‘I’m In Awe Of Him’ – Amber Kitchen Reveals What It’s Like To Train With Liam Harrison
Amber Kitchen wants to deliver an exciting performance in her ONE Championship return on Friday, August 26, and she’s had some great inspiration to make it happen.
Kitchen just wrapped up a portion of her training camp in Thailand, and now she’s finishing her preparation at the famous Bad Company gym in Leeds, England, ahead of her match with Diandra Martin on the lead card of ONE on Prime Video I: Moraes vs. Johnson II at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
After taking over head coaching duties at her family’s Touchgloves Gym in Cornwall, “AK 47” felt she needed to travel to be a student again. In the end, her travels took her up north to the home of Liam Harrison, who faces Nong-O Gaiyanghadao for the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title in the night’s co-main event.
She said:
“It was just really hard for me at my gym, to be the trainer and also train myself. So, I just thought I’d go try out different gyms around the country for when it’s my turn to fight.
“[Bad Company] was first on my tick list, and I just loved it. So, I’ll try and do the end of every camp there because I feel like that’s where I’m at my fittest and most technical, and they’re perfect. It’s amazing.”
Aside from Harrison, Bad Company’s head coach Richard Smith has helped dozens of athletes on their way to World Championship success, including ONE Championship veterans Andy Howson and Jacob Smith.
The strength in depth is what drew “AK 47” in, but it’s the gym’s culture that has persuaded her to return in the future.
Kitchen said:
“It is such a high-level gym, and it’s nice to see loads of people from ONE. But it’s a really funny atmosphere, so it doesn’t seem like you’re dreading training every time you go in. They’re all really welcoming. It’s all positive. I love every minute of it.”
How Liam Harrison Has Inspired Amber Kitchen For ONE Return
Getting the chance to train alongside Liam Harrison has been a huge boost for Amber Kitchen as she gets ready for her second promotional appearance.
Although “Hitman” just left for Thailand to finish his training camp, Kitchen learned a lot from the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title challenger during their time together at Bad Company.
The 23-year-old said:
“Being around him, I’m in awe of him, and he pushes me to train as hard as he does. And obviously seeing the level he is at, that’s where I want to be. So, I would sit and watch and take little bits from him. It’s amazing to be able to work alongside him. It’s so many people’s dream.”
Kitchen, Harrison, and Bad Company head coach Richard Smith will meet up during fight week as they prepare for their battles at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and being on the same bill has given “AK 47” even more motivation.
As well as promising her own aggressive performance, Kitchen thinks “Hitman” will be at his absolute best for his World Title challenge against the legendary Nong-O Gaiyanghadao.
She said:
“When I saw the card come through, I had just finished training, so I was on a high anyway. And then, I saw that. Obviously, the nerves hit me because it’s the biggest card I’ve ever seen. It’s such a privilege. I couldn’t believe I was on the same card as such big names.
“Liam’s fight definitely seems quite explosive, and he wants it, especially after his last fight when he just got on with it [after being knocked down] and came back. I think he is headstrong and that’s most of the battle with big fights like that, so I think he’ll do good.”
