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 fun bouts ever seen en path to his mind-blowing report of 91 wins, 25 losses, and a couple of attracts.
The 12 months 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 only a few months. Luckily, “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 sizzling in Could, averaging 82°F to 93° with quite a lot of humidity. For a fighter who lives a lot of the 12 months in Leeds, England—a spot that see’s quite a lot of rain and much cooler temperatures, the transition to a special atmosphere 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 useless in the present day with the warmth,” he laughs. “So, it’s job that I did come right here early.”
Liam Harrison arrives early to acclimatize for a combat
Time zones are a critical issue as pertains to ONE 167, going down in Bangkok. The occasion will likely be broadcast everywhere in the world and to make it accessible throughout primetime for North American audiences, the matches will happen early within the morning. “My combat will likely 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 arduous coaching to the mornings. “9am is my large session. I’m ensuring that my physique is getting used to completely 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 combat.”
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 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 combat, however “The Hitman” obtained a critical knee harm when his legs had been kicked out type beneath him. Following painful surgical procedures, rehabilitation, and a few soul looking, “The Hitman” will likely 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 choice for the Thai boxing legend. “No, as a result of I don’t combat for cash,” says the proud Brit. “I combat 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 earnings stream from his teaching and seminars. “Even when the cash was nonetheless s**t, I’d combat, as a result of its simply what I really like doing,” he says. “Combating has by no means been about making a living, for me, its in my coronary heart, I really like doing it.” Harrsion bravely opens up and shares that there have been actually darkish instances going by way of his knee rehab when he struggled to remain optimistic, and questioned if he may ever return to type. “Folks 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 wanting ahead to getting again 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 achieve his potential, like heavy sparring inside the tire with Singdam. “That’s my model once I combat,” says Harrison. “I’m referred to as what’s known as a ‘Muay Mat’ in Muay Thai, and a muay mat is somebody who strikes ahead, arduous punches, arduous kicks, and somebody who’s at all times searching 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. Luckily, 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 nearly 120 fights, that he’s capable of stand up to punishment and nonetheless come by way of the opposite aspect victorious. “If you get to an elite stage, when the ability stage is identical and persons are simply as powerful as you might be, it typically can come right down to who takes essentially the most punishment,” he shares. “So, your physique needs to be in 100% the perfect bodily situation doable.” The Muay mat explains that in his view, preventing is simply 20% physicality nevertheless, noting that the thoughts picks up the opposite 80%. “Your thoughts will give up lengthy earlier than your physique ever does,” he shares. “So, in case your thoughts isn’t as robust accurately, then don’t hassle preventing since you are within the flawed sport.” No matter occurs in his return combat, Harrison actually selected the proper sport.
Liam Harrison makes his lengthy awaited comeback at ONE 167 on Friday, June 7, dwell at 8pm ET on Prime Video within the U.S. and Canada. For extra info go to right here!
