Liam Harrison

Biography

Born on 5th October 1985 in Leeds, England, Liam Harrison is one of the top English fighters in Muay Thai and kickboxing. Under influence from 5-time world champion, Andy Howson and his cousin, Harrison started training in Muay Thai at the age of 13 at the Bad Company Thai Boxing Gym in his hometown which he continues to fight out of to this day. Since joining Bad Company, he has been training under Richard Smith (currently his manager and trainer) who was a British Commonwealth and European kickboxing Champion. 

Fight Career

As befits his nickname of “the hitman”, Harrison has over 40 wins ending in KO with powerhouse punches and deadly low kicks. He is a 3-time Leeds Sports Federation Sportsman of the Year between 2004 to 2008 as well as recipient of the Muay Siam Magazine Foreign Fighter of the Year in 2007. Over his career, Harrison has fought the likes of Saenchai, Anuwat Kaewsamrit and Sagetdao Petpayathai.

Harrison made his amateur debut at the age of 14, and shortly after, his professional debut at 15. At the latter, he defeated his opponent, Martin Shivnan via knockout in a mere 30 seconds of the fight. Following his professional win and debut, he went on an undefeated run between 2000 to 2004. During which, he claimed 3 belts to his name including S.I.M.T.A. Muaythai super featherweight Northern Area champion in 2001, W.A.K.O. Pro low-kick kickboxing world champion in 2004, and then the S.I.M.T.A. Muaythai lightweight European champion in 2005.

On 21st August 2005, Harrison’s undefeated run came to a halt when he made his Thailand debut at Rajadamnern Stadium where he faced native fighter, Witthayanoi Sitkuanem. The loss only served to motivate Harrison to improve his game and he moved to train at Jitti Gym in Bangkok, where his mentor had also trained during his own professional career. Within a month, he faced Russian kickboxing star, Dzhabar Askerov at Patong Stadium. Askerov lost the fight on disqualification in the fourth round and Harrison claimed his first win on Thai soil that day to take home the Patong Stadium Muaythai super welterweight belt (68 kg), which was way above his usual fight weight at 63 kg. 

For the next five years from 2006 to 2010, Harrison spent his time between Thailand and UK fighting in various venues and promotions. In 2006, he claimed for himself another world title by beating Japanese fighter Masamitsu Hirashima via decision to bring home the W.P.M.F. Muay Thai World Title at 63.5 kg. Then in 2007, he bagged the prestigious WMC Muay Thai Lightweight World Champion which he held for 2 years until losing it to four time Rajadamnern Stadium champion, Anuwat Kaewsamrit in 2009.

Since 2011, Harrison devoted his time to fighting around the world in countries such as USA, Italy, Macau, Japan, China and back at home in England where he is based. He made his YOKKAO promotions debut with YOKKAO 8 back in 2014 where he fought and defeated French fighter Houcine Bennoui. By then, Harrison has added another world title to his name with the WBC World Champion (147 lbs). On 19th March 2016, he faced Tetsuya Yamato in the ring at Bolton’s Macron stadium in an intense and closely-matched fight for the YOKKAO World Title at 65 kg. After 5 rounds of explosive action, Harrison took home the win and the belt over decision.

On 25th March 2017, Harrison’s YOKKAO world champion belt was put on the line at YOKKAO 24 for his first title defense against the young French Thai boxer, Rayan Mekki. Harrison got caught with an elbow that resulted in a cut on the forehead early in round one. However, he reciprocated with a series of connecting hooks to Mekki’s head in round three, ending the fight with a strong right hook TKO, to successfully retain the belt.

Harrison’s fight records stand at 106 fights with 83 wins, 21 losses and 2 draws. 

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