Legendary British Muay Thai fighter, Liam Harrison, left his gloves within the cage following his KO defeat by the hands of Seksan at ONE 168 in Denver. This symbolic gesture, akin to the boxing adage of “hanging them up,” was “The Hitman’s” means of saying his retirement. Although he has since introduced on-line that he would “prefer to struggle another time within the UK to say goodbye to the UK followers,” this wordless assertion has heralded the top of an period.
To have a good time and pay respect to “The Hitman’s” beautiful 24-year profession, we dived into his whopping 119-fight catalog and chosen a number of of the bouts that each Muay Thai fan should watch. These fights showcase Harrison’s devastating type and immense coronary heart. They reveal how, in an age earlier than Muay Thai exploded onto the worldwide stage, he grew to become a globally revered title in fight sports activities.
Not solely do these fights showcase Harrison at his greatest, however in addition they reveal the defining traits of an undisputed Muay Thai legend that may educate the subsequent technology of fighters what it takes to turn into a real champion.
Harrison’s Most Memorable Bouts
In a profession of 119 fights with 50 KO victories, Harrison was part of dozens of historic and memorable bouts. With wins over legendary champions equivalent to Tetsuya Yamato, Mehdi Zatout, and Dzhabar Askerov, there are lots of alternatives for followers to get impressed by Harrison’s success. However, most of the bouts that cemented his legend standing additionally got here from his losses and the inspirational means he turned them into the gasoline that drove his later accomplishments.
The Anuwat Redemption
In 2009 Harrison confronted 5x Rajadamnern Stadium Champion, Anuwat Kaewsamrit, in Jamaica and was stopped within the third spherical by leg kicks. It was the primary time Harrison had been stopped and he took the loss as an essential lesson.
In a web-based submit in regards to the struggle, Harrison notes that though Anuwat, “obliterated” him, he was assured that he might beat him and one 12 months later, he challenged essentially the most devastating Muay Mat in Muay Thai historical past to a rematch. Of their second bout, Harrison secured a “comfy” factors victory, proving to himself and the world that he couldn’t solely beat the perfect fighters on the planet however that he might overcome the bodily and psychological trauma that comes with being stopped in entrance of all the Muay Thai world.
The Saenchai Trilogy
Saenchai was essentially the most famend Muay Femur of his period. His acrobatics and in-fight antics made him a world sensation and followers world wide flocked to stadiums to observe him demolish opponents with a combination of feints, sweeps, and his trademark cartwheel kick. With 327 wins from 378 recorded fights and a plethora of titles to his title, Harrison noticed him as the right opponent to check his mettle towards.
Harrison examined himself towards the a number of Lumpinee Champion 3 instances in his profession. Every time he was defeated, he’d overview the struggle, work out the place he got here up brief, after which prepare for a rematch the place he introduced a brand new method. Regardless of shedding every bout, Harrison didn’t take the losses personally. The truth is, he says on his weblog, “I used to be overwhelmed every time by a superior fighter.”
Humble in defeat, he ultimately traveled to Bangkok to coach alongside his former nemesis, studying a few of his tips and changing into lifelong associates within the course of. This traditional trilogy and the perspective maintained all through it not solely reveals the significance of confidence and willpower, but it surely additionally reminds us to remain humble in defeat and settle for each alternative to enhance, even when it means apprenticing your self to a former foe.
Muangthai And The Most Insane Spherical In ONE Championship Historical past
Not solely did this legendary bout make it onto our “5 Of The Most Insane Fights In Muay Thai Historical past” record, but it surely was additionally the ONE Championship 2022 bout of the 12 months.
When Harrison stepped into the ONE Circle to face “The Elbow Zombie,” Muangthai PKSaenchaigym, everybody anticipated fireworks. Each males have been identified for throwing each weapon with unimaginable energy and have been notorious for his or her capability to flatline even essentially the most seasoned opponents with a single shot. What they delivered exceeded anybody’s expectations and never solely did Harrison win essentially the most memorable spherical of Muay Thai in current historical past he additionally carried out one of many best sporting comebacks of all time.
Harrison was dropped early within the first spherical by Muangthai who instantly adopted up and flattened him once more simply seconds after he beat the primary eight depend. On shaking legs, Harrison dug deep and beat the second depend. Then, combating fireplace with fireplace, he went toe to toe with the charging Muangthai and knocked the legendary Thai to the canvas 3 times within the subsequent couple of minutes to not solely win the bout but additionally a USD 100k efficiency bonus.
What These Fights Train Us About The Hitman
Liam Harrison is a real Muay Thai champion. Whereas some fighters are identified for mastering a single type or ability, “The Hitman” was capable of make the most of a full vary of Muay Thai weapons in his combating profession. He had devastating arms, debilitating low kicks, and luxurious timing which allowed him to land clear strikes with super energy, leading to over half of his victories coming by KO.
Whereas there’s a plethora of footage on-line for Nak Muays who wish to emulate Harrison’s expertise and methods, aspiring champions must also look past the bodily expertise that secured his legend standing and examine the sturdy psychological fortitude that he delivered to his struggle profession.
The fights now we have included on this article showcase two of the qualities that made “The Hitman” a real Muay Thai champion:
His Unshakable Self-Perception: Not solely made him a world champion, but it surely additionally fuelled him by means of setbacks to a number of the greatest wins of his profession. After being “obliterated” by Anuwat, Harrison didn’t let the loss fester. He instantly instructed himself that he might and would win a rematch and went out and proved it a 12 months later. It was this strong mindset that allowed him to face Saenchai 3 times in razor-close bouts and picked him up off the canvas, twice, earlier than the most important comeback in ONE Championship historical past.
His Fighter’s Coronary heart: Particularly within the face of gruelling bodily punishment was the second high quality that constructed Harrison’s enduring legacy.
Conclusion
Regardless of taking some extreme bodily punishment in a lot of his fights, “The Hitman” by no means shied away from an trade or relented to an opponent. Following his historic win over Anuwat, Harrison reportedly collapsed with a extreme concussion however followers watching the struggle stay and maybe Anuwat himself, would by no means have identified that any of the pictures he took in that struggle have been having any impact on him.
If Harrison hadn’t maintained this mindset all through his profession, we’d by no means have seen the traditional fights on this article, and he wouldn’t have turn into the famous person that we all know and love right this moment. If you wish to turn into a bona fide Muay Thai legend like him, you then’ll have to foster these qualities inside your self too.
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