‘I’m Going To Hurt Him’ – Liam Harrison Vows To Return In Knockout Form Against Katsuki Kitano At ONE 167
Fans can’t wait to see Liam “Hitman” Harrison back in action at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II on Prime Video, and nobody is more thrilled than the man himself.
Harrison hasn’t fought since August 2022 when he suffered a devastating knee injury against former bantamweight Muay Thai king Nong-O Hama, but he’s ready to bring back his unique brand of madness against Katsuki Kitano in U.S. primetime on Friday, June 7.
It’s been a long road back for the Leeds legend since his ill-fated ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title challenge, but he expects to perform at his best at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 38-year-old spoke to onefc.com ahead of his return:
“I’m looking forward to getting in there and turning the clocks back, doing what I used to do a couple of years ago, and just having wild fights.
“There are questions that need to be answered. Like am I going to come back as vicious? Will I still have that knockout power? And I’m going to answer those questions with a resounding yes. I’m going to come forward, get him on his back foot, and I’m going to hurt him.”
Harrison isn’t underestimating Kitano, who impressed with a win over Halil Kutukcu in his promotional debut last October.
But after facing the best of the best in “the art of eight limbs” over the past two decades, “Hitman” is confident that he has the style and experience to make it a rough day for the Japanese striker.
The three-time Muay Thai World Champion said:
“It looked like his elbows were dangerous and he was dangerous with his high kicks from the fight that I watched. But he looked like he struggled under pressure big time.
“And that’s what I do. I come forward. I’m an aggressive pressure fighter. Obviously, I’m going to have to be on my guard. He’s not a mug, and he’s got quite a few good weapons, but I’m going to come, and I’m going to try and blast him straight out of there.
“He’s a tough guy, and he’s a good name, he’s on a good winning streak, but he’s in my way. I wanna come back and show the fans that I’ve still got what it takes to hang at the top level.”
Harrison: ‘I’ve Got A Lot On The Line’
Liam Harrison is undoubtedly the bigger name in his upcoming clash with Katsuki Kitano, but that raises the stakes for both men.
Given his massive reputation in the Muay Thai world and his lengthy absence from the sport, “Hitman” represents a major opportunity for the surging Japanese athlete.
However, the Brit doesn’t want to be a stepping stone – and he’s still aiming for World Title gold:
“I know [Kitano] is going to be dangerous, and I know he’s going to want to make a name for himself off of my back.
“That’s the risk when you’re fighting some up-and-coming fighter – they want to take your scalp because it’ll propel them into stardom. So obviously, he’s got a lot on the line, but I’ve got a lot on the line as well.”
The best way for Harrison to prove he’s still elite is to deliver the kind of destructive display that fans have grown accustomed to.
Bursting with confidence after a fight camp with no injuries, “Hitman” feels certain that he will dispatch Kitano in style and show that this final leg of his illustrious career can be just as fruitful.
He added:
“It’s only going one way. I’m going to knock him out. I want to make a statement. That’s what the crowd wants to see – the ‘Hitman’ of old.
I’m not going to come in there and think, ‘Oh, it’s my first fight back. I’d better take this easy and just try to steal a win.’ People don’t pay their money to watch Liam Harrison fight for that to happen.
“You’re going to get Liam Harrison’s muay mat style: hard punches, hard kicks, walking forward, and there’ll be a bit of action and a bit of drama, I’m sure.”
