Liam Harrison (kickboxer)
Encyclopedia
Liam "The Hitman" Harrison (born 5 October 1985) is an English
light welterweight
Muay Thai
kickboxer currently fighting out of Bad Company in Leeds
(when based in the UK
) and Jitti Gym in Bangkok
(when fighting in Thailand
). A very popular fighter who fights with great heart and possesses knockout power, Liam has fought some of the world's best having faced the likes of Saenchai Sor Kingstar
, Anuwat Kaewsamrit
and Numphon PK Sterio. He is a four time world champion in both kickboxing
and Muay Thai
, which includes holding the prestigious W.M.C. belt.
, Liam first started training in Muay Thai
aged 13, when he joined the Bad Company gym in Harehills
– a tough neighbourhood in the north-east of the city. At the Bad Company gym he trained under the tutelage of Richard Smith (still his current trainer) who was a former British, Commonwealth and European kickboxing
champion. Liam was large for his age and made his amateur debut aged 14, winning in a no head contact fight. He made his pro debut not much later, just shy of his fifteenth birthday, defeating Martin Shivnan via knockout
after around 30 seconds. Success on his pro debut lead to a number of victories on the local scene culminating in a bout for the S.I.M.T.A. Northern Area title, which he promptly won against opponent Abdul Arif, again by first round knockout.
Between 2000 and 2004 Liam established himself as the top fighter in the United Kingdom
in his weight class, having moved up from featherweight
(52 kg/114.4 lbs
) to light welterweight
(63.5 kg/139.7 lbs
) and having beaten domestic and international competition including the likes of Ait Said Aberderahman, Preechapon Por Nuongubon, Satoruvasikoba and had fought as far afield as Japan
. At the end of 2004, Liam travelled to Italy
where he was supposed to face reigning champion Massimo Rizzoli for his W.A.K.O.
low-kick kickboxing
world title, although an injury suffered by Rizzoli meant that Liam would face the W.A.K.O. European champion Emannuel Di Profetis instead. Despite the late change of opponent and fighting in a rule set different from Muay Thai
, Liam won the match by technical knockout to become world champion aged just 19 years old.
Victory in Italy was quickly followed by success at home when Liam defeated the Dutch
based kickboxer Mohamed Ajuou to claim the European version of the S.I.M.T.A. belt (Liam had won a regional title back in 2000). As a world champion the competition got tougher but Liam kept winning, defeating European level fighters in Abdoulaye M'baye and Benzouaoua Hakim as well as fighting in Japan
where he defeated Hiromasa Masuda in a rematch from 2003 and was still undefeated going into 2005. He made his Thai
debut in August of that year, losing a split decision
to Witthayanoi Sitkuanem at the famous Rajadamnern Stadium
in what was the first defeat of his pro career. Liam suffered his second consecutive loss a few months later on his return to England, losing to another Thai in Duwao Kongudom who was a highly rated Omnoi Stadium champion, in a match in Wolverhampton
.
Despite suffering two defeats including losing his Thai debut, Liam was unperturbed by the experience and headed back to Thailand
at the end of 2005. He won his first title on Thai soil by defeating a much bigger Russian opponent to claim the Patong Stadium belt at 68 kg (149.6 kg
). Having gained his first victory in Thailand, Liam strung together five victories in the country throughout 2006 which included winning another world title – this time the W.P.M.F. light welterweight belt against reigning champion Masa Hiroshima - as well as retaining his Patong stadium title. He also rematched Witthayanoi Sitkuanem but was once again unsuccessful. That year Liam also received recognition from outside of the Muay Thai and kickboxing world, winning the "Leeds Sports Federation Sportsman of the Year" award.
Throughout 2007 Liam fought primarily in Thailand
, basing himself at the Jitti Gym in Bangkok
. He fought a number of bouts at the major stadiums including at the world renowned Lumpinee Stadium, managing to successful defend his W.P.M.F. world title two times that year. He also made brief forays back to the United Kingdom
, facing W.M.C. world champion Numphon PK Sterio two times that year. Liam lost the first match between the pair, but won the second in Manchester
in November via a fourth round KO
, picking up his biggest victory up to that point as well as winning the W.M.C. lightweight world title – arguably Muay Thai's most prestigious honour. He was also named as the Muay Siam magazine's top foreign fighter of the year.
