‘I Can Knock Out And Stop This Man’ – Tyson Harrison Ready To Beat Seksan Or. Kwanmuang, Fulfill Late Coach’s Dream
Tyson Harrison’s ONE Championship debut is the kind of matchup that could make him a fan favorite.
This Friday, January 20, the hard-hitting Australian is scheduled to face Thai icon Seksan Or. Kwanmuang in a 140-pound catchweight Muay Thai contest at ONE Friday Fights 1, and the respective styles of both men give the contest all the makings of an instant classic.
Although the legend has a healthy experience advantage, Harrison intends to bring everything he’s got to the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium and prove that he can compete with the sport’s elite on the biggest stage possible.
Eager to make a solid first impression, the 22-year-old said:
“It’s definitely been a dream of mine [to sign with ONE] since the start, especially being so young. It’s come to life now.
“It means the world to me. I am so grateful for this opportunity. A lot of people do not believe that I can get in the ring with this person. To me, it’s just the fight game, and I’m ready to take on whoever’s in front of me.”
Seksan earned his reputation as one of the most exciting fighters in “the art of eight limbs” due to his never-back-down style and ruthless aggression.
Using these traits to win multiple Muay Thai World Titles, the local favorite is a fearsome challenge for most of his opponents. But Harrison refuses to be intimidated by the decorated 33-year-old legend’s aura.
He said:
“I can’t step back. He’s not going to cower up like some of these fighters. If you hit him, he drops, and then he’s up again. He’s going at you non-stop, walking forward. But yeah, I’m ready. I believe I can do this, for sure.
“I think it’s a very good stylistic matchup for me because I’m obviously a very tall fighter. As long as I don’t get hit with those hard punches, I feel I can kick him apart and score, at least.
“I’m going to make his body shut down. That’s what I’m aiming to do. Honestly, I feel I can knock out and stop this man.”
Tyson Harrison Motivated By Deceased Coach Sangtiennoi’s Words
This is the biggest fight of Tyson Harrison’s life, but he feels like he has been mentally preparing for it for a long time.
The Australian lives and trains out of Sangtiennoi Gym just north of Bangkok, and before his legendary trainer Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj – known as P’Tu to his students – died in 2021, he marked Seksan Or. Kwanmuang out as a future opponent for his young charge.
Harrison explained:
“It’s funny, actually. When P’Tu Sangtiennoi was alive, when I won the MX championship, P’Tu was saying to me, ‘Oh, you can fight Seksan. You can fight these big fighters.’ And I was sitting back like, ‘Wow, you really see that in me?’ It was hard for me to believe that.
“Maybe at that time I wasn’t good enough and ready, but now, I’m strong. I’m really ready to fight anyone. I think it’s very good timing.
“This is going to skyrocket my name when I show what I can do against someone with this much heart and experience, and someone this strong.”
With the words of his iconic coach still ringing in his ears, Harrison wants to do Sangtiennoi proud, and that’s what will fuel him when he steps into the ring on January 20.
Seksan is known as “The Man Who Yields To No One,” but with a point to prove to his deceased mentor, the Aussie plans to take that mantle and put on a show to remember at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
He said:
“I can promise you, I’m going to give it everything. I have to just be true to myself. I want to fight for P’Tu Sangtiennoi, who passed away.
“It was his dream as well for me to fight in ONE and for me to fight Seksan. It’s going to really work out. I promise to give everything, and I’ll show why I belong in this sport.”
