Liam Harrison: The Hitman’s Best Fights and Biography
Liam Harrison is widely regarded as the greatest English Muay Thai fighter of all time and one of the greatest non-Thai fighters in the sport’s history. Renowned for his lightning-fast low kicks, “The Hitman” has secured major victories on the global stage, even challenging the legendary Saenchai’s undefeated record against non-Thai fighters in the same weight class.
From his humble beginnings in Leeds, a city famous for its rich industrial history and vibrant cultural scene, Harrison has risen to become a legendary figure in Muay Thai.
| Birth Name: | Liam Harrison |
| Date of Birth: | 5 October 1985 |
| Nickname: | The Hitman |
| Nationality: | English |
| Height: | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Weight: | 65.8 kg (145 lb; 10.36 st) |
| Reach: | 68.5 in (174 cm) |
| Divisions: | Welterweight, Light welterweight, Lightweight |
| Style: | Muay Thai |
| Fighting out of: | Leeds, England |
| Team: | Bad Company Thai Boxing Gym (England), Jitti Gym (Thailand) |
| Trainer: | Richard Smith |
Harrison was born in Leeds, England, in 1985. He began his Muay Thai journey at the age of 13 when his cousin, Andy Howson, encouraged him to train with him at the Bad Company Gym in Leeds.
Under the tutelage of Richard Smith, a former British, Commonwealth and European champion, Harrison made his amateur debut at the age of 14, and his professional debut just before his 15th birthday, knocking out Martin Shivnan in just 30 seconds.
This impressive start led to a series of victories, culminating in his first title win – the S.I.M.T.A. Northern Area Title – against Abdul Arif.
Rising Through the Ranks
In late 2004, at the age of 19, Harrison travelled to Italy to compete for the W.A.K.O. Low-Kick Kickboxing World Title. Despite a last-minute change of opponent, he won the match by technical knockout against Emannuel Di Profetis, becoming a world champion.
Back home, Harrison continued his winning streak, claiming the European version of the S.I.M.T.A. belt and defeating notable opponents such as Mohamed Ajuou and Abdoulaye M’baye.
His unbeaten run continued until his Thai debut in August 2005, where he suffered a split decision loss to Witthayanoi Sitkuanem at Rajadamnern Stadium. This was followed by a second consecutive loss to Duwao Kongudom, a highly rated Omnoi Stadium champion.
Triumphs in Thailand and Beyond
Undeterred by recent setbacks, Harrison returned to Thailand later in 2005 and claimed the Patong Stadium belt at 68 kg by defeating Dzhabar Askerov. In 2006, he won the W.P.M.F. Light Welterweight Title and defended his Patong Stadium 68kg Title, earning the “Leeds Sports Federation Sportsman of the Year” award.
Harrison spent much of 2007 in Thailand, training at Jitti Gym in Bangkok and fighting in both local shows and in major stadiums like Lumpinee.
While stationed at Jitti Gym, Harrison found himself unexpectedly thrust into his first professional boxing match in Cambodia. Despite having just returned from two weeks of rest and recuperation in Leeds and having never competed in professional boxing, Harrison initially declined the fight. However, when his trainer Jitti offered him double the pay of a Muay Thai bout, Harrison agreed.
Accustomed to fighting at 62kg, Harrison was told the boxing match would be fought at 65kg. Upon arriving in Cambodia, Harrison stepped on the scales to check his weight before the official weigh-in and discovered he weighed 67kg. He was then informed that the bout would take place at 69kg – 7kg above Harrison’s best fighting weight.
In the first round, Harrison endured heavy punches and suffered a broken nose from his much bigger Cambodian opponent, Chey Kosal. Despite his concerns, Harrison marched on and knocked Kosal out cold in the second round, only to face biased officiating where the referee slow-counted and revived Kosal. Harrison knocked Kosal down again in rounds four and six, yet the referee continued to favour the local fighter and refused to end the fight.
Despite these challenges, Harrison was awarded a points victory by the judges after six rounds. He vowed never to fight in Cambodia again, even when Jitti tempted him with double the money for another bout in the “Kingdom of Wonder,” just two weeks later.
Harrison ended 2007 by avenging a loss he’d suffered earlier that year against Namphon PK Stereo, defeating him with a left hook knockout in the 4th round.
Harrison won 7 fights out of 9 that year, capturing the W.M.C. Lightweight World Title and being named Muay Siam Magazine’s Top Foreign Fighter for 2007.
Continued Success and Challenges
In 2008, Harrison defended his W.M.C. Lightweight World Title and continued to fight on Bad Company promoted shows in Leeds, winning three out of three fights against foreign opposition. However, 2009 brought fresh challenges, including a loss to Saenchai Sor Kingstar in London and a TKO defeat by Anuwat Kaewsamrit in Jamaica, which resulted in Harrison losing his W.M.C. belt.
Although Harrison defeated Jadeechai Sor Khamsing via low kicks at Lumpinee Stadium earlier in the year, it ended on a disappointing note with a defeat against the Thai phenom Sagetdao Petpayathai in November.