In 2008 Liam fought a number of bouts at Bad Company promoted shows in his home town of Leeds
, defeating the likes of Benabdeljelil Mehdi and Masaru Ito. He also retained his W.M.C. lightweight world title by stopping Sarmsamut Kiatchongkao in June of that year. The following year Liam would face extremely stiff competition as he faced the likes of Saenchai Sor Kingstar
and Anuwat Kaewsamrit
. Liam did well against Saenchai but came up short against arguably the world's pound for pound best fighter in Muay Thai, losing a decision in their matchup in London. He then headed to Jamaica to face another legend in Anuwat, being defeated via TKO to the "Hands of Siam" and losing his W.M.C. world title in what was a first ever stoppage loss for Liam.
The Hitman would gain revenge against Anuwat Kaewsamrit
in March of 2010, defeating him by unanimous decision
over five rounds in their rematch in Manchester. Although Anuwat was not as dominant a force as he had been a few years previously, he was still a strong fighter and Liam's best victory up to date. He would also have the chance to enhance his name by entering the inaugural Thai Fight competition, a knock out event involving sixteen of the world's best Muay Thai fighters at 67 kg/147.4 lbs
with a first place prize of 2,000,000 Baht (around $62,000). Despite being one of the smaller fighters at the tournament (Liam usually fought around 63 kg/138.6 kg) he went into the event with some confidence, and so it proved as he outworked the Iranian
Behzan Rafighdoust in his first match forcing him to quit in the second round. Going into the quarter finals Liam then knocked out Soishiro Miyakoshi with a barrage of vicious elbows. This victory was bittersweet however, as Liam was disqualified from the tournament for coming in over the weight – something he insisted was the result of a sickness he caught prior to the match.
In 2011 Liam had two rematches against opponents who had defeated him in the past. He came up short in both of them losing to arguably the world's best Muay Thai fighter in Saenchai Sor Kingstar
in a match where he proved he could hang with the best, and suffering a second defeat to Petaswin Seatranferry who had defeated him at an event in Glasgow
the previous year.
Awards
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
light welterweight
Light welterweight
-Professional boxing:The light welterweight class is a weight division in professional boxing that has a limit of 63.5 kg or 140 pounds...
Muay Thai
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...
kickboxer currently fighting out of Bad Company in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
(when based in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
) and Jitti Gym in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
(when fighting in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
). A very popular fighter who fights with great heart and possesses knockout power, Liam has fought some of the world's best having faced the likes of Saenchai Sor Kingstar
Saenchai Sor Kingstar
Saenchai Sinbimuaythai , formerly known as Saenchai Sor Kingstar, is a Thai Muay Thai kickboxer. He won the Lumpinee Championship title in three different weight divisions, therefore he is considered one of the best pound for pound Muay Thai fighters in the world.Saenchai would often give up...
, Anuwat Kaewsamrit
Anuwat Kaewsamrit
Anuwat Kaewsamrit is a Thai Muay Thai kickboxer and a former Lumpini and four time Rajadamnern Stadium champion who used to fight out of Kaewsamrit Gym in Bangkok...
and Numphon PK Sterio. He is a four time world champion in both kickboxing
Kickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
and Muay Thai
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...
, which includes holding the prestigious W.M.C. belt.
Career/Biography
Brought up in his hometown of LeedsLeeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, Liam first started training in Muay Thai
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...
aged 13, when he joined the Bad Company gym in Harehills
Harehills
Harehills is an inner-city area of east Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is approximately north east of Leeds city centre. Harehills is situated between the A58 and the A64 .- Overview :...
– a tough neighbourhood in the north-east of the city. At the Bad Company gym he trained under the tutelage of Richard Smith (still his current trainer) who was a former British, Commonwealth and European kickboxing
Kickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
champion. Liam was large for his age and made his amateur debut aged 14, winning in a no head contact fight. He made his pro debut not much later, just shy of his fifteenth birthday, defeating Martin Shivnan via knockout
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
after around 30 seconds. Success on his pro debut lead to a number of victories on the local scene culminating in a bout for the S.I.M.T.A. Northern Area title, which he promptly won against opponent Abdul Arif, again by first round knockout.
