solidly, my knee is stronger than it was earlier than, I’m simply trying ahead to getting again in there.”
A fast test of Instagram reveals that “The Hitman” is laser centered 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 fashion once I struggle,” says Harrison. “I’m generally known as what’s known as a ‘Muay Mat’ in Muay Thai, and a muay mat is somebody who strikes ahead, laborious punches, laborious kicks, and somebody who’s at all times on the lookout for the KO.”
When he’s not sweating it out in coaching, “The Hitman” is viewing 1000’s of hours of footage to search out strikes that may work for him. Thankfully, after his followers demanded it, the fighter has now put his invaluable information 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 capable of face up to punishment and nonetheless come via the opposite aspect victorious. “Once you get to an elite stage, when the talent stage is identical and individuals are simply as powerful as you might be, it typically can come all the way down to who takes essentially the most punishment,” he shares. “So, your physique needs to be in 100% the perfect bodily situation attainable.” The Muay mat explains that in his view, preventing is barely 20% physicality nevertheless, noting that the thoughts picks up the opposite 80%. “Your thoughts will stop lengthy earlier than your physique ever does,” he shares. “So, in case your thoughts isn’t as sturdy appropriately, then don’t hassle preventing since you are within the mistaken sport.” No matter occurs in his return struggle, Harrison definitely selected the suitable sport.
Liam Harrison makes his lengthy awaited comeback at ONE 167 on Friday, June 7, reside at 8pm ET on Prime Video within the U.S. and Canada. For extra data go to right here!