Fighting legendary figures such as Saenchai and Sagetdao at their peak was a step-up in competition for the man from Leeds. It is particularly ironic that Liam Harrison’s signature move and finisher, the low kick, was the very technique that led to his downfall in the third round against Anuwat Kaewsamrit.
Harrison did not take kindly to being bested with his own weapon and sought revenge by challenging Anuwat to a rematch 9 months later.
Determined to bounce back, a 24 year-old Harrison avenged his loss to Anuwat Kaewsamrit in March 2010, winning by unanimous decision.
In 2011, Harrison faced rematches with past opponents Saenchai Sor Kingstar and Petaswin
Seatranferry, but lost both bouts. This second bout with Saenchai was an extremely close contest, with many spectators on the night expecting to see Harrison’s hand raised after the final bell had rung. However, the veteran from Maha Sarakham Province prevailed once again, maintaining his perfect record against foreign opposition.
Major Victories and Transition to ONE Championship
On March 31, 2012, Harrison achieved a significant victory by systematically dismantling Andrei Kulebin with his famous low kicks, causing the experienced Belarusian to retire in round three.
Later that year, he faced Saenchai for the third time, losing by unanimous decision. Although Harrison lost all three contests against Saenchai, he was the only foreigner to give Saenchai a significant challenge when weighing in at the same weight. Their first fight took place at 135 lbs, their second at 140 lbs, and their third at 143 lbs. This contrasts with many of Saenchai’s other fights against foreigners, where he gives up a couple of pounds to make the contest fairer.
In 2013, Harrison competed in Glory Kickboxing and MAX Muay Thai, culminating in three losses against Mosab Amrani, Masaaki Noiri, and Sagetdao Petpayathai, respectively. He ended his four-fight losing streak in November 2013 with a unanimous decision victory over Dylan Salvador.
In March 2014, Harrison made his debut with Yokkao, winning a points victory against Houcine Bennoui. He went on to secure the vacant Yokkao 65kg title against Tetsuya Yamato, despite earlier losses to two of the best Thai fighters on the circuit, Pakorn PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym and Singdam Kiatmoo9.
Over the next two years, Harrison won seven out of eight fights, three of which came by way of TKO.
In 2018, at the age of 32, Harrison signed a non-exclusive deal with ONE Championship. Despite initial losses to two experienced Thai champions, Phetmorakot Wor Sangprapai and Rodlek Jaotalaytong, he secured a first-round KO victory against Mohammed Bin Mahmoud at ONE: A New Tomorrow.
At ONE Championship 156, Harrison was involved in a bout that will be remembered as one of the most thrilling in Muay Thai history. Facing Muangthai PK. Saenchai, Harrison was dropped twice in the very first round by a head kick and a left hand, putting him on the brink of a TKO loss. According to ONE’s rules, a third knockdown in the same round would have ended the fight.
Despite the dire situation, Harrison rose to his feet and scored his first knockdown with a right hand, noticing immediately that he had hurt Muangthai significantly.
Keeping up the pressure, Harrison knocked Muangthai down yet again within the same round. With less than a minute remaining, he secured the final knockdown to win the fight.
This victory not only earned Harrison a double $100,000 performance bonus but also set him up for a title shot against the legendary Muay Femur, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao.
Recent Fights and Upcoming Challenges
Harrison faced Nong-O Gaiyanghadao for the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship in August 2022 but lost due to low kicks that caused a serious re-occuring injury to Harrison’s knee.
After a 16-month hiatus due to injury, Harrison was set to face John Lineker in January 2024, but his knee injury prevented the bout. Another scheduled fight against Katsuki Kitano in June 2024 was also removed after a weigh-in error which later saw Harrison fully compensated.
Harrison is now scheduled to face one of his Muay Thai idols, Saeksan Or. Kwanmuang, in September 2024 at ONE 168.
Liam Harrison Legacy
Liam Harrison is undoubtedly one of the pioneers of Muay Thai outside of Thailand. From early triumphs in the UK to major victories in Thailand and on the international stage, “The Hitman” has entertained and educated millions over the course of 118 bouts, including 91 wins and 50 knockouts.
To this day, Harrison is the only foreign fighter who has posed a significant threat to ‘prime’ Saenchai’s undefeated record against non-Thai opponents at the same weight.
Harrison’s fighting career, spanning 25 years, is marked by an impressive number of fights and victories against some of the biggest names in both foreign and Thai circles. The prospect of sharing the ring with his idol, Seksan Or Kwanmuang, in September 2024 represents the perfect culmination of his distinguished career. This final bout allows Harrison to lay down his gloves in the most honourable manner, alongside a legend and an inspiration.
Harrison continues to coach Muay Thai seminars all over the world, and runs an online training portal at LiamHarrisonTraining.com, where he and a host of top fighters and coaches disseminate their knowledge and skills to members.