Between 2000 and 2004 Liam established himself as the top fighter in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in his weight class, having moved up from featherweight
Featherweight
Featherweight is a weight class division in the sport of boxing. There are similarly named divisions under several Mixed Martial Arts organizations and in Greco-Roman wrestling.-Professional boxing:...
(52 kg/114.4 lbs
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
) to light welterweight
Light welterweight
-Professional boxing:The light welterweight class is a weight division in professional boxing that has a limit of 63.5 kg or 140 pounds...
(63.5 kg/139.7 lbs
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
) and having beaten domestic and international competition including the likes of Ait Said Aberderahman, Preechapon Por Nuongubon, Satoruvasikoba and had fought as far afield as Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. At the end of 2004, Liam travelled to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
where he was supposed to face reigning champion Massimo Rizzoli for his W.A.K.O.
World Association of Kickboxing Organizations
The World Association of Kickboxing Organisations is one the international organization of kickboxing, and the governing body of Amateur kickboxing sport certified by SportAccord...
low-kick kickboxing
Kickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
world title, although an injury suffered by Rizzoli meant that Liam would face the W.A.K.O. European champion Emannuel Di Profetis instead. Despite the late change of opponent and fighting in a rule set different from Muay Thai
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...
, Liam won the match by technical knockout to become world champion aged just 19 years old.
Victory in Italy was quickly followed by success at home when Liam defeated the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
based kickboxer Mohamed Ajuou to claim the European version of the S.I.M.T.A. belt (Liam had won a regional title back in 2000). As a world champion the competition got tougher but Liam kept winning, defeating European level fighters in Abdoulaye M'baye and Benzouaoua Hakim as well as fighting in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
where he defeated Hiromasa Masuda in a rematch from 2003 and was still undefeated going into 2005. He made his Thai
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
debut in August of that year, losing a split decision
Split decision
A split decision is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and others sports involving striking in which two of the three judges score for the same fighter as the winner, while the third judge scores for the other...
to Witthayanoi Sitkuanem at the famous Rajadamnern Stadium
Rajadamnern Stadium
Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium or, in Thai, Sanam Muay Rajadamnern , is an indoor sporting arena located in Bangkok, Thailand. Along with Lumpinee Stadium, the Rajadamnern is one of the two main stadiums for modern Muay Thai...
in what was the first defeat of his pro career. Liam suffered his second consecutive loss a few months later on his return to England, losing to another Thai in Duwao Kongudom who was a highly rated Omnoi Stadium champion, in a match in Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
.
Despite suffering two defeats including losing his Thai debut, Liam was unperturbed by the experience and headed back to Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
at the end of 2005. He won his first title on Thai soil by defeating a much bigger Russian opponent to claim the Patong Stadium belt at 68 kg (149.6 kg
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
). Having gained his first victory in Thailand, Liam strung together five victories in the country throughout 2006 which included winning another world title – this time the W.P.M.F. light welterweight belt against reigning champion Masa Hiroshima - as well as retaining his Patong stadium title. He also rematched Witthayanoi Sitkuanem but was once again unsuccessful. That year Liam also received recognition from outside of the Muay Thai and kickboxing world, winning the "Leeds Sports Federation Sportsman of the Year" award.
Throughout 2007 Liam fought primarily in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, basing himself at the Jitti Gym in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
. He fought a number of bouts at the major stadiums including at the world renowned Lumpinee Stadium, managing to successful defend his W.P.M.F. world title two times that year. He also made brief forays back to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, facing W.M.C. world champion Numphon PK Sterio two times that year. Liam lost the first match between the pair, but won the second in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
in November via a fourth round KO
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
, picking up his biggest victory up to that point as well as winning the W.M.C. lightweight world title – arguably Muay Thai's most prestigious honour. He was also named as the Muay Siam magazine's top foreign fighter of the year.
