British Muay Thai star Liam Harrison has spent much of the last two years in rehab after suffering a debilitating knee injury in his last ONE Championship outing. But now he’s back and raring for a battle at ONE 168: Denver.
Harrison is set to meet Thai veteran Seksan Or Kwanmuang in a 140-pound catchweight Muay Thai affair next Saturday, September 7 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado in a bout many fans are calling a dream fight between two of the sport’s most prolific finishers.
“Hitman” is well aware of what he’s facing against his upcoming foe, who has over 275 fights to his name, and has planned accordingly. But the Leeds native confesses that all preparation may go by the wayside when they clash, which he’s more than happy with.
“We’ve got a few game plans ready for when he goes into war mode. But, to be honest, when he starts going to war, I’ll be comfortable going to war with him. I’ll probably get told off in the corner by my coach, but I don’t really care to be honest with you,” Harrison admitted.
“At this point in my career, I’m going to do what I want to do. If I enjoy it, and the fans enjoy it, I honestly don’t care if I win or lose. I just want to get in there, enjoy myself, and make sure all the fans – everyone that has bought a ticket and everyone watching at home – get to watch two old war dogs collide in a great fight.”
Seksan won eight consecutive contests upon his arrival in ONE last year, making him the epitome of a showstopper. Even when “The Man Who Yields To No One” would eat a heavy punch, he’d keep pressing forward.
While that approach has served him well in the world’s largest martial arts organisation, Harrison believes it could be a recipe for disaster in their showdown.
The 38-year-old admits that he admires Seksan and has been gunning for a fight with him for some time. But he’s looking for two things in Denver – a finish and a firefight – so all sentimentality will be left outside the Circle when they collide.
“I’m looking to be the first guy to knock him out in ONE Championship. Only one person has stopped Seksan before and that was years ago. No one else has come close to looking like doing it,” Harrison said.
“He hasn’t fought anyone who hits anywhere near as sharp and as hard as I do in ONE, and he’s been wobbled before. If he starts leaving himself wide open, I’ll just check him straight out of there. I can knock anyone out with one shot.
“I just see it being one of the fights of the year. He’s one of my heroes, and I’ve always wanted to share the ring with him. So I’m going to make the most of it. Both fighters are going to put everything on the line, and the best man will win on the night.”
