Liam Harrison Says He’s Sturdy, Stable, and Prepared for ONE 167
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 title and a number of the most enjoyable bouts ever seen en path to his mind-blowing report of 91 wins, 25 losses, and a pair of attracts.
The yr 2022 would show to be his largest check but nonetheless, as celebrations turned to commiserations after an enormous win was adopted up by a horrific harm inside just some 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 towards 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 many of the yr in Leeds, England—a spot that see’s a whole lot of rain and much cooler temperatures, the transition to a special surroundings is half the battle. Fortunately although, travelling the globe to take it to an opponent is nothing new for Harrison. “I believed, 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 at this time with the warmth,” he laughs. “So, it’s a very good job that I did come right here early.”
Liam Harrison arrives early to acclimatize for a battle
Time zones are a severe issue as pertains to ONE 167, happening in Bangkok. The occasion will probably 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 battle will probably 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 onerous coaching to the mornings. “9am is my massive 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 battle.”
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 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 profitable 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 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 harm when his legs had been kicked out type beneath him. Following painful surgical procedures, rehabilitation, and a few soul looking out, “The Hitman” will probably 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 truthful 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 battle for cash,” says the proud Brit. “I battle 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 battle, as a result of its simply what I really like doing,” he says. “Preventing has by no means been about earning money, for me, its in my coronary heart, I really like doing it.” Harrsion bravely opens up and shares that there have been definitely darkish occasions going by way of his knee rehab when he struggled to remain constructive, 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 just a few of them ideas going round, however now, all the pieces’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 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 within the tire with Singdam. “That’s my type after I battle,” 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, onerous punches, onerous 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 hundreds 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 a web based coaching useful resource.
Liam Harrison has confirmed time and time once more, after virtually 120 fights, that he’s in a position to stand up to punishment and nonetheless come by way of the opposite facet victorious. “Whenever you get to an elite stage, when the ability stage is identical and individuals are simply as powerful as you’re, it generally can come right down to who takes essentially the most punishment,” he shares. “So, your physique must be in 100% the perfect bodily situation potential.” The Muay mat explains that in his view, preventing is just 20% physicality nonetheless, 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 correctly, then don’t trouble preventing since you are within the improper sport.” No matter occurs in his return battle, Harrison definitely selected the appropriate 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!