In 2008 Liam fought a number of bouts at Bad Company promoted shows in his home town of Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, defeating the likes of Benabdeljelil Mehdi and Masaru Ito. He also retained his W.M.C. lightweight world title by stopping Sarmsamut Kiatchongkao in June of that year. The following year Liam would face extremely stiff competition as he faced the likes of Saenchai Sor Kingstar
Saenchai Sor Kingstar
Saenchai Sinbimuaythai , formerly known as Saenchai Sor Kingstar, is a Thai Muay Thai kickboxer. He won the Lumpinee Championship title in three different weight divisions, therefore he is considered one of the best pound for pound Muay Thai fighters in the world.Saenchai would often give up...
and Anuwat Kaewsamrit
Anuwat Kaewsamrit
Anuwat Kaewsamrit is a Thai Muay Thai kickboxer and a former Lumpini and four time Rajadamnern Stadium champion who used to fight out of Kaewsamrit Gym in Bangkok...
. Liam did well against Saenchai but came up short against arguably the world's pound for pound best fighter in Muay Thai, losing a decision in their matchup in London. He then headed to Jamaica to face another legend in Anuwat, being defeated via TKO to the "Hands of Siam" and losing his W.M.C. world title in what was a first ever stoppage loss for Liam.
The Hitman would gain revenge against Anuwat Kaewsamrit
Anuwat Kaewsamrit
Anuwat Kaewsamrit is a Thai Muay Thai kickboxer and a former Lumpini and four time Rajadamnern Stadium champion who used to fight out of Kaewsamrit Gym in Bangkok...
in March of 2010, defeating him by unanimous decision
Unanimous decision
A unanimous decision is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and others sports involving striking in which all three judges agree on which fighter won the match....
over five rounds in their rematch in Manchester. Although Anuwat was not as dominant a force as he had been a few years previously, he was still a strong fighter and Liam's best victory up to date. He would also have the chance to enhance his name by entering the inaugural Thai Fight competition, a knock out event involving sixteen of the world's best Muay Thai fighters at 67 kg/147.4 lbs
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
with a first place prize of 2,000,000 Baht (around $62,000). Despite being one of the smaller fighters at the tournament (Liam usually fought around 63 kg/138.6 kg) he went into the event with some confidence, and so it proved as he outworked the Iranian
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
Behzan Rafighdoust in his first match forcing him to quit in the second round. Going into the quarter finals Liam then knocked out Soishiro Miyakoshi with a barrage of vicious elbows. This victory was bittersweet however, as Liam was disqualified from the tournament for coming in over the weight – something he insisted was the result of a sickness he caught prior to the match.
In 2011 Liam had two rematches against opponents who had defeated him in the past. He came up short in both of them losing to arguably the world's best Muay Thai fighter in Saenchai Sor Kingstar
Saenchai Sor Kingstar
Saenchai Sinbimuaythai , formerly known as Saenchai Sor Kingstar, is a Thai Muay Thai kickboxer. He won the Lumpinee Championship title in three different weight divisions, therefore he is considered one of the best pound for pound Muay Thai fighters in the world.Saenchai would often give up...
in a match where he proved he could hang with the best, and suffering a second defeat to Petaswin Seatranferry who had defeated him at an event in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
the previous year.
Titles/Awards
Titles- 2011 WBC Muaythai (147 lbs) International champion
- 2007-09 W.M.C. Muaythai lightweight world champion -61.5 kg (1 title defense)
- 2006-07 W.P.M.F. Muaythai world champion -63.5 kg (2 title defenses - vacated)
- 2006 Patong Stadium Muaythai super welterweight champion -68 kg (1 title defense)
- 2005 S.I.M.T.A. Muaythai lightweight European champion -61.5 kg
- 2004 W.A.K.O. ProWorld Association of Kickboxing OrganizationsThe World Association of Kickboxing Organisations is one the international organization of kickboxing, and the governing body of Amateur kickboxing sport certified by SportAccord...
low-kick kickboxing world champion -62 kg - 2001 S.I.M.T.A. Muaythai super featherweight Northern Area champion -52 kg
Awards
- 2007/08 Leeds Sports Federation Sportsman of the Year winner
- 2007 Muay Siam Magazine Foreign Fighter of the Year winner
- 2006/07 Leeds Sports Federation Sportsman of the Year winner
- 2004/05 Leeds Sports Federation Sportsman of the Year runner up
Kickboxing Record
| Kickboxing Record | |
|---|---|
Legend: |
|