ONE Championship striking icon Superlek Kiatmookao has lauded the retiring “legend” Liam Harrison as an example for future generations of Muay Thai fighters.
“The Hitman” called it a day after getting finished by his fellow veteran Seksan Or Kwanmuang in the ONE 168 co-main event in Denver on September 6.
A pioneer of British Muay Thai, 38-year-old Englishman Harrison laid his gloves down on the canvas and later admitted he knew he could no longer compete with the best in ONE.
Superlek congratulated his countryman Seksan in the hallways of the Ball Arena mere moments before heading out to the Circle himself, where he knocked out Jonathan Haggerty in 49 seconds to win the bantamweight Muay Thai title.
It would have been a bittersweet moment for Thailand’s “Kicking Machine”, who travelled with Seksan to the United States and trained with him all week in Colorado, but has a long history and friendship with former Yokkao teammate Harrison.
“Liam is the best,” Superlek told the Bangkok Post backstage at the event, when asked for his thoughts on Harrion’s final fight in ONE.
“Don’t be sad, I believe that Liam is a legend. He’s a good example and a role model for all of the future fighters.”
Seksan also had plenty of kind words for his opponent after sharing an exciting war with Harrison that thrilled Ball Arena judging by the noise coming from the crowd.
“The Man Who Yields To No One” ended the fight with a third knockdown in the second round, sealing a TKO win and sending Harrison off into the sunset.
“I am extremely happy and extremely grateful that Liam chose me to be his final fight,” Seksan said during the ONE 168 post event press conference backstage.
“I absolutely love him and he is an absolute legend of the sport.”
